Are you aged 13½–18 and looking to challenge yourself, gain vital skills, and support younger Scouts? Whether you’re working towards your Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the King’s Scout Award, or just want to volunteer, we want your help at the 41st Epping Forest!
Young Leaders are Explorer Scouts who volunteer alongside adult leaders in Beaver, Cub, or Scout sections. They help run activities and support younger members.
Learn real leadership skills – through training and hands-on experience.
Support your DofE or King’s Scout Award – volunteering counts towards your award.
Earn badges and recognition – including mission badges and a Young Leader belt buckle.
Make a difference – help inspire and develop younger Scouts.
1. Join the Explorer Scout Young Leaders’ Scheme
You’ll take part in 11 training modules that develop your leadership, planning, and communication skills. The first module – “Prepare for take-off” – must be completed within three months of starting.
2. Support your DofE or King’s Scout Award
If you’re doing DofE or a similar award, this scheme counts towards the Volunteering section – even if you’re not currently a member of an Explorer Unit.
3. Volunteer in a Section
You’ll help out in a Beaver, Cub, or Scout section – working closely with adult leaders to plan and deliver exciting activities.
4. Complete Missions and Modules
As you progress, you’ll complete four ‘missions’ that put your learning into practice. You’ll earn badges and eventually the prestigious Young Leader belt buckle.
Speak to a Explorer Scout Leader or DofE Leader at the 41st (or click join).
Start volunteering with a younger section
Work through your training modules and missions
Track your progress and earn your recognition
Safe & supervised – Young Leaders are supported by trained adult leaders and follow all Scout safeguarding policies.
No DBS needed – Young Leaders are youth members and don’t require background checks.
Excellent development opportunity – Builds confidence, teamwork, leadership, and looks great on a CV or uni application.
This checklist shows what a Young Leader needs to do, by when, and how leaders can easily sign it off. The aim is to complete all 4 Missions within 6 months of active helping.
☐ Young Leader induction completed
☐ Role explained by Section Leader
☐ Section expectations agreed
☐ Orange Card read, understood and agreed
☐ Young Leader knows who to speak to if something is wrong
Young Leaders must follow the Safeguarding Code of Conduct (Orange Card) at all times. This is non-negotiable and applies to every session, camp and activity.
Each week, a Young Leader should normally help with some of the following:
☐ Welcome young people
☐ Help set up or pack away
☐ Support games or activities
☐ Lead part of the programme
☐ Support individuals who need help
☐ Work as part of the leadership team
☐ Reflect briefly with a leader after the meeting
These tasks build evidence naturally for the Missions.
☐ Follow the Orange Card code of conduct
☐ Never work one-to-one with younger members
☐ Always work under adult leadership
☐ Treat everyone with respect
☐ Report concerns immediately
Failure to follow safeguarding rules = stop helping until addressed.
The Young Leader Missions are practical tasks that show a Young Leader can apply what they are learning while helping in a section.
They are not exams and they are not paperwork-heavy. They are about doing the role properly and being part of the leadership team.
Each Mission builds confidence, responsibility and leadership skills.
All four Missions must be completed for the Young Leaders’ Scheme.
Plan, run and review three games for the section.
☐ Game 1 planned with leader
☐ Game 1 run
☐ Game 2 planned with leader
☐ Game 2 run
☐ Game 3 planned with leader
☐ Game 3 run
Plan, run and review one activity (not a game). Examples: craft, skill session, challenge, badge activity.
☐ Activity idea agreed with leader
☐ Activity planned
☐ Activity run
Take part in programme planning for the section. This can include: programme meeting, ideas night, term planning.
☐ Attended programme planning session
☐ Shared ideas or suggestions
☐ Understood how the programme is built
Take responsibility for planning and delivering a full session or major part of a session.
☐ Session theme agreed
☐ Session plan written
☐ Risk and behaviour considerations discussed
☐ Session delivered
☐ Session reviewed
An explorer, adventurer and TV presenter, Dwayne's been seen in BAFTA nominated Channel 5 series Race to the Pole, on BBC Springwatch, Countryfile, National Geographic and Disney+.
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