A new Explorer Scout unit has opened in Coalville and is providing various opportunities for boys and girls aged 14 to 17.

Activities Explorer Scouts can do range from abseiling to zorbing with camping, cooking and paddle boarding in between.

The reason for opening the Armstrong Explorer Unit was due to the demand of young people reaching the age of 14 and wanting to move to the next section.

Georgia said: "I really enjoyed the scavenger hike as this tested my map reading skills, the drop hike as we didn't know where we were dropped off and had to get back to our headquarters, the visit to Snibston colliery as it was very interactive and the zip line was an adrenalin buzz."

Activities the Unit has planned for the future include bike maintenance, pioneering, first aid scenarios, foraging, task master and judo.

In a recent survey, 88 per cent of Scouts said they had tried activities in Scouts they had not tried before.

Volunteer Matthew said: "It has been great to start the Explorer Unit in the Coalville area and given young people the opportunity to continue their Scouting journey.

"It's been a learning curve trying to encourage the Explorers to plan the programme and to organise and run some of the activities.

"You see the benefits when the young people develop skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication, social, independence and responsibility."

For further information about becoming involved with the Unit either as a young person or a volunteer please contact [email protected]