Forging Futures in the Wild
An academic analysis of the British Exploring Society, the youth development charity shaping lives through wilderness expeditions for over 90 years.
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History & Evolution
Antarctic Origins
The British Exploring Society was founded in 1932 by Surgeon Commander George Murray Levick, a veteran of Captain Robert Falcon Scott's final, ill-fated Antarctic Expedition of 1910-13. Initially established as the "Public Schools Exploring Society," its name evolved over the decades to the "British Schools Exploring Society," then "BSES Expeditions," before adopting its current title in 2012 to reflect its broader reach.
A Ninety-Year Mission
For nine decades, the society has maintained a consistent mission: to foster the development of young people, aged 16-25, through the profound challenges of living and conducting research in remote wilderness environments. These expeditions, which range from the Arctic to the Amazon, are led by unpaid professionals from diverse fields such as outdoor education, teaching, and the Services, ensuring a high standard of mentorship and safety.
The 2011 Svalbard Incident
In August 2011, an expedition in Norway was tragically attacked by a polar bear, resulting in the death of a seventeen-year-old explorer and injuries to several others. Subsequent inquiries by both Norwegian authorities and a private commission chaired by a UK high court judge criticized the expedition's defective firearm and inadequate warning systems, with the judge ruling the accident preventable.[1][2] However, a coroner's inquest in July 2014 ultimately cleared the society of neglect, determining that the failure "was not total or complete."[3]
Operations & Impact
Governance and Membership
The British Exploring Society is a registered charity based at the Royal Geographical Society in London. Young people who successfully complete an expedition are granted lifetime membership. A significant governance change occurred in 2019, when the charity's Articles were amended to restrict voting rights to Governance Members, who are principally the trustees, altering the historical model where all members held voting rights.
Funding and Accessibility
A pivotal shift in the society's funding model occurred in 2020. To enhance accessibility, young people no longer pay a direct fee to participate. Instead, each participant is tasked with a personal fundraising target, determined by a fair means test, to support the charity's broader work. This model aims to remove financial barriers and widen participation from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Social Outreach
The society actively collaborates with a range of partner organizations, such as the social justice charity *Catch 22*, to enable disadvantaged and excluded young people to join its expeditions. The organization reports a significant positive impact, claiming that over 90% of these participants subsequently progress to further training, education, or employment, demonstrating the transformative power of these experiences.[4][5]
Expeditions & Science
Global Reach
While historically renowned for its Arctic expeditions, the society's geographic scope is extensive. It has successfully mounted expeditions to diverse and challenging environments including the Amazon rainforest, India, Kenya, and Papua New Guinea. In recent years, the society has also expanded its operations to include expeditions within the United Kingdom, primarily focusing on the Scottish Highlands.
Scientific Contributions
From its inception, scientific inquiry has been a core component of the society's work. Early expeditions collected valuable fieldwork data and returned specimens for esteemed institutions like the Natural History Museum and the British Museum. Today, this scientific legacy continues through collaborations with universities, world-renowned scientists, and in-country conservation organizations and NGOs.
Research in the Field
The expeditions serve as platforms for long-term research projects, contributing in two primary ways:
- Data Collection: Young explorers are actively involved in gathering objective scientific data, contributing to studies in fields like ecology, geology, and climate science.
- Community Engagement: Expeditions often involve participation in local community conservation efforts and educational initiatives, fostering a sense of global citizenship and environmental stewardship.
Notable Alumni
Leaders in Service & Academia
The society's alumni include distinguished figures such as Field Marshal Sir John Chapple, who became Chief of the General Staff of the British Army and later served as the society's president. Admiral of the Fleet Lord Lewin was one of the first state school pupils to join an expedition in 1938. In academia, Professor David Rhind, former Director General of the Ordnance Survey, began his surveying career on a 1962 expedition.
Authors & Adventurers
Famed author Roald Dahl chose to join an expedition to Newfoundland at age eighteen instead of attending university. More recently, Tori James, a 2000 expedition alumna, became the youngest British female and first Welsh woman to summit Mount Everest in 2007, after also completing a 360-mile race to the Magnetic North Pole.
Influence in Politics & Technology
The impact of the society extends into diverse professional fields. Colin Tongs, a member of a 1954 expedition, went on to become a Royal Signals Radio Officer and later served as an adviser to the Reagan Administration in 1987. The experiences gained on these expeditions have consistently proven to be formative for individuals who go on to achieve prominence in their respective careers.
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References
References
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional guidance regarding expeditions, wilderness survival, or safety protocols. Always consult with qualified professionals and the official organization for specific information. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.