Isla Strutt: BES Yukon expedition 2023

Hi, my name is Isla and I have recently been lucky enough to be offered a place on the British Exploring Society's three-week expedition to the Canadian Yukon in the summer of 2023.

As a sixth-form student interested in pursuing a career in environmental conservation and geography, I believe this expedition will help me develop invaluable skills while also deepening my understanding and appreciation of the natural world.

*(Me on my Duke of Edinburgh expedition in 2021)*

The British Exploring Society is a world-class youth development charity founded on the belief that challenging experiences can change lives, empowering and equipping young people with the courage, integrity, skills, resilience and motivation to make the most of their future. They prepare young people, like me, for expeditions to remote locations where they face challenges, acquire outdoor skills, learn about themselves, and undertake projects with content (for example, in science) relevant to their lives and the fragile environments they explore.

This British Exploring Society trip to the Yukon is an exciting opportunity to experience life in the wild first-hand and learn about the world in a way no textbook can teach you. I will be wild camping off-grid for three weeks and this trip will enable me to explore a place I never thought I would have the chance to explore while learning new skills that will last a lifetime. Not only is the Yukon home to Canada's highest peak, largest ice fields, smallest desert and tons of iconic North American animals, but it is also home to many First Nation communities and, on this expedition, I will get the chance to learn about their history and their relationship with the environment.

If you are interested in finding out more about this expedition and the British Exploring Society here's a link to their website :)

As part of my journey to Canada, the British Exploring Society has challenged me to fundraise £3000 by the 15th May 2023 for the charity so they can continue their work and ensure that more young people can be given access to these fantastic expeditions. I aim to do various things to support my fundraising, including a marathon day walk through London's parks and litter-picking in my local area, as well as organising events at my school.

As I prepare for this awe-inspiring trip, I will update this page with all my fundraising efforts and, on my return, I hope to share my experiences with other young people and inspire them to look for similar adventures with greater curiosity for the world around them.

Thank you for considering my cause and my request for support.

Note: the fundraising is not paying for my place on the expedition. It is a donation towards the charity so they can continue their work.