British Exploring Society

Who we are

We are a youth development charity with a unique heritage, founded on the belief that challenging experiences can define lives, empowering and equipping young people with the courage, skills, resilience, and determination to make the most of their future.

We prepare and take young people on adventures and expeditions virtually and to remote locations where they face challenges, acquire skills and learn about themselves – as well as undertaking projects with content relevant to their lives and to the fragile environments that they explore. 

The results are transformative – not just in terms of practical skills and resilience, but in a newfound confidence and self-belief which they carry forward to their future life. More than this, through their adventure together, our 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. 

We have a hardworking core team based in London who are supported by a diverse, and remarkable community of previous Young Explorers (Members) engaged professional volunteers, partners and funders. 

Our core values are Courage, Self-belief, Challenge and Community. 

'We are committed to building a team that represents a diverse variety of backgrounds, skills and perspectives on the world.  The more inclusive we are, the better we think we’ll be at delivering our charitable aims.'

Our culture and values

On expedition – everyone is out of their comfort zone, and that’s a great leveller.

Young people’s expectations of themselves and others are challenged. Experiences are shared and futures are shaped.

Our Young Explorers come from a wide variety of backgrounds; from communities facing high levels of economic and social deprivation and from those where expectations of personal and professional success are high. Often, these people would never cross paths in any other way. With us, they rub shoulders and exchange ideas in tents and canoes, up mountains and in the jungle.

Our work is transformational for everyone who participates. Wider society also benefits from the adventurous, resilient, adaptable team players we help to create.