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By Paul Ritchi, Founder and General Commissioner

Our Explorer Uniform

A troop of FNE Explorers in full uniform and Stetson hats stands outside a cathedral.

Wearing our Explorer uniform means you belong to a great, widespread brotherhood. A perfect uniform, worn correctly in every detail, may seem of little importance; however, it has its value in developing some personal dignity.

So I hope everyone remembers this and judges by the rules of the game created by the founder of the original scouting method, Lord Baden-Powell, and later, Father Jacques Sevin, who largely formulated the program that our youth benefit from today.

Four Explorers in Stetson hats sit on a log at camp as one plays the ukulele.

Where the uniform comes from

Baden-Powell said: ‘The Uniform worn by a Scout is very similar to the one my men wore when he was in charge of South African police. They knew how comfortable, useful and appropriate to protect themselves from inclement weather.’

The Explorers had their uniforms with some insignificant modifications; the Explorer uniform was met with the taste of the rest of the explorers worldwide and was universally adopted.

Of course, winter weather requires outerwear over uniform shorts and knee socks outdoors, but generally, different countries with temperate climates have very similar uniforms.

An Explorer in full uniform, Stetson hat and scarf sits on a stool for a portrait.

The hat

To start from above, the four dented hats (Stetson) are good protection against the sun and rain. It is kept subject by a cord and fit to the back of the head.

This cord, referred to as Baden-Powell, can be useful for many things in the camp or activities undertaken at camp and elsewhere.

The Explorer hat is known for possessing four wells or hollows (stone) in the dome.

The scarf

The handkerchief (scarf) is folded in a triangle and worn with the tip on the neck below the hat cord.

Each Group has its own colour that differentiates them, and as Group Honor is tied to the handkerchief or scarf, be very careful to keep it clean and tidy.

It’s attached to the throat by a knot or woggle, a special ring made of rope, cord, metal, bone or any other material you want.

The handkerchief (scarf) protects the neck from sunburns and serves many other uses, such as bandages or improvising many types of string or bandaging.

Two Explorers in Stetson hats and work gloves saw through a fallen log in the forest.

The shirt

The shirt (sweater) is a wide and comfortable sleeve garment.

All Explorers wear them with sleeves rolled up to give them greater freedom, but also as a sign that they are ready to put their Motto into practice: be “READY” and get to work. Explorers are not lazy.

They only roll down their sleeves when it’s too cold or their arms risk sunburns. You can add to the shirt in cold times by using the FNE navy blue sweater.

Explorers in Stetson hats with backpacks and patrol staffs walk along a city sidewalk.

Shorts and stockings

Uniform pants must be short, essential to hard work, climbing, etc.

One point is that they are usually less expensive than long ones but mostly more hygienic.

They give freedom and ventilation to the legs. Another advantage is that when the terrain is wet, one can crawl, frolic, and roll even without stockings, keeping them from getting wet.

All Explorer stockings must be kept up and folded down under the kneecap.

Our uniform is a visible sign of bringing followers of Jesus Christ through our faith and having the courage to be different in a world that calls us to conform to the latest secular fads, values, and fashion codes.

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