Wildestan Adventures

Take a look back on our previous adventures in Wildestan

wildestan adventures 2021 season 2

Survival in the Wild: Preventing and Managing Hypothermia | 5pm, 22nd June

Our Wildestan Adventure tonight is another in our ‘Survival in the Wild’ mini-series, this time focusing on how to prevent and manage hypothermia on expeditions. Expert Daniel Grace will demonstrate layering to prevent becoming cold, what hypothermia is and the main symptoms to watch out for, and how to treat a conscious and unconscious patient you suspect is suffering from Hypothermia. It will be full of useful tips and lots of chances to get involved, inviting you to tell us how you would deal with some scenarios.

Survival in the wild: Open fire cooking | 5pm, 15th June

In this Adventure, British Exploring Society's Expedition Manager Nick will teach you the basics of cooking on a fire. Learn to think about what is available to you in the wilderness and what to bring with you to cook a delicious meal on a wild camping adventure. Leave the session having learned three new recipes to take away and try at home.

Survival in the wild: Water | 5pm, 8th June

Join Mountain Leader Daniel Mazhindu to learn how you can identify water sources. Exploring different options when out and about in the wilderness, you will 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!

The diversity of coastal heathland in Jersey | 5pm, 25th May

Heathlands are important habitats for a wide range of wildlif, and have a long history of supporting humankind by providing many useful resources. L'Oeilliere, the location for this Wildestan Adventure, is on the west coast of Jersey. It has a burial chamber from the Neolithic period, World War Two structures, and a diverse range of minute plants and insects. Take part to learn about the value of biodiversity and to explore a little slice of Jersey.

A personal reminder: tools to develop your life purpose | 5pm, 18th May

Join mental health Expert Andrew to explore how you can find a life calling based on your personal skills. Discover tools that can help you identify your goals and how to move towards them by learning about how our brains work when it comes to emotion and making goal-based decisions.

Fish 'n' chips gone wild | 5pm, 11th May

As an experienced Base Camp Manager, Sara will be cooking up a storm and taking you through how to plan and prepare nutritious and tasty food in wild environments. In this Adventure coming live from the river Salzach in Austria, you will learn how to make fish and chips - even when resources are limited. This is also a cheap and cheerful recipe to make and enjoy at home and get adventurous with food.

Wellbeing | 5pm, 4th May

Our next adventure in Wildestan will focus on wellbeing in advance of UK Mental Health Awareness Week. Join sustainability expert Jay and learn about what affects wellbeing, techniques to improve wellbeing at home, and tips and tricks to manage your mood.

A woodland walk in Wildestan | 5pm, 27th April

Join Wildestan Expert and woodland enthusiast Bruce Manning as he demonstrates how to identify tree species in seasons when they don't have leaves and learn about their important role in our natural world.

Roaming the quarries of Wales | 5pm, 20th April

During this Adventure we will look at an 18th Century Limestone quarry and Iron Works. Looking at how the landscape has dramatically changed, the geology of the area and some of the history of Wales. This will be an interactive adventure, you will have the opportunity to engage with Dan, choose different tasks for him and direct him to different areas in the quarry throughout the adventure.

wildestan adventures 2021 season 1

Capture your adventure: journaling for self-discovery | 5pm, 30th March

Ever considered looking at your own personal development through journaling? What about processing your experiences and emotions through journaling? This Wildestan Adventure will explore how journaling can assist you with these and allow you to chart your journey through life, Wildestan Adventures, expeditions, and everything in between.

Sensory approaches to expeditions | 5pm, 23rd March

Our next Wildestan Adventure with Outdoor Education Expert Stuart presents some of the ideas and practices of aesthetic approaches in expeditions. You will learn ways to connect emotionally with expedition experiences and be provided with tools for mental wellbeing to help connect with others, and with the environment and nature you encounter, and understand your own self during this time.

The Great British Waste Off | 5pm, 16th March

How much food do we waste each year, and why does it matter? Join Sustainability Expert Jay in Wildestan to explore this topic and the simple actions that we can take to reduce our food waste. We’ll be thinking creatively to come up with solutions to this important issue, discussing some top tips, and Jay will be demonstrating live some of his favourite recipes for using up leftover food.

Citizen science | 5pm, 9th March

Wildestan Expert Dr Susannah Cass returns to share practical steps on contributing to citizen science projects from the wilderness where you stand. You will have a chance to identify species with Susannah using identification tools and will learn how to share your findings with the world using the I-Naturalist database.

These boots are made for walking | 5pm, 2nd March

Join experienced Mountaineer and Outdoor Educator Taff Raymond who will take you through one of the most important pieces of expedition equipment: your boots. Learn how to use them as an explorer in different terrain and conditions and explore the landscape, discussing problems that may arise due to balance and carrying heavier rucksacks whilst walking on more technical ground.

Explore within | 5pm, 23rd February

During this Adventure, we will explore our emotions (without judgement). This will allow us to better understand ourselves, and others, while exploring the wilderness of the world around us. This is Emotional Intelligence at work. All great explorers will tell you that the biggest challenge of any adventure or expedition is not the physical challenge but the mental one.

Fantastic birds and where to find them | 5pm, 9th February

Conservationist and National Trust Ranger Matthew Scott joins us to explore the bird species you can see in the UK, with a focus on where and how birds build their nests. With National Nest Box Week coming up, Matthew will show you how to make your own bird friendly habitat, from a traditional wooden nest box to creating one from objects you can find lying around at home (including terracotta pots, wellington boots or even an old teapot)!

How to find a lost glove | 5pm, 2nd February

Expert Sarah will be bringing her experience from the South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team to Wildestan this week. With a backdrop of wintery Snowdonian landscapes, you’ll be able to sharpen your detection skills and learn about in-field search techniques used to find people out in the mountains. Take your newfound skills away with you and apply them at home to find that misplaced item!

What lurks in the leaves | 5pm, 26th January

Streaming live from Australia (in the middle of the night!), learn all about the rich abundance of species that can be found in the fallen leaves near your home. Create your own device for separating the leaves from the insects and arthropods using items available in your own home with Environmental educator Chrissy Miller and watch live as she examines and identifies the creatures that live in the wilderness where she stands.

Survival in the wild: Jungle | 5pm, 19th January

Join expert Andy, one of our specialist Jungle Leaders, as he shows us some of the skills needed to survive in one of the true wildernesses of the world. Looking at the jungle environment, movement, camps and fire, this adventure will introduce you to and start to develop skills required to survive in the Amazon and other jungle environments.

Interpreting signs in the wild | 5pm, 12th January

Do you want to know how to predict the weather? Or find North without a compass? Look like a superhuman genius by interpreting signs in natural and built environments. Learn how to estimate how far away something is, calculate the distance to the horizon, or measure the width of a river (without getting your feet wet).

wildestan adventures 2020 Season 2

What would you put on your 'emotional kit list'? | 5pm, 15th December

We’re all used to the idea of packing our raincoat to keep us warm and dry but what do we pack to keep ourselves happy and focused on our expedition? Medic Sophie Redlin will help you to plan to manage your wellbeing when you are far from home. From the role of your teammates to the importance of chocolate - this session will provide you with tools and items for your emotional kit list, to use on expedition and for managing the challenges of everyday life.

What's your PLAN? | 5pm, 8th December

If you’re in an emergency situation where you’re lost or stranded in the outdoors, what do you do? It’s all down to priorities. Work with Expedition Leadership expert James to create a P.L.A.N. for utilising bush craft skills to prioritise your needs in a survival situation.

A (night) walk on the wild side | 5pm, 1st December

In this adventure, Expedition Leader and biologist Susannah Cass will take us for a night walk in the wild. We'll look at the type of kit used to find wildlife at night and then go exploring, practising different techniques for spotting animals in the dark using night vision and sound devices.

Survival in the wild: Preventing & managing hypothermia | 5pm, 24th November

Our next adventure is on how to prevent and manage hypothermia on expeditions. The session, co-presented by our two Experts Alex Taylor and Daniel Grace, will demonstrate layering to prevent becoming cold, what hypothermia is and the main symptoms to watch out for, and how to treat a conscious and unconscious patient you suspect is suffering from hypothermia.

Survival in the wild: When darkness descends | 5pm, 17th November

This Tuesday we'll be streaming live from Hunsdon Mead Nature Reserve, alongside the River Stort, Essex. During this adventure various navigational techniques will be demonstrated to help you navigate in low or poor visibility, such as darkness, fog, hail or snow. You will have the chance to make route decisions along the way and direct our Expert on where to go.

Survival in the wild: Snow | 5pm, 10th November

Join expedition Leader and outdoors enthusiast Abi in exploring the incredible wilderness of the Canadian Yukon. With a backdrop of snowy landscapes and frozen lakes, Abi will demonstrate how to keep safe and warm in this extreme environment. Learn how to build a snow shelter which is achievable when the snow falls in the UK!

Sustainable solutions for the climate crisis | 5pm, 3rd November

Learning about some of the major challenges that face us today, we’ll be looking at sustainable and creative solutions to the climate crisis. Be prepared to use your best creative minds to invent the next ground breaking solution. Jay Ham is an expert in sustainability and he’ll take us on an interactive journey on what's happening to the climate and what we can do about it.

Wildestan Expedition | 3pm, 26th-30th October

Alongside our weekly adventures, we're running an online five-day Wildestan Expedition, taking you through preparation, execution and recording of your expedition experiences. Like all Wildestan adventures, there will be interactive activities, discussions and a chance for you to ask questions of our industry leading expedition leaders as they broadcast to you live from the wilderness where they stand.

Leading when the temperature drops | 5pm, 20th October

In this adventure, leadership expert Nigel Painter will help you to think about different kinds of leadership and consider what sort of leader you are. You will then work through an emergency scenario with Nigel, deciding as a group how you might best support a casualty suffering with the effects of the cold.

Past and Present | 5pm, 13th October

For returning Wildestanians only. As pioneers on our first explorations into Wildestan, we’ll be inviting you to reflect on the programme so far and ask for your help in planning our future journeys through this undiscovered country. Our following adventures will be open to everyone, including new Wildestan Explorers.

WILDESTAN adventures 2020 Season 1

Leave no trace | 5pm, 25th August

Adventure Leader Roly Arnison will explores 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: First aid in a crisis | 5pm, 11th August

In this session, British Exploring Society Medical Leader and Critical Care Paramedic Ben Watts will walk you through a medical crisis in the wild and pass on his expertise. Ben will explain how to call for help and demonstrate some common First Aid practices in a live scenario during the session.

Survival in the wild: Open fire cooking | 5pm, 11th August

In this session, British Exploring Society's Expedition Manager Nick will teach you the basics of cooking on a fire. You will learn the importance of thinking about the resources available to you and what to bring with you to cook a delicious meal on a wild camping adventure. Leave the session with three new recipes to try at home!

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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.