LEAD WITH US

We have a wide range of
volunteer Leader roles available

Express an interest Leader Recruitment Pack

While some roles require specific qualifications, we welcome people from all walks of life who can lead, inspire, teach and coach, and who recognise the role exploration and adventure can play in self-development.

Chief Leader

A Chief Leader is the most senior role on an expedition, involved from the outset in planning, devising and leading on an expedition and responsible for ensuring that it meets the aims of British Exploring Society, and is permanently, positively transformative for everyone who participates

Learn more about Chief Leader

Deputy Chief Leader

The Deputy Chief Leader role varies on each expedition. Primarily, it involves acting as the Chief Leader’s ‘Right Hand’ and as a result needs to compliment their skills; hence the role is largely defined by the Chief Leader.

Learn more about Deputy Chief Leader

Knowledge Leader

Knowledge Leaders lead a group (“Fire”) of approximately 12 young explorers in partnership with a second, and possibly third Leader to give direction and inspire curiosity in science, media and the environment.

Learn more about Knowledge Leader

Basecamp Manager

The Basecamp Manager is responsible for many of the logistical aspects of the expedition, including equipment and food as well as managing environmental impact at basecamp.

Learn more about Basecamp Manager

Paddle Leader

Paddle Leaders are responsible for the safety of a group (“Fire”) whilst paddling and/or engaging in activities on, or in the margins of a lake or body of water.

Learn more about Paddle Leader

Medical Leader

Medical Leader teams are devised for each of our expeditions based on a thorough assessment of medical requirements taking into account a range of factors including, but not limited to, the environment, client group and access to local facilities and services.

Learn more about Medical Leaders

Adventure Leader

Our Adventure Leaders are responsible for leading a group (“Fire”) of up to 12 young explorers in partnership with a second and possibly a third leader. Adventure Leaders are responsible for the adventurous activities of the fire during the expedition.

Learn more about Adventure Leaders

Social Leader

Social leaders are an essential and core part of the leadership team. You will lead on delivering youth development activities, as well as provide pastoral care and behavioural support to young people on expedition.

Learn more about Social Leaders

Wildestan Expert

Wildestan is our interactive online programme for Young Adventurers age 14-17. The Wildestan Antarctica programme (2024) gives participants a chance to actively engage with our inspirational UK experts, and a dedicated team residing and operating at Port Lockroy British Antarctica, via live & direct online sessions.

Learn more about becoming a Wildestan Expert here

Reserve Leader

The Reserve Leader role is for Leaders who are on the waiting list to be place on expedition and for those that cannot commit to expedition but wish to assist where they can at Young Explorer training events in the UK.

Learn more about becoming a Reserve Leader here

Knowledge Contributor

Knowledge Contributors will support the implementation of a new bank of standardised knowledge projects - to be developed ready for launch during the 2025 expedition season.

Learn more about becoming a Knowledge Contributor here

Provisional dates for next season

Want to Lead with us?

Express an interest

Once you have expressed an interest, you will be invited to complete an application which will be reviewed and if successful, you will be invited to attend an online assessment day.

"a unique opportunity..."

” I was able to combine and hone that portfolio of experience and channel it into one thing with clear impact, and have fun along the way” – Keira Lockie