POSTED ON: 11th Apr 2024

A message to this year's Young Explorers

By British Exploring Society,

Tomorrow marks the first in-person event for our Young Explorers who are headed on overseas expeditions this summer!

It can be both an exciting and nerve-wracking moment as they find the courage to take this big step towards making their life changing adventure a reality.

Who better to hear from at a moment like this, than someone who’s been in that exact position?

Someone who was also a bit nervous about the challenge ahead of them, but who can reassure you of all the amazing moments you have to look forward to.

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Hello, it’s Sunny here!

I’m a Young Member of British Exploring Society, and I am so excited for everyone heading out on your induction this weekend.

I can’t contain my smile just thinking about all the amazing young people packing their bags all over the UK. Each one of them, just like you, choosing to spend their summer walking, camping, getting kinda smelly and eating far too much dried food.

I want to reassure you that everyone coming to the expedition has similar values and is so warm and welcoming, and that makes it a safe space. It is okay to be worried right now, but that won’t last long as you learn more about the experience and meet new people.

From my time with British Exploring Society, I know one of the best things you will experience this summer is going to be living with a group of incredible people on an expedition – all the things they will teach you, and all the things you never knew you could teach others.

Before I went to my induction, I was anxious about pretty much everything there was to be anxious about. Post-lockdown mental health combined with my Autism and ADHD meant even getting on a train alone felt impossible. Yet the ‘me’ that sat in the 1-2-1 chat with my Leaders at the end of the expedition, couldn’t even remember what I had been stressed about.

With the help of my Fire, I had found that all the things about me that I had previously been told-off for, or shamed, or felt self-conscious about throughout school were exactly the same things that helped me and others thrive on expedition. My Leaders even told me then they would be proud to work with me as a Leader in the future.

So, all I can say is what may feel nearly impossible now might not be so far away by the end of your expedition.