Himalayas/Peruvian rainforest expedition funding opportunity
When I came across the British Exploring Society a few years ago, I was at the beginning of my degree and struggling to find work experience. I began searching the internet night and day, in the hope that I could find an opportunity, any opportunity, to persue my education outside of the university setting. I applied to be a volunteer at Hawaii's Observatory, contacting local quarries, as well applying for BGS's G-BASE opportunities. With little geology experience, I knew I didn't really stand a chance against other students whom were coming to the end of their degrees and had more fieldwork experience. This is when I came across the British Exploring Society.
The fieldwork expeditions they were offering sounded amazing. Adventures all over the world, but just one problem, the price! Souly relying on Student Finance to live, I knew that I wouldn't be able to afford an expedition or pay for the expedition kit. Yet again, that opportunity wasn't going to happen for me. However, it now may be on the horizon and let me tell you why.
#ExploreforMore aims to get people exploring their local areas that bit more than usual. Fifty coins are placed in geocaches around the UK, of which their locations can be found via their webpage. Each coin represents a grant which can be used towards the cost of a British Exploring 2016 Summer expedition! Did I mention 1 coin is worth £2000?! The rest vary from £500 upwards. For me, that expedition looks closer than ever.
When coming across this via Twitter, I text my mum immediately: "When you get in from work, we're going to go for an evening walk!". As you can imagine, she was delighted.
There's a great Geocaching app with GPS which is great to use if you're in the middle of nowhere. It will even give you a hint if you're struggling to find it.
Our local geocache site containing a geocoin was in Great Notley Country Park and once within the vicinity of the geocache, it took only a few minutes to find the box. Mainly due to my inappropriate footwear and inability to climb around trees in flip flops. I immediately took photos and Tweeted my find on Twitter, hoping and praying I was the first to find this geocoin with the hope of a slight chance of winning £2000!
Let me tell you about the expedition I would like to go on. I have applied and have been accepted to be a Trainee Leader on the Himalayas Expedition (!!!!!) where I will co-lead a fire of individuals. Each fire has their own aims, however I am hoping for the obvious, geological mapping! Hopefully this geocoin will enable me to persue the expedition I've always wanted to undertake and just imagine how life changing that would be!
So if you haven't already, get researching and explore your local area. I might be seeing you on an expedition next year!
Good luck finding the geocoins!
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