Frequently Asked Questions

Subscriptions   |   Ordering   |   Billing   |   Delivery   |   Digital   |   Miscellaneous   |   Contact Us

Subscriptions

  • Which edition of "Explorer" is right for my students?

    Explorer has six grade-specific editions, listed below. Each edition incorporates the appropriate reading and science standards for that grade level.

    Magazine

    Edition

    Grade(s)

    Lexile Levels

    Young Explorer

    Scout

    Kindergarten

    n/a

    Young Explorer

    Voyager

    1

    190L-400L

    Explorer

    Pioneer

    2

    250L-550L

    Explorer

    Trailblazer

    3

    350L-750L

    Explorer

    Pathfinder

    4

    450L-850L

    Explorer

    Adventurer

    5/6

    520L-950L

  • What’s included in a subscription?

    Magazine subscriptions are available in both full year and spring only options. Interested in viewing samples? Visit our samples page to view the print and digital magazines.

    Full year Explorer magazine subscriptions include:

    • Seven print issues of our 24-page magazine (Sept.–May) plus accompanying Projectable PDFs.
    • Seven digital issues with read-aloud text, games, and pop-up vocab. 
    • Teachers’ guides with plans for teaching nonfiction reading skills and content knowledge
    • Lexile-leveled nonfiction text that comes in six grade-specific editions
    • Seven full-color, two-sided classroom posters
    • Content aligned to national reading and science standards

    Spring Explorer magazine subscriptions include:

    • Four print issues of our 24-page magazine (Sept.–May) plus accompanying Projectable PDFs.
    • Four digital issues with read-aloud text, games, and pop-up vocab. 
    • Teachers’ guides with plans for teaching nonfiction reading skills and content knowledge
    • Lexile-leveled nonfiction text that comes in six grade-specific editions
    • Four full-color, two-sided classroom posters
    • Content aligned to national reading and science standards

  • How much does "Explorer" cost?

    • Full year subscriptions: $4.75 per student (7 issues, Sept-May)
    • Spring subscriptions: $3.75 per student (4 issues, Jan-May)
    • Digital-only subscriptions: $3.25 (7 issues, Sept-May)
    • Orders of 300 or more are eligible for a 10% discount. Get your custom quote today!

    Note: Price does not include shipping and handling (10% of total order). Each edition has a subscription minimum of 10.

    Visit our online form to get a quote delivered via email. Quotes will be sent to the billing email address supplied on the form.

  • How much is shipping and handling?

    Shipping and handling is calculated as 10% of your total subscription value and is added onto your order total.

  • Can I purchase a single subscription to "Explorer"?

    No. The minimum order is 10 subscriptions per edition.  

    Additionally, Explorer magazine is intended for sale only in the education market. Meaning, subscriptions to Explorer can be sold to any for-profit or not-for-profit education institutions, at any grade or level, including primary, secondary, higher education and postgraduate levels, two and four year academic institutions, colleges, trade schools, career schools, museums, libraries, and home-schooled or unaffiliated independent learners (meaning: no connection with any named educational institution).

Ordering

  • How can I get a quote?

    Visit our online form to get a quote delivered via email. Quotes will be sent to the billing email address supplied on the form.

  • How can I place an order?

    1. Online: NatGeo.org/ExplorerMagSubscribe (Fastest!)

    2. Email: ExplorerMag@ngs.org

    3. Fax: 937-890-0221

    4. Mail:

    Attention to: Explorer Magazine Orders
    National Geographic Society
    PO Box 291875
    Kettering, OH 45429

  • Are there any order deadlines?

    Yes!

    • Full year subscriptions (Sept-May) are accepted until October 15.
    • Spring subscriptions (Jan-May) are accepted until November 15.
    • Digital-only subscriptions (Sept-May) are available until January 15.

  • Can I change the quantity I ordered?

    Changes to orders are accepted until September 15.

    After September 15, order increases will incur a $20 fee for back issues (this fee does not apply to order increases without back issues). Also, order decreases of 10 subscriptions or more will incur a $20 fee to cover the cost of the magazines previously shipped.

    If you’d like to change your order, let us know by filling out our customer service form.

Billing

  • When will I receive an invoice?

    Invoices are sent out by October 1. After October 1, invoices are typically received within 6-8 weeks from the order date.

  • How do I make payment?

    1. Online: Visit ExplorerMag.org/MySubscriptions to pay online. You will need your billing customer ID (located on your Explorer magazine invoice ) as well as the zip code of the billing address in order to access the Self-Service Portal and make payment.

    2. Mail: Mail the top portion of your invoice with your payment to the address below.  If paying by check, please include your account number on the memo line of the check.  If paying by credit card, the back side of your invoice has a space for you to include your credit card information.  

    Attention to: Explorer Magazine Payments
    National Geographic Society
    PO Box 291875
    Kettering, OH 45429

    3. Phone: You may call customer service (844-601-5020) to pay by credit card. Please have your account number ready.

  • What do I do if I have issues with my payment/billing?

    Let us know if you’re having issues with your payment through this form. Please include your account number.

  • Where can I find my account number?

    If you are a current subscriber, your account number is located on the address label of your issue, above your name. You can also find your account number on your invoice.

  • What do I do if I want a refund?

    If you’d like to cancel your order, let us know by filling out our customer service form. You will be charged for the issues that have been shipped to you.

Delivery

  • When will I receive my magazines?

    The full 2019-2020 delivery schedule is listed below. Orders received by July 28 will be delivered by August 12 (afterwards, orders will arrive within 6 weeks of placing an order). Spring subscription orders will be delivered in December 2019.  Digital subscriptions will available online following the below schedule.

    Issue NumberSuggested Instructional MonthEstimated Arrival By
    No. 1September8/21/2019
    No. 2October9/18/2019
    No. 3November/December10/17/2019
    No. 4January/February12/18/2019
    No. 5March2/20/2020
    No. 6April3/19/2020
    No. 7May4/16/2020

    If you placed your order after July 28, you can expect the following delivery dates for your first issue. Please note that delivery times are based on when the order is received and processed. If order was mailed or faxed, there may be additional delays. After the first issue(s), delivery will follow the schedule below.

    Period of orderEstimated Arrival ByWhat customers will be receiving
    July 29–August 48/28/2019

    Issue No. 1 (September)

    August 5–August 119/5/2019

    Issue No. 1 (September)

    August 12–August 189/11/2019

    Issue No. 1 (September)

    August 19–August 259/18/2019 

    Issue No. 1 (September)

    August 26–September 19/25/2019 

    Issue Nos. 1–2 (September and October)

    September 2–September 810/2/2019

    Issue Nos. 1–2 (September and October)

    September 9–September 2210/17/2019

    Issue Nos. 1–2 (September and October)

    September 23–October 610/30/2019

    Issue Nos. 1–3 (September, October, and November/December)

    October 7–October 2711/20/2019

    Issue Nos. 1–3 (September, October, and November/December)

  • How are my magazines shipped?

    Your magazines will arrive in shrink-wrapped bundles by edition. The teacher’s copy is on top with a “Firm Bundle” label. If you ordered more than 50 subscriptions, you will receive more than one bundle.

  • When can I access my online resources?

    The digital magazine and online resources are published monthly, following the 2019-2020 school year schedule below:

    Issue Number

    		Suggested Instructional Month(s)Estimated arrival date
    No. 1September8/16/2019
    No. 2October9/14/2019
    No. 3November/December10/12/2019
    No. 4January/February12/13/2019
    No. 5March2/14/2020
    No. 6April3/13/2020
    No. 7May4/10/2020

  • Why has my order not arrived?

    Have you checked out the estimated delivery schedule above? Please keep in mind that in the U.S. it takes four to six weeks from when you placed your order for magazine shipments to reach you.  

    Have you checked with other teachers and administrators at your school? Someone may be holding your magazines. 

    Have you checked with your local post office? There could be a delivery problem or delay.

    If more than a five business days have passed since the estimated arrival date, please complete this customer service form so that we can assist you.

  • How do I know which magazine I’m getting?

    Young Explorer is available in two grade-specific editions. Their covers may look the same, but each one is written for a specific grade level.

    • Look under the Young Explorer logo on the cover to identify the edition. You will find Scout (Kindergarten) or Voyager (Grade 1).

    • Look in the bottom right-hand corner of the back page of the magazine. Scout has an outline of a dot and Voyager has one dot. 

    Explorer is available in four grade-specific editions. Their covers may look the same, but each one is written for a specific grade level.

    • Look under the Explorer logo on the cover to identify the edition. You will find Pioneer (Grade 2), Trailblazer (Grade 3), Pathfinder (Grade 4), or Adventurer (Grades 5/6)

    • Look in the bottom right-hand corner of the back page of the magazine. Pioneer has two dots. Trailblazer has three dots. Pathfinder has four dots. Adventurer has five dots.

  • Where can I find the month/date of each issue?

    The months previously written on magazine covers changed to issue numbers. Below are the suggested instructional months for each issue based on the magazines’ arrival dates, but Explorer can be used at any time during the school year.

    Issue NumberInstructional Month
    No. 1September
    No. 2October
    No. 3November/December
    No. 4January/February
    No. 5March
    No. 6April
    No. 7May

  • What should I do if I am missing part of my order?

    We’re sorry to hear you did not receive your full order. If you ordered more than 50 subscriptions, you should receive additional shipments. If more than five days have passed since the estimated arrival date, please tell us more about your situation via this customer service form.  

  • What should I do if the magazines arrived damaged?

    We’re very sorry that your bundle was damaged. Please tell us more about your situation via this customer service form. We’ll figure out the issue and resolve it as quickly as possible.

Digital

  • How do I get access to my online resources?

    Access your Explorer online resources in three easy steps!

    1. Visit your unique URL

    After subscribing, you will receive an email titled “Welcome! Access to your Explorer magazine subscription” that will include a link to redeem the digital resources associated with your subscription. The email will be sent to you and/or your billing contact, depending on the account information we have on file. 

    You can also find your unique URL on the shipping label of your print magazine. 

    Use your unique URL to set up your account at the start of the school year. You will only need to use this unique URL once for the entire school year. 

    Bookmark ExplorerMag.org to return to your resources all year long! 

    2. Create an account or log in

    When accessing your resources for the first time, follow the steps on screen to create an account and validate your email address. When returning to the website, click “Sign In” and enter your email and password.

    3. Access your resources

    Once your account is created and validated, you will be taken to Explorer’s homepage where you will be able to access your resources as they are published online.  Click “View Issue” to view the additional resources for that issue.

    Having trouble getting access?  Let us know by filling out this form.

  • How do my students access the digital magazine?

    1. Visit the student sign in page at NatGeo.org/ExplorerMagStudent. 
    1. Enter the issue-specific password and click “Sign In”. 

    You can find this password by logging into your Explorer account (using the steps above). The student passwords are listed with the teacher resources for each issue.

    1. Students will be taken to the digital magazine that corresponds to the password entered.

    The student URL will stay the same all year. Only the student password will change with each edition and month.

  • When can I access my teacher’s guide?

    Teacher’s guides are posted online monthly, following the 2019-2020 schedule below. Subscribers can go to NatGeo.org/ExplorerMagResources to sign in and download Teacher’s guides.

    Issue Number

    Suggested Instructional Month(s)

    Estimated date online

    No. 1

    September

    8/16/2019

    No. 2

    October

    9/13/2019

    No. 3

    November/December

    10/11/2019

    No. 4

    January/February

    12/13/2019

    No. 5

    March

    2/14/2020

    No. 6

    April

    3/13/2020

    No. 7

    May

    4/10/2020

  • What is a redeem code?

    A redeem code is a unique set of numbers and/or characters that, when entered or added to your Explorer online account, gives you access to the digital materials that accompany your subscription.  

    Before the start of each school year, subscribers will receive an email with their redeem code embedded in a unique URL. The unique URL is also included on the shipping label of the teacher’s copy of the magazine.

    The URL and redeem code only needs to be entered once for the entire school year.

  • How do I add a redeem code to my existing account?

    Enter your redeem code in 3 easy steps:

    1. Log in to your Explorer account.
    2. Visit the redeem code page. 
    3. Enter your unique redeem code and click “Submit Code”. You will be alerted that your redeem code was entered successfully.

    Alternatively, visit your unique URL which will enter the redeem code automatically.  After subscribing, you will receive an email with a link to redeem the digital resources associated with your subscription.  You can also find your unique URL on the shipping label of your print magazine.

  • What should I do if I’m having technical difficulties?

    We’re very sorry for the problem. Please let us know via this form. We will respond to you as soon as possible to resolve the issue. If it is an emergency, you can reach a customer service representative at 1-844-601-5020.

  • How do I change my password?

    Change your password in 4 easy steps:

    1. Log in to your Explorer account.
    2. Click on the “Account” icon in the top right corner of your browser. 
    3. Scroll to section labeled “Password” and click “Edit”.
    4. Enter your new password, then click “Save.” You will be alerted that your password was changed successfully.

    If you have forgotten your password before logging in, click “Forgot Password?” on the sign in page.  You will be asked to enter your email address and will receive a link to reset your password.

Miscellaneous

  • Where can I find the poster?

    Each poster is bound in the teacher’s copy. The teacher’s copy is the magazine with the firm bundle cover wrap and mailing label. For every 20 student copies ordered editions, you will receive one teacher’s copy.

  • Where can I find past issues of "Explorer" magazines?

    Issues prior to September 2016 and their digital resources (teacher’s guide, projectable magazine, digital magazine, interactive whiteboard lesson) will no longer be available online. If you are a past subscriber, you may request the teacher’s guide by filling out this form and clicking on the box “Need access to Teacher's Guides prior to May 2016 (Note: back issues are not available) ."

    Issues after September 2016 will remain on the website for subscribers to access.

  • Where can I find the interactive whiteboard lesson?

    As of September 2017, we are no longer publishing interactive whiteboard lessons. However, the activities in the digital magazine may meet your needs.

  • Can I order "Extreme Explorer"?

    As of September 2016, we are no longer publishing Extreme Explorer. However, the Adventurer edition of Explorer may meet your needs.

    The Adventurer edition:

    • Inspires students with real-world adventures and discoveries

    • Develops a deeper understanding of science concepts

    • Builds academic and content vocabulary

    • Engages students with high interest articles and photographs

    • Encourages visual literacy with photos, charts, graphs, and maps

    • Teaches critical-thinking skills

    • Provides engaging, nonfiction text with Lexile levels between 520L-950L

  • Is "Explorer" available in Spanish?

    Currently, Explorer magazine does not offer a Spanish language subscription. However, there are Spanish Explorer books which have been created from past Explorer magazine content, sold by our partners, Cengage Learning. If you want to find out more about these books, see the Cengage Learning catalog.

  • Can I order "Explorer" outside of the US?

    Explorer magazine is available for sale in the educational market in Mexico and Poland. To subscribe, email or call using the information below.

    • Mexico: (01 55) 15 00 60 00, Ext. 6002, 6003 - clientes.mexicoca@cengage.com

    • Poland: +48 58 322 45 60 - ngodkrywca@nowaera.pl

Contact Us

  • How can I contact "Explorer" magazine?

    1. Online: Fill out our customer service form 

    2. Email: ExplorerMag@ngs.org

    3. Phone: 1-844-601-5020 (Mon-Thurs 8:30am-6pm ET and Fri 8:30am-5pm ET)

    4. Fax: 937-890-0221

    5. Mail:

    Attention to: Explorer Magazine
    National Geographic Society
    PO Box 291875
    Kettering, OH 45429

  • How can I give feedback?

     

    Please fill out our feedback form, and we thank you for your input! Please note that your responses are 100% anonymous and will not be responded to by a customer service representative. If you need assistance with your Explorer magazine subscription, please fill out our customer service form here.

  • What if I have another question?

    Fill out our customer service form or email us at ExplorerMag@ngs.org. We will respond to your inquiry within two business days. You can also call customer service toll-free at 1-844-601-5020, Monday-Thursday 8:30 am-6pm ET and Friday 8:30 am-5pm ET.

  • What should I have ready when I call customer service?

    If you are a current subscriber, you should supply your current account number (from your address label or invoice).