Brathay Exploration Group

Brathay Exploration Group is a not-for-profit charity which has been providing worldwide youth expeditions since 1947. Based in Ambleside, Cumbria, BEG aims to run around ten expeditions per year, to destinations all over the world. The group is aimed at young people (aged 15-25) from all backgrounds who share an interest in the outdoors and who want to "learn new skills, make new friends, gain new self-confidence and discover new places on expeditions, in the UK, Europe and worldwide". Run predominantly by volunteers, BEG prides itself on having only one full-time member of staff (Graham Watson), with leaders contributing to expedition costs and giving their time freely.

History

Founded in 1947, Brathay has since taken almost 10,000 participants on almost 700 expeditions all over the world. In 1997 the Royal Geographical Society awarded BEG a Special Medal "for services to exploration and youth adventurous activities". The Group was a founder member of the Young Explorers' Trust and has published a number of scientific and other reports, which are available from the Royal Geographical Society Expedition Advisory Centre.

Group Structure

Brathay Exploration Group Trust Ltd. is a Registered Charity (Reg.No. 1061156) run by a Board of elected Trustees, with the assistance of various committees. All of the Trustees and Committee Members are volunteers, with the exception of the Group's only employee, its full-time Director, Graham Watson. The Director is responsible for running the Group's Office and Headquarters at Shackleton Lodge, both of which are situated beside the River Brathay near Ambleside in Cumbria. All of its Expedition Leaders are also volunteers, many having risen through the ranks of members to eventually plan and implement their own trip. As the Group is a small voluntary organisation, it always has a very friendly, cooperative and fun atmosphere.

2008 Expeditions

India

Community project and high altitude trekking in the remote Himalayan region of Spiti followed by sightseeing in Agra and Delhi

Morocco

Mountain and desert trekking in the Atlas Mountains including the ascent of the 4167m peak of Jbel Toubkal

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Everything you need to obtain the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Expedition

Corsica

Trekking the GR20 across the Mediterranean island of Corsica

Foula

Explore the remote Scottish island of Foula, carring out wildlife surveys for the Shetland Biological Records Centre

Taster Weekends

Spend a weekend in the Lake District gaining more outdoor experience, making friends and learning new camping skills

Mountain Leader Training and Assessment

Courses run on behalf of [http://www.mltuk.org Mountain Leader Training England]

Other Annual Events

There are a number of regular events throughout the year:

Annual Reunion

There is an annual reunion (usually over the first weekend in the October half-term), where members and leaders of expeditions reunite and relive the fun of their expedition. In recent years, this has taken the form of formal presentations, followed by more informal discussions over drinks, followed by a ceilidh. The Annual Raft Race is also now a regular event.

Annual Dinner

There is also an annual dinner (usually held in January), where members can meet up and discuss past and future trips, as well as catching up on each other's news in yet another excuse for people to socialise!.

Leaders' Weekend

The main Leaders' weekend (usually held in March) is where leaders meet to discuss one another's trips, plan future events, feedback into the Group and receive relevant information and training. It is also where most of the expeditions undergo their external vetting.

Young Leaders' Weekend

The Young Leaders' weekend (usually held in April) is where young leaders are invited to come along and become more involved in the Group. It allows members who have been on a number of expeditions to take the next step in leading their own trip.

Taster Weekends

Recently introduced, these weekends are designed to allow new members and leaders to see what Brathay is all about, as well as giving existing members the opportunity to meet others within the group and further their own skills, without having to attend a full expedition. It is also hoped that old members will also return to the club by attending one of these events!

Previous Expeditions

¹ Expedition cancelled² Due to problems in Kashmir, this expedition was altered to go to Morocco

External links

* [http://www.brathayexploration.org.uk/ Brathay Exploration Group]
*UK charity|1061156