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Epic Badlands Expedition

Join us on British Exploring and Epic CIC’s first expedition to the Spanish Badlands.

In summer 2017 you could be involved in a journey of a lifetime, trekking through the Badlands of Gorafe. By day you will experience a wilderness that is rich in history, and an awe inspiring desert landscape, and by night you will sleep beneath a star gazers paradise.

You could be part of our first expedition to the Spanish Badlands, where you will plan your routes with your fellow Explorers and your leadership team, navigate to checkpoints to collect your all-important resources and discover a beautiful and diverse landscape. By living with your team for 3 weeks in the wild you will gain friends and skills for life, challenge yourself and experience a truly unique adventure.

You will venture across the desert, through gullies and ravines created over centuries by wind and water which has calved through the layers of rock. You will spot wildlife, native to the Badlands and witness evidence of human life dating back 30,000 years!

How do I get involved

Eligibility: If you are part of an Epic CIC service, and have a referral from an Epic Worker you will be eligible to take part in the expedition. You will also need to have a passport which is in date throughout the duration of your expedition. If you don’t have a passport, don’t worry, your Epic worker will help you apply for a new passport when you have signed up to take part!

Selection: Whilst the UK training programme will offer opportunities for personal development, it will also be used as an opportunity to prepare you for the expedition phase and to select those who will be joining the expedition. We expect to have more Explorers take part in the UK training than for the expedition phase.

Applications: Apply via the online application form, or apply using the paper form and give it to your Epic worker. Your Epic Worker will need to submit a referral form to support and complete your application.

What's involved

• Challenge yourself physically and mentally to try something new
• Meet new people and make friends for life
• Explore an amazing unique landscape like nothing in the UK
• Learn how to live in the outdoors and camp in the wild
• Increase your confidence, communication skills and develop leadership skills whilst working as part of your team
• Take part in the John Muir Award
• Receive support from Epic CIC and British Exploring throughout your participation in the programme
• Become a member of the British Exploring Society

Expedition breakdown

Dates: 24th July – 14th August
Location: Gorafe, Spain
Induction weekend: 21st - 23rd April
Training: 29th May – 3rd June
Follow up Day: TBC
Age Range: 16 - 21
Eligibility: Open to young people engaged with an Epic CIC service with a referral from your Epic Worker
Applications: Open Now
Expedition Cost: Fully funded

What is provided?

• Flights
• Insurance
• Accommodation (tents)
• Food; Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
• Transport in Spain necessary for the completion of the expedition itinerary
• Supervision from a qualified leadership team including Adventure Leaders, Social Leaders and Doctors
• Provision of a full training programme including expedition safety, first aid and navigation (to take place prior to departure and once in country)
• Use of all equipment necessary for the completion of the expedition including sleeping mats, tents, cooking equipment, sleeping bags, compasses and navigation equipment and safety equipment as necessary
• Loan of Waterproof Clothing, walking boots and a rucksack, given to Explorers in Dartmoor

What is not provided?

• Costs relating to application for or renewal of passports
• In most cases, Explorers will be expected to make their own way to designated meeting points at the start of each training event. The costs associated with travel to meeting points will not be covered by the programme
• Transport to the airport on the day of departure from the UK
• Spending money – It should be noted that since most of the expedition is spent in remote locations, there will be little opportunity to spend money, however Explorers should be aware that on the few occasions they may have access to local shops, any purchases made will be at their own expense 

Epic can provide support in the above areas on request and interested candidates should not be discouraged from applying if any of the costs above appear unmanageable. For further details, please contact Zygmunt Dreja on Zygmunt.Dreja@epiccic.org.uk.

Established in January 2014, Epic CIC deliver a comprehensive range of youth support services to children and young people up to the age of 19 and 25, to encourage potential, inspire change and making a positive difference to communities.

You will be invited to attend the final phase of your expedition journey which will take place in London (location TBC) approximately 1 month after your return from expedition. Focus on the Future is a chance for you and your Leaders to reunite after expedition, to reflect on the lessons you learned during your time on the programme, share stories with friends and understand how your expedition skills can help you in your future.