Wildestan

The wilderness where you stand

Sign up for Wildestan

Passport-free access to adventure at home.

Spend 30 minutes with one of our professional expedition Leaders, and experience being on expedition together with them and other Wildestan Explorers. From setting up a hammock to making insect traps for a home survey, you can be transported to your first basecamp, take part in new challenges, learn outdoor skills, and find out about the wilderness, without having to leave your home.

Start your Wildestan adventure here. Decide on your own journey in Wildestan by taking part in as many of our 30 minute sessions as you like. And if you really enjoy Wildestan over the summer, you can sign up for our free Wildestan Weekend at the end of the programme where you’ll be able to test your new-found skills in the wild.

  • Age 14-25
  • Free
  • 30 minute virtual adventures
  • 25 spaces per adventure
  • Hosted on Zoom

"The perfect introduction to life on expedition... Safe, professional, fun and engaging."

Chloe Moul, Activities & Adventure Lead, Outcomes First Group

What's Involved?

  • Have fun and challenge yourself to learn something new
  • Develop key outdoors skills, learn about the natural world, and develop your confidence
  • Meet amazing Explorers and Expedition Leaders
  • The chance to join us for a real Wildestan Weekend at the end of the programme to meet some of the young people and Leaders you’ve seen and talked to during your adventures

How do I join?

  • Register. You will receive information via email on the upcoming adventures as they are confirmed and how to join that session.
  • Prepare. All you need is a smartphone, tablet or laptop with a mic and a camera.
  • Take part. We will meet you at our Zoom base camp to start the virtual adventure at the scheduled time and date.

virtual adventures

Show me the ropes | 5pm, 19th May

Guided by James Dyer, our experienced Leader and jungle advisor, in this session James will teach you how to tie useful knots to help put up a hammock and discuss what you should consider when selecting a site to setup a camp.

Fantastic bugs and where to find them | 5pm, 26th May

Experienced scientist and insect specialist Dr Susannah Cass shares some of the fascinating insect life that lives on our doorstep here in the UK. Make your own bug catcher and learn about identifying and recording your finds as part of a citizen science project.

Where on Earth am I?! | 5pm, 2nd June

In this session, Explorer and Expedition Leader Andy Browning will share with you some of his top tips on gaining a basic understanding of direction finding in the outdoors both with and without a compass. You will then have the chance to plan a route for Andy to take in the Leicestershire countryside.

Survival in the wild: Water | 5pm, 9th June

In this session, experienced Mountain Leader Daniel Mazhindu will teach you about how you can identify water sources, exploring different options when out and about in the wilderness and have the chance to guide him to the best one. Once you find the water, Daniel will teach you how you can ensure that the water is safe to drink. This is an essential survival skill on expedition, you won't last very long in the wilderness without safe drinking water.

These boots are made for walking | 5pm, 16th June

In this session, experienced Mountaineer and Outdoor Educator Taff Raymond will take you through one of the most important pieces of expedition equipment: your boots. Together with Taff you will explore the South Wales landscape discussing problems that may arise due to balance and carrying heavier rucksacks whilst walking on more technical ground.

Tracks and trails | 5pm, 23rd June

In this session, experienced Leader James Dyer will be demonstrating to Explorers what to look for when tracking, whether it be animals or humans. You will learn that observation is key when searching for the 6 characteristics of sign whilst following a trail in the Dartmoor woodland. This is your start into the fascinating world of tracking!

Songs of the wilderness | 5pm, 30th June

In this session, experienced Leader and conservation biologist Nando González will be teaching Explorers how to identify birds by sight and sound. From his farm in the Czech Republic, he will demonstrate how you can use birds and their behaviour to find other animals, read the weather, and even find water when out and about in the wilderness.

Leave no trace | 5pm, 7th July

In this session Adventure Leader Roly Arnison will explore the concept of ‘Leave No Trace’. Roly will describe and show you how expedition life can impact the environment and what we can do to avoid or reduce these impacts. Join Roly on Tuesday where he will be delivering his session in the wilderness, where you will have the opportunity to see first-hand some of the effects camping can have on the environment.

Survival in the wild: Fire | 5pm, 21st July

In this session, Social Leader Kim Singh will introduce you to the essential survival skill of fire making. Kim will teach you how to build a ‘5 minute’ fire using a flint and steel, toast some marshmallows and maybe even a chocolate banana! Fire can be seen as dangerous but if managed well and treated with respect and care, it can be a wonderful thing to enjoy and use.

These boots are made for walking | 5pm, 28th July

A repeat of his popular session, experienced Mountaineer and Outdoor Educator Taff Raymond will take you through one of the most important pieces of expedition equipment: your boots. This time coming live from the Scottish Highlands, together with Taff you will explore the landscape while discussing problems that may arise due to balance and carrying heavier rucksacks whilst walking on more technical ground.

Survival in the wild: When things go wrong | 5pm, 4th August

When we are out in the wild, sometimes things can go wrong. In this session, experienced Mountain Leader Daniel Mazhindu will be taking you through what to do in an emergency and how we can make sure we are prepared before we set off. He will cover emergency shelters, to move or not move, and kit to bring. Learn tips to stay safe and how to respond when things go wrong from a mountain rescue expert.

Future Wildestan adventures

Future Wildestan adventures

Interested in joining in with future Wildestan adventures? Sign up for Wildestan to receive reminders to register for upcoming sessions.

Become a Wildestan Explorer

staying safe online

The safety and support of our Young Explorers is the cornerstone on which we build and develop our programmes. All participants in our Wildestan adventures will be asked to agree to our online code of conduct. You can read a copy of it here.

 

adventure starts at home

Join Wildestan today