Being part of Network
When you join Network, you’ll be introduced to lots of new activities, people, and things. Find out more about what we get up to and how you can get involved.
Scout Network is our sixth and final section for 18 to 25-year-olds.
Whether you’re completely new to Scouts or whether you've been with us since you were 4 years old, joining Scouts Network is a great way to meet new people, seek out new challenges, and see the world. Because being a grown-up shouldn’t mean you have to miss out on all the fun.
Scout Network connects over 20,000 young people aged 18 to 25 across the UK and allows them to take part in a huge range of exciting projects and events centred on the themes of ‘Adventure’, ‘Community’ and ‘International’.
Adventure
Engage in adventurous and other activities that will enable you to:
Develop skills and pursue your interests.
Develop and use skills to make a difference in your local and Scouting communities.
International
Participate in life-changing international activities or experiences that will enable you to:
Develop an understanding of global issues that highlight our interdependence as citizens of the world.
Make a positive contribution to address global issues.
Community
Take practical action in the service of others that will enable you to:
Create positive social change that is of benefit to a wider community.
Helps you develop in taking action.
Build strong links and appreciation for difference between Scouts and between others in the Community.
To achieve these objectives Scout Network Members are encouraged to take part in projects and events that will support the about themes.
Membership
New to Scouts?
We’re open to all, not just existing members. If you're aged 18 to 25, get started today. It’s free, and there is no adult learning required to be a Scout Network member.
How it works
Whether you’re organising a local meet-up or a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Amazon jungle, it’s all about working together to build new skills, seek out new experiences and make a difference in the world.
Network groups are flexibly run and self-led. Members can create profiles on social media, using the platform to meet others with similar goals and share their progress. Network Members can also work towards several Top Awards.
Network Members manage their own journey, organising their own projects with the support of their District 14-24 Team.
Throughout their journey, they might also interact with County volunteers – who assist with Network activity throughout the wider County – and the UK Lead for Scout Network, who oversees Network activity across the whole of the UK.
If you live in a different District to where you scout
You can choose where your membership point of Scout Network is. You can choose the District(s) you wish to be part of, and this will include the UK Scout Network. You’re not required to have a District membership; you can just be a member of the UK Scout Network.
Scout Network is flexible. As a member, you have a choice. This means you can be part of whichever District you want to be. If you do not wish to affiliate with any particular district, you can also opt to just be part of the UK Scout Network, which gives you the same great access to the opportunities as every 18- 25-year-old in the UK. You may also want to check whether your university has a Student Scout and Guide Organisation (SSAGO).
Be part of Network when you go to Uni or move away for work
Scout Network is flexible. As a member you have choice. This means you can be part of whichever District you want to be. If you do not wish to affiliate with any particular district, you can also opt to just be part of the UK Scout Network, which gives you the same great access to the opportunities as every 18-25 year old in the UK. You may also want to check whether your university has a Student Scout and Guide Organisation (SSAGO).
Meeting up with your Network
Local arrangements will vary. Network members don’t necessarily meet every week. Some might meet a few times a year to complete a single project together. Others might dive into lots of different projects at once, or meet locally more regularly. Like any activity in Scouts, choice of venue must be a considered and take into account suitability for the type of meeting and the members that will be attending that meeting.
Network awards
If you were a Beaver, Cub or Scout, you'll already know that being a Scout is all about completing awards at every step of the journey.
As an Explorer, there are more chances to soar than ever before, as you'll be introduced to a whole new range of Top Awards.
You can work towards as many awards as you like, at your own pace.
Are you ready? Let's get stuck in.
Digital Badges
There are 395 virtual badges currently available to achieve from a wide variety of activities, events and countries. Download them from the Scout brand centre.
You may wish to request to join this Facebook Group, run by the DofE SASU Comms Lead. Note this Facebook group is not led by Scout Headquarters.
Reach the Top
For more information on the Chief Scout’s Diamond and King’s Scout Award, download the Reach The Top guide for Explorer Scouts, Scout Network members, Leaders and Lead Volunteers.