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The Community Service Zone is all about Explorer Scouts contributing something of themselves, their skills and their time, to help other people.

From becoming a qualified life-saver to helping children with Special Needs, from coaching a football team to an evening’s conservation work, Community Service should meet real needs and also help Explorer Scouts to develop.

Community Service works best and is most rewarding when it benefits both the community and also the young person giving the service. Community Service should also be a challenge. Like expeditions, it should stretch Explorer Scouts beyond their comfort zone, but not too far. The learning and growth happens when activities stretch people, and for this to happen, the Explorer Scouts must be able to complete the challenge they have set themselves.

It is important to recognise that Explorer Scouts, especially those aged 14 or 15, may not either have the skills or desire to get involved in long-term or very challenging community projects. Group projects can work well, and have the added benefit of providing an opportunity for group discussion of the shared experience.

The benefits to Explorer Scouts can include:

• gaining new skills
• getting a better understanding of people different to them
• knowing they have made a difference to individuals and the community
• increasing self-esteem
• confronting and conquering their own fears
• realising that they are a contributing member of the community.

Community Service can be either a group or an individual project, depending on the interests of the Explorer Scouts and the needs of the community.

Helping in a Leadership role with Beaver Scout Colonies, Cub Scout Packs or Scout Troops can be a good form of Community Service, but it should always be a challenge to the Explorer Scout and should never be the easy option. The Young Leader’s Unit should be used for any long-term involvement.

You can search for activities for the Community Service Zone on Programmes Online