Places on 2019 expeditions to the Himalayas, Amazon and Yukon now available

LONDON - Jan. 15, 2019 - PRLog -- British Exploring Society (http://www.britishexploring.org/)  -  a youth development charity with a unique heritage founded on the belief that challenging experiences can change lives, has just announced the opening of places for its 2019 Expeditions.

British Exploring Society (BES) has been taking young people on expeditions to remote locations for nearly 100 years and is recognised for empowering and equipping young people with the courage, skills, resilience and determination to make the most of their future.

"Follow in the footsteps of our remarkable past BES Alumni. Their expedition with us was a major turning point in their lives. Roald Dahl was only 17 when he ventured on an expedition with us; Marvin Rees, the first ever Mayor of Afro-Caribbean descent of a European City went with us to Svalbard – like Alex Gregory, who became a 2x Gold Olympic medallist and 7x Guinness Record holder – and Shirin Gerami who after a BES expedition went on to become Iran's 1^st female triathlete. All 'ordinary' people going on to do something extraordinary!" Honor Wilson-Fletcher, CEO of BES said.

Expeditions to wild locations in the Canadian Yukon, Peruvian Amazon, and Indian Himalayas are available to all young people aged 16-25.  Everyone who applies is asked to make a personal commitment to their experience – whether through fundraising/volunteering or other activities to support their expedition.

All BES expeditions are designed with a real focus on the stand-out skills, knowledge and personal development that will be gained from the experience.

A number of "fires" (sub groups of around 10 Explorers) are formed on all the expeditions – striking out from a base camp to explore and wild camp even more remotely, completing scientific field work (with Chief Scientists) creative projects (with Media Leaders) taking on new challenges and adventures as each young person develops their confidence in the wild. On every expedition, Explorers make a commitment to sustainability as part of their learning.

Canadian Yukon (going since 1948)

Starting out from Whitehorse in the Yukon, Explorers climb peaks, trek or paddle through wild landscapes, enjoy rich flora and fauna, track moose, elk and caribou, and camp beside the river bank for 3 or 5 weeks. Lucky Explorers may also see the Northern Lights.

"Being away from every day life has really changed my perspective on the world" – Benedict

Indian Himalayas (going since 1988)

Experience high-altitude trekking in the world's highest mountain range and visit isolated and unnamed peaks starting out from Ladakh with a basecamp in the Zara Valley.  Study and live for 5 weeks in an area rich in wild flower meadows and rare wildlife including snow leopards, Tibetan antelope and herds of yak.

"'It's a challenge to your physical and mental self… be brave, be happy doing it"' - Nitin

Peruvian Amazon (going since 2002)

Experience the biodiversity of the Amazon starting out at a basecamp near in the Pacaya Samiria Reserve outside of Iquitos in Peru. You may be surveying wild monkeys, birds, snakes, butterflies and a huge array of reptiles.  The expedition also undertakes sustainable community projects working with the San Martin community on the other side of the river. 3 weeks or 5 weeks.

"Life-changing. I have learnt more about myself than I ever thought I could know, a journey of self-discovery" - Dasha

For more information: http://www.britishexploring.org/join-an-expedition.aspx


About British Exploring Society (BES)

British Exploring Society (BES) is a youth development charity with a unique heritage founded on the belief that challenging experiences can change lives. BES is known for empowering and equipping young people with the courage, skills, resilience and determination to make the most of their future.

BES prepares and takes young people (between the ages of 14 and 25) on expeditions to remote locations where they face challenges, gain skills and learn about themselves - as well as acquiring knowledge relevant to their lives and to the fragile environments that they explore.

Since 1932, BES has taken 11,000 young people ion these expeditions and the results are transformative – not just in terms of practical skills and resilience, but in a new-found confidence and self-belief which they carry forward to their future life.

More than this, through their adventure together, the young people forge friendships for life and become part of a unique supportive and continuing community of explorers with shared experiences, values and perspectives on the world.

For further information about British Exploring Society visit  http://www.britishexploring.org/ or contact Anouk Jacob, PR & Communications Manager on anouk@britishexploring.org