Two Flintshire teenagers attend Rolls-Royce launch of new Scouts programme
Two Explorer Scouts from Flintshire have joined Chief Scout Dwayne Fields at Rolls-Royce in Derby for the national launch of a refreshed Scouts programme for 14 to 18 year olds.
Jay Livingstone and Michael Medinca, both 16 and from Flintshire, attended alongside adult volunteer Dan Campbell, also from Flintshire.
The refreshed Explorer Scouts programme includes new badges covering artificial intelligence, content creation, outdoor adventure and leadership.
Forty new or refreshed badges have been introduced in total, including STEM, Life Skills, employability, democracy, exploration and personal safety.
New Challenge Awards have also been introduced, designed to encourage young people to work as teams and try new experiences.
Jay Livingstone said, “I’m really excited for the changes, especially the STEM badge which stands for science, technology, engineering and maths. Being at the Rolls-Royce factory for the launch was perfect as I want to be an aerospace engineer, so the badge will give me lots of opportunities.”
Michael Medinca said, “The badge which stands out for me is Life Skills as Scouts has always given me courage and helped build up my communications skills. Currently I’m most proud of my Chief Scout’s Gold Award as that’s the one I put most effort into.”
More than 1,300 young people aged 14 to 18 take part in Explorer Scouts in Wales, through 97 units stretching from Ynys Môn to Monmouthshire.
Membership grew by 2% between January 2025 and January 2026, with young women now making up 36% of Explorer Scout membership in Wales.
The original Explorer Scouts programme was developed between 2000 and 2002.
Dan Campbell said, “Scouts is providing young people with the skills they can take into adult life. We’re making sure it’s still relevant 25 years after Explorers launched in a world without mobile phones and social media.”
He said the organisation currently has waiting lists of young people wanting to join, and needs more adult volunteers to meet demand.
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