Contact Us / FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Getting started

  • What is expected of me, will I have to do lots of paperwork?

    We will communicate directly with the young people on our expedition programmes and we would encourage you to let them take responsibility for their preparation and planning.

    If your young person is under 18 we will require parental consent for them to join an expedition and for you to act as a guarantor against any shortfall in their fundraising.

  • What happens if we sign up and my young person changes their mind and decides they don’t want to go any more?

    Taking part in a programme with us is a commitment. Before taking a place on an expedition programme all Young Explorers will have a conversation with one of our team members when they can ask and be asked detailed questions as well as access detailed programme information, dates and their fundraising target in order to make an informed decision. If they decide they do not want to go after they have accepted their place on the programme then they can withdraw or defer their place to the following year. All donations made to the charity are non-refundable.

  • What will my young person gain from the experience?

    For their own personal development the successful completion of a British Exploring Society Programme indicates that a young person has developed and reflected on their: Perseverance, stamina, communication, tolerance and team working skills, practical problem-solving ability, self-discipline, motivation, capacity for hard work, maturity, and leadership.

    Our Young Explorers return back not only with these skills but often with lifelong friends and become part of a broader community of explorers.

  • Can my young person come home from expedition early?

    Emergency repatriation is part of the contingency we put in place to allow us to travel to remote locations. If a participant is well, but not enjoying themselves, we will we do everything possible to support them to get the most out of being on expedition with us.

What are the costs?

  • What does fundraising for expedition involve?

    To learn more about how fundraising targets are set and how young people can fundraise for their expedition programme, click here.

  • What does each programme include?

    Prior to expedition we provide:

    • Support throughout the application process from our dedicated and experienced team.
    • On-going help and advice on anything you need from our UK office, including support through calls, your expedition Facebook group and newsletters.
    • A Welcome Pack to help you get started including a fundraising guide and a British Exploring Society t-shirt.
    • An expedition Briefing Weekend or Training Week to help to get everything prepared, to meet your fellow Explorers and Expedition Leaders.

    On Expedition:

    • An adventurous expedition programme that exhilarates, challenges and inspires in preparation for life and work
    • High ratios of leadership and training from world-class expedition professionals
    • Comprehensive travel insurance
    • All accommodation and subsistence (incl. ration packs and fresh food)
    • All basic expedition and group equipment (e.g. tents, stoves) and technical and safety equipment (e.g. ropes, helmets & harnesses)
    • 24/7 support network based in the UK
    • In-country agents providing localised expertise

    After Expedition:

    • Lifetime membership of British Exploring Society and certificate
    • John Muir Explorer Award Certificate
    • Support with your Duke of Edinburgh Award (residential only)
    • Next Steps Event (preparation for progression in education or employment)
  • What does each programme not include?

    Flights and visa costs, personal expedition kit and any costs related to vaccinations and medications are not normally included. In some cases some or all these might be covered.

    We organise group flight bookings so that our Young Explorers and Leaders can travel out and back together.

For other enquiries

For all general enquiries please complete the below form.

Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AR+44 (0)20 4534 0777