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Participant
Risk/Return
Investment Objective

The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold Investor Shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)
Shareholder Fees (Vanguard Explorer Fund Participant) Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Investor Shares
Sales charge (load) imposed on purchases none
Purchase Fee none
Sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends none
Redemption Fee none
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Vanguard Explorer Fund Participant) Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Investor Shares
Management Fees 0.49%
12b-1 Distribution Fee none
Other Expenses 0.03%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses [1] 0.52%
[1] The expense information shown in the table has been restated to reflect estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

Example

The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund's Investor Shares with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over various periods if you invest $10,000 in the Fund's shares. This example assumes that the Shares provide a return of 5% a year and that total annual fund operating expenses remain as stated in the preceding table. The results apply whether or not you redeem your investment at the end of the given period. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Expense Example, No Redemption (Vanguard Explorer Fund Participant) Vanguard Explorer Fund (USD $)
1 YEAR
3 YEAR
5 YEAR
10 YEAR
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Investor Shares
 53 167 291 653

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or 'turns over' its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in more taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the previous expense example, reduce the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 65% of the average value of its portfolio.

The Fund invests mainly in the stocks of small companies. These companies tend to be unseasoned but are considered by the Fund's advisors to have superior growth potential. Also, these companies often provide little or no dividend income. The Fund uses multiple investment advisors.

An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or even long periods. You should expect the Fund's share price and total return to fluctuate within a wide range, like the fluctuations of the overall stock market. The Fund is subject to the following risks, which could affect the Fund's performance:

Stock market risk, which is the chance that stock prices overall will decline. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.

Investment style risk, which is the chance that returns from small-capitalization growth stocks will trail returns from the overall stock market. Historically, small-cap stocks have been more volatile in price than the large-cap stocks that dominate the overall market, and they often perform quite differently.

Manager risk, which is the chance that poor security selection will cause the Fund to underperform relevant benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective. Significant investment in the information technology sector subjects the Fund to proportionately higher exposure to the risks of this sector.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Annual Total Returns

The following bar chart and table are intended to help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Fund's Investor Shares has varied from one calendar year to another over the periods shown. The table shows how the average annual total returns of the Investor Shares compare with those of a relevant market index, which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. Keep in mind that the Fund's past performance does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available on our website at vanguard.com/performance or by calling Vanguard toll-free at 800-662-7447.
Annual Total Returns - Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares
Bar Chart

1 The year-to-date return as of the most recent calendar quarter, which ended on June 30, 2014 was 2.32%

During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a calendar quarter was 19.79% (quarter ended June 30, 2009 ), and the lowest return for a quarter was -26.16% (quarter ended December 31, 2008 ).
Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
Average Annual Total Returns (Vanguard Explorer Fund Participant) Vanguard Explorer Fund
One Year
Five Years
Ten Years
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes
Participant
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes
Retail
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Investor Shares
 44.36% 23.08% 9.20%    
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Investor Shares Russell 2500 Growth Index
 40.65% 24.03% 10.11% (reflects no deduction for fees or expenses) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
Participant:
Risk/Return
Investment Objective

The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold Admiral Shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)
Shareholder Fees (Vanguard Explorer Fund Participant:) Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Admiral Shares
Sales charge (load) imposed on purchases none
Purchase Fee none
Sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends none
Redemption Fee none
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Vanguard Explorer Fund Participant:) Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Admiral Shares
Management Fees 0.33%
12b-1 Distribution Fee none
Other Expenses 0.02%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses [1] 0.35%
[1] The expense information shown in the table has been restated to reflect estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

Example

The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund's Admiral Shares with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over various periods if you invest $10,000 in the Fund's shares. This example assumes that the Shares provide a return of 5% a year and that total annual fund operating expenses remain as stated in the preceding table. The results apply whether or not you redeem your investment at the end of the given period. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Expense Example, No Redemption (Vanguard Explorer Fund Participant:) Vanguard Explorer Fund (USD $)
1 YEAR
3 YEAR
5 YEAR
10 YEAR
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Admiral Shares
 36 113 197 443

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or 'turns over' its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in more taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the previous expense example, reduce the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 65% of the average value of its portfolio.

The Fund invests mainly in the stocks of small companies. These companies tend to be unseasoned but are considered by the Fund's advisors to have superior growth potential. Also, these companies often provide little or no dividend income. The Fund uses multiple investment advisors.

An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or even long periods. You should expect the Fund's share price and total return to fluctuate within a wide range, like the fluctuations of the overall stock market. The Fund is subject to the following risks, which could affect the Fund's performance:

Stock market risk, which is the chance that stock prices overall will decline. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.

Investment style risk, which is the chance that returns from small-capitalization growth stocks will trail returns from the overall stock market. Historically, small-cap stocks have been more volatile in price than the large-cap stocks that dominate the overall market, and they often perform quite differently.

Manager risk, which is the chance that poor security selection will cause the Fund to underperform relevant benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective. Significant investment in the information technology sector subjects the Fund to proportionately higher exposure to the risks of this sector.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Annual Total Returns

The following bar chart and table are intended to help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Fund's Admiral Shares has varied from one calendar year to another over the periods shown. The table shows how the average annual total returns of the Admiral Shares compare with those of a relevant market index, which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. Keep in mind that the Fund's past performance does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available on our website at vanguard.com/performance or by calling Vanguard toll-free at 800-662-7447.
Annual Total Returns - Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares
Bar Chart

1 The year-to-date return as of the most recent calendar quarter, which ended on June 30, 2014 was 2.40%

During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a calendar quarter was 19.87% (quarter ended June 30, 2009 ), and the lowest return for a quarter was -26.11% (quarter ended December 31, 2008 ).
Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
Average Annual Total Returns (Vanguard Explorer Fund Participant:) Vanguard Explorer Fund
One Year
Five Years
Ten Years
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes
Participant:
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Admiral Shares
 44.59% 23.28% 9.39%  
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Admiral Shares Russell 2500 Growth Index
 40.65% 24.03% 10.11% (reflects no deduction for fees or expenses)
Retail
Risk/Return
Investment Objective

The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold Investor Shares or Admiral Shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)
Shareholder Fees (Vanguard Explorer Fund Retail) Vanguard Explorer Fund (USD $)
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Investor Shares
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Admiral Shares
Sales charge (load) imposed on purchases none none
Purchase Fee none none
Sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends none none
Redemption Fee none none
Account Service Fee (for certain fund account balances below $10,000) 20 20
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Vanguard Explorer Fund Retail) Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Investor Shares
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Admiral Shares
Management Fees 0.49% 0.33%
12b-1 Distribution Fee none none
Other Expenses 0.03% 0.02%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses [1] 0.52% 0.35%
[1] The expense information shown in the table has been restated to reflect estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

Examples

The following examples are intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund's Investor Shares or Admiral Shares with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. They illustrate the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over various periods if you invest $10,000 in the Fund's shares. These examples assume that the Shares provide a return of 5% a year and that total annual fund operating expenses remain as stated in the preceding table. The results apply whether or not you redeem your investment at the end of the given period. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Expense Example, No Redemption (Vanguard Explorer Fund Retail) Vanguard Explorer Fund (USD $)
1 YEAR
3 YEAR
5 YEAR
10 YEAR
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Investor Shares
 53 167 291 653
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Admiral Shares
 36 113 197 443

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or 'turns over' its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in more taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the previous expense examples, reduce the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 65% of the average value of its portfolio.

The Fund invests mainly in the stocks of small companies. These companies tend to be unseasoned but are considered by the Fund's advisors to have superior growth potential. Also, these companies often provide little or no dividend income. The Fund uses multiple investment advisors.

An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or even long periods. You should expect the Fund's share price and total return to fluctuate within a wide range, like the fluctuations of the overall stock market. The Fund is subject to the following risks, which could affect the Fund's performance:

Stock market risk, which is the chance that stock prices overall will decline. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.

Investment style risk, which is the chance that returns from small-capitalization growth stocks will trail returns from the overall stock market. Historically, small-cap stocks have been more volatile in price than the large-cap stocks that dominate the overall market, and they often perform quite differently.

Manager risk, which is the chance that poor security selection will cause the Fund to underperform relevant benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective. Significant investment in the information technology sector subjects the Fund to proportionately higher exposure to the risks of this sector.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Annual Total Returns

The following bar chart and table are intended to help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Fund's Investor Shares has varied from one calendar year to another over the periods shown. The table shows how the average annual total returns of the share classes presented compare with those of a relevant market index, which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. Keep in mind that the Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available on our website at vanguard.com/performance or by calling Vanguard toll-free at 800-662-7447.
Annual Total Returns - Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares
Bar Chart

1 The year-to-date return as of the most recent calendar quarter, which ended on June 30, 2014 was 2.32%

During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a calendar quarter was 19.79% (quarter ended June 30, 2009 ), and the lowest return for a quarter was -26.16% (quarter ended December 31, 2008 ).
Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
Average Annual Total Returns (Vanguard Explorer Fund Retail) Vanguard Explorer Fund
One Year
Five Years
Ten Years
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes
Participant
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes
Participant:
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes
Retail
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Investor Shares
 44.36% 23.08% 9.20%      
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Investor Shares Return After Taxes on Distributions
 40.58% 22.29% 8.30%      
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Investor Shares Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
 27.32% 18.95% 7.42%      
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Investor Shares Russell 2500 Growth Index
 40.65% 24.03% 10.11% (reflects no deduction for fees or expenses)   (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Admiral Shares
 44.59% 23.28% 9.39%      
Vanguard Explorer Fund - Admiral Shares Russell 2500 Growth Index
 40.65% 24.03% 10.11%   (reflects no deduction for fees or expenses)  

Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown in the preceding table. When after-tax returns are calculated, it is assumed that the shareholder was in the highest individual federal marginal income tax bracket at the time of each distribution of income or capital gains or upon redemption. State and local income taxes are not reflected in the calculations. Please note that after-tax returns are shown only for the Investor Shares and may differ for each share class. After-tax returns are not relevant for a shareholder who holds fund shares in a tax-deferred account, such as an individual retirement account or a 401(k) plan. Also, figures captioned Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares may be higher than other figures for the same period if a capital loss occurs upon redemption and results in an assumed tax deduction for the shareholder.