GWRC District Directory

Greater Western Reserve Council

Exploring

Exploring is the part of the Learning for Life career education program for young men and women ages 14 (who have completed the eighth grade) through 20. The program is developed by local community organizations such as businesses, industries, professions, and civic groups to match the interests of young adults with the program resources of the organization.

Community organizations support their Explorer posts in three major ways:

By conducting a "program capabilities inventory" of the skills and interests of adults related to the organization who are willing to give program helps to the post. The inventory indicates the program potential of the post’s adults in areas as careers, skills, contacts, facilities and ideas.
By providing the adult leaders to organize the program inventory and to serve as Advisors to the youth leaders of the post.
By providing meeting facilities

An Explorer post is a young-adult organization that recruits participants, elects officers, and plans programs based on the organization’s program inventory and other resources. Adult Advisors provide training and guidance for the post’s elected youth officers.

Learning for Life, through a volunteer Exploring Committee and assigned staff people, supports the community organizations and their posts with these services:

Guidance in organizing posts and keeping the program going successfully

Methods of recruiting Explorers, including an interest survey in local high schools

Leadership training for adult leaders and youth officers

Regular communication with each post to provide program support

Use of facilities, such as camps

Planning of area wide activities that enrich the post’s program

Liability and Accident Insurance coverage

Exploring is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth and the organizations in their communities. Local community organizations initiate a specific Explorer post by matching their people and program resources to the interests of young people in the community. The result is a program of activities that helps youth pursue their special interest, grow and develop.

Explorer posts can specialize in a variety of career skills. Exploring programs are based upon five areas of emphasis:

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Developing potential contacts that may broaden employment options

Boosting self confidence and experiencing success at school and work

LIFE SKILLS

Developing physical and mental fitness

Experiencing positive social interaction

SERVICE LEARNING

Encouraging the skill and desire to help others

Gaining a keen respect for the basic rights of others

CHARACTER EDUCATION

Helping make ethical choices

Fulfilling one’s responsibility to society as a whole

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Developing leadership skills to fulfill our responsibilities in society

Providing exposure to different leadership traits

GWRC Explorer Posts and Specialties

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