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Frequently Asked Question
Exploring Program
Exploring is a High School career education program for young men and women who
are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) or 15 to 20 years old.
 
Exploring’s purpose is to provide hands on career experiences to help young people determine if they want to pursue a certain career upon high school graduation. Exploring Posts are designed around the needs and wants of the youth.
 
Local community organizations and/or businesses initiate an Explorer Post by matching their people and program resources to the career interests of young people in the community. The result is a program of activities that helps youth pursue their special career interests, grow, and develop in to mature adults.
 
Adults are selected by the participating organization to lead program. Color, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background, economic status, or citizenship is not criteria for participation.
Exploring History

The Exploring program has a long history within the BSA. The program got its start in the 1930s as the "Senior Scout" Division for boys 15 and older.

 

In 1949, the Senior Scout Division became the Explorer Division. The Explorer program became less of an advanced outdoor program, and more a broader program for young men, with the minimum age lowered to 14 years old.

 

In 1959, the Explorer Program was renamed the Exploring program. The program was further changed to be more appealing to older youth, with career exploration becoming a bigger part of the program.

 

In 1969, the BSA allowed young women ages 14–20 to join special-interest Explorer posts, which caused many posts to be become co-ed. The continuing focus on career exploration was expanded to a major emphasis, and as the years progressed, Exploring focused more on career exploration posts, though outdoor and sports-oriented Posts still existed and thrived as well.

 

In the early 1980s, posts that primarily consisted of seminars at high school with guest speakers were designated as Career Awareness Explorer posts. This particular facet of Exploring was the fastest growing segment of Exploring and the BSA during the 1980s.

 

In 1991, these posts were realigned into the new Learning for Life subsidiary, and the posts were then designated as High School Career Awareness groups.

 

In 1998, the Exploring program was completely reorganized.  Exploring continues to be a worksite-based career education program for young men and women 14 through 20 years old.

 
Mission Statement
It is the mission of Learning for Life to enable young people to become responsible individuals by teaching positive character traits, career development, leadership, and life skills so they can make ethical choices and achieve their full potential.

Vision Statement
Learning for Life strives to be the foremost co-educational youth program for character and career development.  
 
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