About Us

The Dorset Expeditionary Society is a registered charity founded to encourage safe adventurous opportunities for young people. By training and challenging our youngsters we seek to cultivate and promote the personal qualities of service, self sufficiency and leadership. The society's leaders are all volunteers and its programmes are specifically targeted at increasing the scope and depth of challenge to all participants.

Annually, in conjunction with schools the Society's leaders field some sixty residential courses involving over 2000 young people. Almost every week of the year, at least one expedition leaves Dorset. Predominantly groups come from schools, colleges or clubs to work with our leaders. The ventures will take place in the 'wild country' areas of Dartmoor, Wales and Scotland. Youngsters will rock climb, mountain bike, camp, canoe, parachute, cave, hill walk and pony trek. They will learn new skills and raise their physical fitness but more importantly, they will live together in a situation in which co-operation, tolerance and teamwork are essential.

In keeping with its aim to encourage the development of all young people, the Society actively seeks to provide disadvantaged and disaffected youngsters with opportunities for adventure and exploration. In so doing we clearly recognise that those most in need of such experiences are the least able to ask for them, or indeed recognise their worth.

We provide sponsorship so that the financially disadvantaged may join in with their more fortunate peers; through schools and associations we provide opportunities for those with physical and learning difficulties and adventure development courses.