Explorers

Explorers are the next step up from the Climbers. They join us at the age of eight years and stay until eleven or twelve years. Our national emblem best explains the meaning behind what Explorers is all about.

The book is the Bible and it tells us how to follow the Lord Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15). The cross reminds us that Jesus died for us so that we can be forgiven and go God’s way (1 Peter 3:18). The compass – shows us that we need to find God’s way and keep to it (John 14:6) The lamp stands for the friendship of the Lord Jesus who goes with us everywhere (John 8:12). So how do we leaders get this message across to the children? We endeavour to do so through a mixed programme of bible teaching. We use Scripture Union videos lasting seven to fifteen minutes, as well as games, quizzes and discussions that explain biblical truths and their application to the children's lives. From time to time, we take part in the church services. Julia Denham wrote a script about Thomas Clarkson and the abolition of the slave trade and we linked this up with the cancelling of the Third World Debt by the year 2000. We include outings such as fun in Thorncombe Woods or swimming at Hardye's Leisure Centre. In 1995 we made a scarecrow and put it on Bill McKenzie's allotment. Richard Gregory, the vicar at that time, said a few words about the Word of God being like good seed planted in our hearts and minds, and developing good character. We then asked God to bless Bill's plants.

Richard, the vicar, built his own sail boat called the ‘Isambard’ and each year he took us all out on her for an evening's sail. This was thoroughly enjoyed by us all. Over the years we have developed some regular activities such as a January party. Sometimes it's fancy dress and parents and children have shown great imagination with their creations. We also visit Lytchetts Residential Home for the Elderly at least once a year. Last Christmas was a particularly happy occasion; after a short programme of carols and poetry, we divided up into small groups and played games such as Beetle, Snakes and Ladders. There was a lot of talking and laughter between residents and children as they played games together.

Traditionally we ended our summer term with a barbeque to which the parents were invited. Now, we join Scramblers and Climbers at Castle Cove for a family day on the beach. This has been a really happy day with all the children playing together. In 1997 we packed our shoe boxes for ‘Operation Christmas Child’ organised by the Samaritans Purse, an organisation directed by Billy Graham’s son, Franklin. This project is to decorate shoe boxes and pack them with presents for children who have suffered through disasters in various countries. The shoe boxes from the UK. are sent to Eastern Europe. In 1998, 300,000 children were blessed in this way by the U.K. alone. To fill the gift boxes, the Explorers raised money by hosting a coffee morning and selling their products. Each child was given £1 to turn into cakes and biscuits for sale. They also made Christmas decorations. Two of the children organised a conker knockout competition and they used their one pound for prizes. Another child organized a treasure hunt. Part way through the morning we showed a very moving film made by the Samaritan's Purse showing children receiving their presents. We all enjoyed buying the presents and packing the boxes. Then on November 15th we took all the boxes to the morning family service where we asked God to bless the children who would receive them. Months later, two of the Explorers were delighted to receive letters from children who had been given the box packed by them.

This year, 1999, for the first time we encouraged the children to go on the CPAS camps which take place all over the country during the summer holidays. Four Explorers went and had a wonderful time. We are hoping and praying this will be a yearly event and that the numbers will increase. To encourage the children, I thought it would be good to get them involved in helping their parents pay for their camp fees. We organized a lunch in the Village Hall and sold tickets at £3 and £1.50 for children. The Explorers helped to prepare the hall and they really enjoyed taking the orders and serving the varieties of home-made soups, bread and delicious puddings to the guests. They also staffed the Cake and White Elephant stalls. Through the generosity of everyone we made £411. We decided to tithe the money, so £41 was sent to CPAS to enable a child from the inner city to have a holiday. We gave each child £50 and put £170 into the bank for next year's needs. At this point we have many plans for the last term of this year and will be ready for a family party in January to celebrate the start of the new Millennium.

Susan Pratt, September 1999

St. Martin's Church, Broadmayne
St Martin's Circle
Church Flower Guild
Scramblers and Climbers
Pathfinders