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The philosophy underpinning the programme is that every Scout should participate in a Balanced Programme over a period of time.

In Scoutng, the word programme has a wide interpretation. Programme is not just about the activities that Explorer Scouts can take part in (almost anything from abseiling to zorbing). It is also how we do these activities (the Methods) and why we do them (values deriving from the Explorer Scout Promise). Everytime the Explorer Unit plan an activity they should also consider how they might organise the activity and why they are doing it. What we offer to young people in the Explorer Scout section is a Balance Programme; a range of activities, events and experiences build around six Programme Zones. The Programme is balanced in the same way a diet is balanced, not by precise measurements and timings but by simply ensuring that over a given period (a month or a term for example) that there is something from each zone in the Programme.

There are six Programme Zones, each with its own aims for the Explorer Scouts taking part in activities in that Zone. The Programme Zones for Explorer Scouts are:

• Outdoor and Adventure
• Skills
• Physical Recreation
• Community Service
• Global
• Values and Relationships

more about Programme Zones...

Using all the methods to deliver your Balanced Programme allows it to be varied and interesting for both the Leaders and the Explorer Scouts.

• Visits
• Games
• Outdoor Activities
• Technology
• Networking Activities
• Discussion

In addition to the Programme Zones and Methods, there is a also a third element to the Balanced Programme. Put simply it identifies what people might expect to see if they walked into a Unit meeting. We need to be aware of it as it very much reflects the experience of being an Explorer Scout.

• Activity
• Fun
• Teamwork
• Leadership and Responsibility
• Relationships
• Commitment
• Personal Development

Checking that your Programme is Balanced is a vital part of Programme Planning. Using the Balanced Programme Checker makes this a really easy task.

It can be used to look at individual meeting nights, term or even year Programmes.

The Balanced Programme Checker also alows you to plan in as many Methods as possible to deliver the activities in a vaiety of ways and give the Programme variety.

Balanced Programme Checker