Exploring is Learning for Life’s career education program for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) or 15 to 21 years old. Exploring’s purpose is to provide experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. Explorers are ready to investigate the meaning of interdependence in their personal relationships and communities.
Explorer posts can specialize in a variety of career skills. Exploring programs are based on five areas of emphasis: career opportunities, life skills, citizenship, character education, and leadership experience. Fill out our career interest survey and we will notify you of open houses and and when a new Exploring post is starting near you.
Find a Post Career Interest Survey Open Houses
Exploring Guide
The updated Exploring Guidebook for Youth and Adult Leaders has been posted at www.exploring.org in the “Unit Resources” box. This is an Exploring leader’s one-stop-shop for building long-lasting Exploring posts and clubs.
Exploring Guidebook
What’s different about this new edition?
- A new, rebranded look and feel
- Half the number of pages
- A new index
- Updated references to program policies and processes
- A new section about funding your unit
Career Opportunities
• Develop potential contacts that may broaden
employment options
• Boost self-confidence and experience success
at school and work
Life Skills
• Build physical and mental fitness
• Experience positive social interaction
Citizenship
• Encourage the skill and desire to help others
• Gain a keen respect for the basic rights of others
Character Education
• Help make ethical choices
• Fulfill one’s responsibility to
society as a whole
Leadership Experience
• Acquire leadership skills to fulfill
one’s responsibilities in society
Career Fields and Programs
Exploring Awards
Exploring has a variety of awards and recognition.
Career Achievement Awards
Explorers can earn a Career Achievement Award in one or all 12 career fields. To earn a Career Achievement Award, the candidate must provide 50 hours of community service and complete any nine career achievements as outlined in the attached PDF file. The Explorer post advisor certifies that each Explorer has satisfactorily performed 50 hours of community service and verifies that each candidate has completed at least nine achievements within the career field.
Fire / Emergency Services Exploring Proficiency Awards
The fire/emergency services Exploring Proficiency Awards program provides an opportunity for posts and their Explorers to earn a series of recognition items that acknowledge their fire/emergency services Exploring experience. These recognize community service, fire prevention, fire/emergency services service, fire/emergency services training, emergency preparedness, tenure, and Explorer of the Year. Each proficiency area is intended to recognize experience, tenure, training, or leadership. These awards are intended to be worn on the fire/emergency services Explorer uniform only.
Law Enforcement Exploring Proficiency Awards
The Law Enforcement Exploring Proficiency Awards program provides an opportunity for posts and their Explorers to earn a series of recognition items that acknowledge their law enforcement Exploring experience. These recognize community service, crime prevention, law enforcement service, law enforcement training, firearms training, emergency preparedness, tenure, and Explorer of the Year. Each proficiency area is intended to recognize experience, tenure, training, or leadership. These awards are intended to be worn on the law enforcement Explorer uniform only.
William H. Spurgeon III Award
The William H. Spurgeon III Award is the highest recognition for individuals and organizations contributing significant leadership to the Exploring program.
Leadership Award
The Learning for Life Leadership Award is a distinguished award for Explorers, high school Learning for Life program participants, and adult volunteer leaders who have given exceptional leadership in Exploring or Learning for Life programs. The Leadership Award is available annually to all Explorer posts and Learning for Life high school groups.
Congressional Award
An adult leader supports Explorers in setting challenging but achievable goals in four program areas. Once an Explorer has achieved his or her goals, they should submit the form. The Explorer will receive a recognition from their local member of Congress.
President's Volunteer Service Award
In recognition of these outstanding achievements, Learning for Life is proud to announce the availability of the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a prestigious national honor offered in recognition of volunteer commitment. Established in 2003, this Award is given by the President of the United States and honors individuals, families and groups who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service over the course of 12 months.
Lifesaving Award: Recognition may be given to a youth member or adult leader of Learning for Life where the evidence presented to the National Learning for Life office, in accordance with prescribed regulations, shows that he or she saved or attempted to save life under circumstances which indicate heroism and risk to self. Learning for Life will give consideration to resourcefulness and to demonstrated skill in rescue methods. In no case shall recognition be given where it appears that the risk involved was merely in the performance of duty or the meeting or an obligation because of responsibility to supervise and give leadership to the persons whose lives were saved.
Meritorious Action Award: Recognition may be given to a youth or adult participant where the evidence presented to the National Learning for Life office, in accordance with prescribed regulations, shows that a significant or outstanding act of service, of an exceptional character, was performed. The action taken need not involve attempts of rescue or risk to self but must put into practice skills and/or ideals in Learning for Life. Recognition shall not be given where it appears that the action involved was merely in the performance of duty or the meeting of an obligation.
Exploring Resources
Applications for membership
New Post Organization Application
Start a New Post
Businesses and Organizations
The Sam Houston Area Council works with companies and organizations to establish new career exploring posts.
- Easy to start a post
- Proven and flexible model
- Nationally recognized and endorsed
- Positive community involvement
- Potential future employees
- Youth mentoring and development
- Employee professional growth
- Strong local and national support
- General liability insurance
Career Exploring Program
The Career Exploring is a worksite-based program for young men and women ages 14 (and have completed the 8th grade) through 20 years old. The purpose of the Exploring program is to provide real world career experiences and develop other critical skills necessary for success in a college and a career including:
- Leadership development
- Character development
- Social and professional networking
- Community service
Exploring is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth and the organizations in their communities. Businesses and community organizations initiate a specific Career Explorer post by matching their people and program resources to the interests of youth in the community. The result is a program of activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, and develop.
We work with thousands of local, regional, and national businesses and organizations to deliver the Career Exploring program. Career Exploring posts have been successfully established representing over 100 different career fields.
Most Popular Career Fields / Roles
| Nursing |
Attorney |
Teaching |
General Business |
Physician |
| Psychology |
Professional Athelete |
Photography |
Architecture |
Veternarian |
| Therapist (PT/OT/CT) |
Engineering |
Sports Medicine |
(Federal) Law Enforcement |
Mechanical Engineer |
| Automotive Technician |
Interior Design |
Computer Engineer/Programmer |
Health Careers (General) |
Pharmaceutical |
| Accounting |
Journalism |
Dentistry |
Music |
Fire Service |
| Military Service |
Pilot |
Judge |
Aviation Technician |
Website Designer |
| Forensic Science |
General Science |
Actor/Actress |
Fashion Designer |
Artist |
| Barber/Cosmetology |
Author |
Dancer |
Chef/Baker |
TV/Movie Producer |
| Marine Biologist |
Marketing |
Electrical Engineer |
Anesthesiologist |
Radiologist |
| Food Service/Restaurant Owner |
Graphic Artist |
Geneticist |
Nuclear Engineer |
Paralegal |
The Career Exploring Program provides:
Career Opportunities
- Develop potential contacts that may broaden employment options
- Boost self-confidence and experience success at school and work
Life Skills
- Develop physical and mental fitness
- Experience positive social interaction
Citizenship
- Encourage the skill and desire to help others
- Gain a keen respect for the basic rights of others
Character Development
- Help make ethical choices
- Fulfill one’s responsibilities to society as a whole
Leadership Experience
- Acquire leadership skills
- Develop a variety of leadership traits
Youth involved in Exploring will:
- Gain practical knowledge of and experience in a career
- Engage in a program of activities centered on career opportunities, life skills, citizenship, character development, and leadership experience to encourage the development of the whole person
- Have opportunities to take on leadership roles
Liability Insurance for Participating Organizations
The general liability policy issued to Learning for Life provides primary liability insurance coverage for all participating organizations with an Explorer post. Automobile liability coverage is provided on a secondary or excess basis. All vehicles used in Exploring activities must be covered by automobile liability insurance with limits that meet or exceed the requirements of the state in which the vehicle is licensed. A $100,000 combined single limit is recommended. Any vehicle designed to carry 10 or more passengers is required to have limits of $100,000/$500,000/$100,000 or $500,000 combined single limit.
Although our general liability coverage has been extended on a primary basis to the participating organizations, the coverage for our volunteers remains on an excess basis. Any insurance coverage that a volunteer has, such as a homeowner policy or overage on his or her personal automobile, will still protect the volunteer on a primary basis, and Learning for Life’s coverage will be over and above the limits that the individual volunteer has purchased. If the volunteer has no personal insurance, then our coverage will extend to cover him or her immediately. There is no coverage for those who commit intentional or criminal acts. Liability insurance is purchased to provide financial protection in the event of accidents or injury that is neither expected nor intended.
For more information, contact us.