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

The Knowledge Leader role is new and is an evolution of our former science and media leadership roles. Knowledge Leaders lead a group (“Fire”) of approx. 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

UK Training Volunteer

The UK Training Volunteer has been created for Returning Leaders who are unable to lead with us on expedition this summer but are still keen to be involved and support the charity. The purpose of this role is to help build capacity within our leadership team during Young Explorer training events. We are looking for returning Leaders who are able to help out with a wide range of roles to support their fellow Leaders and Young Explorers on their expedition journey.

Learn more about UK Training Volunteers

2023 provisional dates

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 assessment day in London (please note that this assessment will currently take place remotely online).