Real Life Story: Young Explorer Guardian Lauren

“I was very unsure and anxious to let my son go away in the beginning, and this is natural – but I would say trust in your young person if they are keen to go on expedition – the team is very experienced and looked after them very well throughout. “

My son Emin went on the Dangoor Expedition to the Scottish Highlands! We found out about the opportunity through my sons’ school who told us about British Exploring Society. My son wanted to experience an adventure. He had never experienced anything like this. It was his first time away for so long.

My first thoughts when Emin expressed an interest in going on an expedition with British Exploring Society was nervousness mixed with excitement and hesitancy. It was very reassuring attending the meeting and hearing from the team members and asking questions I needed clarity on. I feel the level of support given to me by British Exploring Society prior to the expedition was good and I found the level of support whilst my son was away to be very good. I called in a few times and was met with one of the team who was understanding and willing to listen to me as a parent & answer any questions I had.

For me personally I experienced a roller coaster of emotions – it was painful being away from my son without any contact for nearly the whole period. But I surprised myself that it was, in reality, manageable. Calling in on occasion really helped to know that all was well on the expedition. It certainly wasn’t easy, but it also gave me time and space to really appreciate what’s important. British Exploring Society have a blog, which I was actually checking a few times a day and it was incredibly lovely to have an insight into how they were doing and what they were doing!

I have found that since Emin has returned, they have an extra inner resilience which shines through, and which manifests itself in the day-to-day challenges of normal life. My son said, “If I can do this – I know I can do anything I want to do”. It wasn’t a holiday, and it wasn’t a walk in the park – it challenged him in so many ways – but he got through and found inner resources which he wouldn’t of known about had he not had this experience.

He is missing the wilderness of the highlands now and is ready for another adventure. Ready to share what he has experienced with his friends at home and me! I was very unsure and anxious to let my son go away in the beginning, and this is natural – but I would say trust in your young person if they are keen to go on expedition – the team is very experienced and looked after them very well throughout. They will experience being out of their familiar environment and it will challenge them, but this is what is needed to grow.

Please support the programme with a donation as this will bring an opportunity to a young person who may really and truly benefit from an experience such as this – one that they will treasure and never forget the resilience they have found within themselves.