Our Mission Statement

The FNE is an international association in the Catholic Church for youth and young adults that builds its members into saints through an adventurous outdoors program. We create a space of freedom where we live simply and in contact with nature, become stronger and healthier, and grow in virtue and character. It is here where we learn that the greatest adventure of our lives is the one we live with God.

Explorers is a method of education of the child through a pedagogy developed by Father Jacques Sevin and Baden-Powell. "Our mission is a bold one: to help all our members become everyday saints and through them to bring God’s joy and peace to the families and communities of North America. We do this through camping, playing, cooking, the outdoors, helping others along with a deep sense of brotherhood or sisterhood.

Pope Saint John Paul II reflected on the work of Father Sevin in a letter to the leaders of the International Catholic Scout Conference in 1998.“The meeting of the Scout method with the insights of Fr Sevin, S.J., has made it possible to develop an educational program based on Gospel values, in which each young person is led to grow and to develop his personality, thus making his talents fruitful. The Scout law, training young people in the way of virtue, invites them to moral rectitude and a spirit of asceticism, thus directing them to God and calling them to serve their brethren; by striving to do good,they become men and women who can play a responsible role in the Church and in society. In a troop, at camp and in other situations, Scouts discover the Lord through the wonders of creation, which they are called to respect. They also have a valuable experience of ecclesial life, meeting Christ in personal prayer, to which they can become accustomed, and in the Eucharistic celebration.

Nurturing Child Development

We develop all aspects of the child: health and strength, spiritual growth to serve others, social and character building, and intellectual and practical skills. Join us in fostering a holistic environment for our youth.