Verkenners

Verkenners is a Dutch term that can refer to scouts or reconnaissance personnel. In civilian use, it most often designates a youth section within Scouting Nederland and related organizations for older members, whereas in a military context it denotes personnel trained for reconnaissance.

In Scouting Nederland and other Dutch-speaking groups, verkenners are typically the age group above the younger sections. The exact age range varies by organization but generally covers early to mid-adolescence. The program focuses on outdoor skills, self-reliance, teamwork, and leadership, implemented through the patrol method. Activities commonly include hiking, camping, navigation, map reading, first aid, knotting, and pioneering projects. Progression through badges or ranks encourages increasing responsibility, such as taking on patrol leadership or project planning.

For military use, verkenners refer to reconnaissance troops or scouts whose role is to observe, report on terrain, enemy movements, and other information critical to command decisions. Training emphasizes fieldcraft, camouflage, stalking, navigation, surveillance, and small-unit tactics. In the Dutch armed forces, reconnaissance units have evolved with changing doctrine and equipment and may be organized at platoon or squadron levels depending on era and service branch.

Terminology can vary by organization and country; the term is common in Dutch and Flemish contexts, and some scouting groups have renamed Verkenners sections to other terms such as Explorers or Rangers to reflect modern emphasis.