Email: info@sunderlandscouts.org.uk
Explorer Scout Young Leaders (ESYLs) are Explorers who volunteer alongside adult leaders in a Squirrel Drey, Beaver Colony, Cub Pack or Scout Troop. They're a valuable asset to any leadership team and play an active role in the section, bringing a range of fresh ideas to the table and acting as positive role models for the young people they work alongside. All Young Leaders in the Squirrel, Beaver, Cub and Scout section who are between the ages of 13.5 and 18 must be members of a Young Leaders Unit. Young people from outside Scouting can also participate if they're working towards their Duke of Edinburgh's Award or Queen's Guide Award.The Young Leaders’ Scheme is just one of the exciting programme elements in the Explorer Scout section. The Scheme helps Explorer Scouts to develop and grow as individuals. It allows them to make a valuable contribution to their community and give service to others. 
The scheme also helps them fulfil the service elements of their awards and develop and grow as individuals..
Young leaders must be between the ages of 13½ and 18. They’re part of the Explorer Scout Section and should wear their Explorer Scout Uniform shirt or blouse and the Unit Scout scarf.
Being A Young Leader
As a young leader, you’ll be learning lots of new skills as well as passing on your knowledge to younger sections. You’ll be fully supported and have access to a fantastic training programme to help you learn the basics of leadership – all things you’ll need to know if you become an adult leader in the future.
Volunteering as a Young Leader is a great way to work towards your top awards and looks great on a CV.
Young Leader Training
The training programme is broken down into 11 modules and four missions – the modules give you the skills and knowledge to be successful in your role, whilst the missions allow you to put it all into practice with some support.
Module A is mandatory for all Young Leaders and must be completed within three months of starting work with a section.
Young Leaders are effectively Explorer Scouts who choose to devote a proportion of their time in Scouting to help in another section and may or may not wish to be part of an Explorer Scout Unit or attend regular Explorer Scout meetings. All Young Leaders must be a member of the Sunderland District Young Leaders Explorer Unit.
Young Leaders should wear the Explorer Scout uniform shirt or blouse and the Sunderland District Explorer Necker
The Young Leaders’ Scheme is recognised by the Institute of Leadership and Management as a Development Programme. The ILM is one of the UK’s leading providers of leadership and management qualifications. This accreditation shows the quality of the Young Leaders’ Scheme, to any external organisations that Young Leaders might apply to in the future. This reflects the value of the skills learnt through the scheme to employers. It is one of the ways in which Young Leaders can use their Scouting training to gain externally recognised awards.
Young Leaders must be aged between 14 and 18. Once you turn 18, if you’d like to continue volunteering, you’ll need to go through the adult appointment process. The team at the group you’re volunteering with will be able to help you with this.
Sunderland Scouts welcomes Young Leaders from other Districts and young people looking to join Scouting and become volunteers. We also welcome young people from outside of Scouting who are working towards their Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards or King’s Guide Award to volunteer as non-members for a set period of time. For example, if they are completing their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, they can volunteer as a non-member for three to six months (the time required for the Bronze DofE volunteering section).
Need help with Young Leader Training ? then Contact explorers@sunderlandscouts.org.uk
Upon successfully completing the entire Young Leader scheme, which entails finishing all training modules and missions, individuals are 
awarded with the Young Leader belt buckle and an adult badge.
The adult badge 
can be proudly displayed on the uniform, serving as a tangible recognition of one's active participation and accomplishment in the Young Leaders' Scheme.