1)
How do I become a Young Explorer (YE)?2)
Do I need to be experienced in the outdoors?3)
I am not very fit at the moment... how important is fitness?4)
Do you accept young people with disabilities?5)
What about Science?6)
Where does BSES mount expeditions?7)
How will I raise the contribution?8)
What kit will I need?9)
Will I meet other YEs before the expedition?10)
I have a particular medical condition do I have to tell anybody?11)
This is a mixed expedition will I have to share a tent with somebody of the other sex?12)
What happens in case of an emergency?13)
What happens after the expedition?
How do I become a Young Explorer (YE)?
All you need is to be aged 16 to 20 years at the start of the expedition for summer expeditions or 18 to 23 years for gap year and leadership expeditions. The Society recruits young men and women from schools, colleges and organisations nationwide, together with a number of overseas candidates and guests. A wide variety of qualities are looked for in our applicants, but enthusiasm, determination, common sense, the ability to work as a member of a team, physical fitness and a sense of humour are high on the list. The aim is not to select an elite group but a team of youngsters who will both benefit from, and contribute to the experience. For more details on how to join an expedition go to our
Apply as a Young Explorer page.
It is important for applicants to have a basic knowledge of camping, hill walking and outdoor activities in general but, as any successful expedition must have a wide cross-section of abilities among their members, there are opportunities for all types of young people whether academic, artistic or adventurous. If you do not have much previous outdoor experience we do recommend you get some. Experience can be gained in a number of ways:
- By joining a local Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, perhaps through your school or youthclub.
- By going camping/walking with friends or family.
- Joining a local climbing/mountaineering/outward bound club. Or perhaps form your own club at school/Uni.
- Joining your local Explorer Scouts Group.
Thorough training is provided at the briefing weekend and early in the expedition to bring all expedition members up to a similar level, so don't worry if you are not a mountaineering superhero we just need people who are keen to learn.
I am not very fit at the moment because I have been doing exams....how important is fitness?
Your enjoyment of the expedition will depend on you having a reasonable level of fitness right from the start. So it is essential that you begin to get fit as soon as possible. Find a sport or activity that you enjoy and build it into your weekly routine. As a rough guideline in the months before the expedition you should be doing 3 training session a week. Exercise can actually help you concentrate on your revision and give you a break from sitting at a desk, so don't use exams as an excuse. Set yourself a target and stick to it or you will be struggling to keep up with your fellow fire members on expedition. We will talk about fitness at the expedition briefing weekend.
Do you accept young people with disabilities?
The Society aims to promote equal opportunities and welcomes applications from those with a physical disability. However, due to the physical nature of the expeditions, we regret that anyone who does not have full walking mobility cannot be considered.
What about Science?
The expeditions aim to combine the excitement of living under testing conditions with the research and production of valuable scientific work. Science projects vary with each expedition. They can range from glaciology to geomorphology, biodiversity studies to botanical studies, zoology to... All our science projects are hands-on and you will hopefully learn to appreciate and understand this new environment and how it works. Many of the Society's members have gone on to study sciences at university and have benefited from the fieldwork skills they learnt on expedition. Some have gone on to play leading roles in major international science projects but don't worry if you don't plan on studying science after school. We aim to make our science work interesting and accessible to everyone and bring some key environmental issues to life through practical fieldwork. Read more about our science projects on our
BSES Science page.
BSES visits three main environments
Arctic/Antarctic - to monitor climate change
Jungle - to measure biodiversity
Mountains - to investigate human interaction with, and impact on, the environment
What's included in my expedition contribution?
Your expedition contribution covers:
All in-country costs
This covers all your transport, food, accommodation, fuel, specialist equipment, park fees, airport taxes, local equipment purchase or hire and miscellaneous costs.
Training and preparation
This includes your briefing weekend, fundraising booklet, mentoring, regular liaison with a dedicated Expedition Coordinator, individual medical clearance and medical consultancy, expedition handbooks, destination research and specialist leader training.
Expedition equipment
Including tents, ropes, harnesses, snow shovels, full expedition medical supplies, freeze-dried rations, pulks (sledges), skis and all other specialist equipment.
Safety Equipment
Including buoyancy aids, helmets, EPIRB satellite beacons, radios, satellite phones, GPS receivers and flares.
Insurance
We take out comprehensive cover against cancellation, curtailment, loss of baggage and personal effects, accident, repatriation and injury. We also provide each team with 24-hour back-up from the UK throughout the expedition.
Medical Assistance
Membership of international medical assistance agency International SOS that support us in medical emergencies and evacuations.
Expedition Logistics
Transport of all the equipment to the expedition; for Arctic expeditions this involves freighting a shipping container packed with all the food, expedition and safety equipment three months in advance. Expedition reconnaissance trip establishing and monitoring relationship with local contacts.
- Expedition report
- Annual gathering
- BSES membership until January 2009
It does not include:
- Vaccinations and visas (if required) and personal equipment such as your boots, sleeping bag and rucksack.
- Transport within the UK
- Snacks and souvenirs en-route to the field
- The airfare - this is booked by BSES and you then pay the travel agent direct
- Leader salaries all our leaders volunteer their time free of charge
How will I raise the contribution?
Raising money is the first challenge you will face but don't worry thousands of Young Explorers before you have managed to raise the money and so will you! Fundraising can be fun and rewarding. Through managing your own fundraising programme you will learn many new skills and we can provide advice, mentor support and bursaries to help you every step of the way towards reaching your targets. Visit the Fundraising page for more information and advice on generating funds for the expedition.
What kit will I need?
You will need to provide your own personal kit; this includes a rucksack, walking boots, waterproof/windproof jacket and a sleeping bag. BSES provides all group equipment such as tents, stoves, ice axes etc. BSES will provide you with a detailed kit list and we will give you lots of advice at the briefing weekend on what kit is most suitable for your specific expedition. The most important thing to remember is that you do not need to spend a lot of money on each item of kit, many items can be borrowed or bought second hand. We recommend that, if possible, YEs window shop until after the expedition briefing weekend when they can ask their leaders for advice on kit.
Will I meet other YEs before the expedition?
Yes! At the briefing weekend which takes place in April for the summer expeditions usually in central England. This weekend will cover everything you need to know before going on the expedition! It gives you the chance to meet up with all the other expedition members and to find out more about what your expedition will involve. You will learn new outdoor skills, train in the correct and safe use of equipment, get advice about kit, compare fundraising ideas and come together as a team through various problem solving and teamwork activities. The two days are an enjoyable and important time for you to prepare for the expedition.
I have a particular medical condition do I have to tell anybody?
Yes. Most medical conditions can be dealt with easily but it is essential that we know about them as early as possible so that we can make any necessary arrangements. There is a space to mention medical conditions on your application form. Once you have a confirmed place on an expedition you will be sent a medical questionnaire which must be signed by your doctor so we have full details of your medical history. This will then be passed onto your expedition doctor. You will get a chance to discuss any medical concerns with the expedition doctor during the briefing weekend. You need to ensure that you bring along any medicines which you will need...remember there are no chemists shops where we are going.
This is a mixed expedition will I have to share a tent with somebody of the other sex?
It is usually left up to the expedition members to arrange their own tent groups and hence they can be mixed or single sex. We encourage groups to change tent groups around regularly to avoid cliques. Single sex tent groups can be arranged but we cannot guarantee this in all situations and in some circumstances you may find you need to share a tent with people of the opposite sex, especially if we encounter difficult weather conditions. BSES tents hold 3 young expeditioners which makes possible embarrassment less likely. Learning to live with other people is part of the expedition experience and sexual intercourse is strictly off limits during the expedition.
What happens in case of an emergency?
Firstly each expedition will have at least one doctor with them at all times and all BSES leaders are first aid trained. In the event of an emergency, off-site medical treatment can be arranged through implementation of special evacuation procedures. Detailed and robust major incident plans, communication strategies and evacuation procedures are put in place will in advance of the expedition following a reconnaissance to the expedition area. We also have the support of a major medical support and evacuation company called International SOS. BSES staff at the London head office have 24hr contact with expedition bases, enabling them to liaise directly with the Expedition Leader to ensure maximum safety and security at all times and an efficient response to any problems.
What happens after the expedition?
As well as having made lots of lifelong friendships, completion of your expedition will enable you to join our family of explorers as a full member of the society which entitles you to a host of benefits from discounts as outdoor retailers, to subscription to The Explorer and BSES annual reports containing expedition write ups.
During January of each year, the BSES Expeditions AGM and Annual Gathering is held at the Royal Geographical Society, London. This is open to all BSES Members. Presentations of the previous year's expeditions are given for the benefit of friends, families, and sponsors. YEs may also get the opportunity to meet our Patron, HRH The Duke of York, who attends the gathering on a regular basis. The event is followed by an Explorers Ball where you can catch up with your whole expedition.
top