British Exploring Society

British Exploring Society is a world class youth development charity with a unique heritage, founded on the belief that challenging experiences can change 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 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.

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, 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.

Today our programmes are needed more than ever.

The NHS is reporting 4000 referrals a week for young people with anxiety and mental health issues. Persistent absence in England’s schools is now at 20% - rising to over 30% in secondary schools serving disadvantaged communities (data; Oasis Community Learning). The term ‘The Anxious Generation’ has been coined for those growing up with social media, and through the pandemic. There has been a drop of over 70% in funding for youth provision in the last 20 years, and our most vulnerable young people have suffered from these cuts most of all.

Here’s a short inspirational video from our Young Explorers sharing their experiences.

Your support will help ensure that more young people can access our programmes and be given the much-needed opportunity to unlock their self-belief. Thank you.

The Crossing of Knoydart 2025

After the huge success of their Sept 2023 Knoydart expedition, British Exploring Society Development Board Members, Arabella & Carlotta are bringing together a diverse new team of 12+ people to take on the Crossing of Knoydart 2025 expedition, 1st-4th May 2025.

The Knoydart Peninsular on Scotland’s West coast is one of the most dramatic and wild places in Scotland. Sandwiched between Lochs Nevis and Hourn, it is only accessible by boat or by walking in, making it one of the UK’s most remote places to access.

Everything about this peninsular is dramatic, from the flanking Fjord-like sea lochs to the immense hills and mountains that loom up from the shore. Though stunningly beautiful, it should not be underestimated as this is big wild country where weather can turn on a sixpence and navigation skills are key.

Over 3 days the team will cover about 37km, and climbing from sea level to over 1,300m, across tough terrain.

Your donation in support of the team is just the encouragement they need to succeed. Thank you.