Chief Leader John Vessey addresses his ‘Young Explorers’ 40 years on…

British Exploring Society Members from our Northern Norway 1979 expedition have been enthusiastically organising a reunion event in London and an expedition to Norway. The team are shortly departing to Tromsö and the Lyngen Alps for another adventure together.

By Honor Wilson-Fletcher, British Exploring Society CEO

As the battle for the Seven Kingdoms crashes and roars towards its ending, Game of Thrones offers a compelling homily on the importance of overcoming difference. There’s much dark debate about which leader can best unite warring tribes and clans to overcome existential challenges. When the chips are down (or in this case, the northern wall) you have to know how to overcome difference and get along with people (or giants) who aren’t ‘like’ you if you are going to survive.

By Holly Griffin, Young Explorer, Amazon 2011

I’m Holly and I was a Young Explorer on the Amazon 2011 expedition to the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in Peru. I went on to study Environmental Geography at UCL and now I’m a marine conservationist. My work is in understanding the human side of conservation, and engaging people effectively with ocean issues. I’m interested in human behaviour, ethics and law in relation to ocean conservation.

By Honor Wilson-Fletcher, British Exploring Society CEO

The modern Young Explorer doesn’t have a particular ‘look’ or background. They don’t go to a particular kind of school. They are ambitious, of course - and prepared to tackle the challenges of the outdoors and the wilderness in order to discover their own potential. Other than that - I’d be hard put to create a profile for you.

By Lydia Mason, Les Morgan Leader of the Year winner

Leading expeditions has taken me all over the world; brought me face to face with toxic frogs, venomous snakes, and billions of mosquitoes; pushed me up glaciers, along unexplored trails, and down crocodile-infested rivers; forced me to confront fear, self-doubt, and pain. It has also introduced me to the best bunch of people I could hope to meet and opened up a new world of possibility in my life.

By Honor Wilson-Fletcher, British Exploring Society CEO

Our Expeditions produce art and poetry along with masses of science data and film and our Explorers acquire loads of technical skills too. Learning opportunities in the wild aren’t ring-fenced by subject boundaries.

By Honor Wilson-Fletcher, British Exploring Society CEO

If you can’t be sure what’s going to happen next, it’s best to be well prepared to embrace the unexpected. For young people to be ready for the future they now need to be better-than-average at handling risk, dealing with the unknown, and entrepreneurial to boot.

On reflection, my ten years as a volunteer trustee and latterly Chair with British Exploring Society have been one of the most rewarding experiences of my working life.

The Obituaries page has recently been created to acknowledge the contribution and give our condolences to the families of the remarkable Leaders and Members of British Exploring Society who have sadly passed away.

By Honor Wilson-Fletcher, British Exploring Society CEO

Our last Expedition is back safely, we’re pouring over reports, the tents are hanging to dry from Dartmoor, and we’re planning for next year. It must be nearly Christmas.