Our Pioneering Leadership
Under the patronage of the then Prince of Wales, SES initiated the first ever global youth expeditions; Operation Drake in 1976 and Operation Raleigh in 1982, taking young adventurers from many countries and engaging them in worldwide life-changing exploration, citizen science and adventure. This pioneering concept initiated what the world now knows as ‘the Gap Year’. To date, Operations Drake and Raleigh (and recently Raleigh International) have been responsible for encouraging over 40,000 youngsters worldwide.
One of the greatest legacies of the Society is in developing leadership skills in young adventurers, which we believe to be crucial in today’s uncertain political and economic climate, where these skills are much in demand.
In collaboration with Raleigh International and Operation Raleigh Alumni, we launched the SES Raleigh Explorer Award [link to SES Raleigh Explorer Award], an initiative that provides opportunities for young individuals from less advantaged backgrounds in the UK to embark on transformative volunteering opportunities abroad. With the Society's historical ties to Raleigh International through Operation Raleigh, SES joins forces to break barriers, foster diversity, and continue the journey with the Raleigh community.
With a rich history spanning decades, SES has facilitated ground-breaking research in fields such as biology, anthropology, geology, and environmental science, and has been pivotal in the testing of innovative products. The Society’s members have ventured into uncharted territories, conducting field studies that have contributed significantly to our knowledge of the natural world.
SES has achieved many ‘firsts’ in the world of pioneering expeditions and the testing of specialist equipment.
Find out more about Raleigh and the SES Raleigh Explorer Award.
One of the greatest legacies of the Society is in developing leadership skills in young adventurers, which we believe to be crucial in today’s uncertain political and economic climate, where these skills are much in demand.
In collaboration with Raleigh International and Operation Raleigh Alumni, we launched the SES Raleigh Explorer Award [link to SES Raleigh Explorer Award], an initiative that provides opportunities for young individuals from less advantaged backgrounds in the UK to embark on transformative volunteering opportunities abroad. With the Society's historical ties to Raleigh International through Operation Raleigh, SES joins forces to break barriers, foster diversity, and continue the journey with the Raleigh community.
With a rich history spanning decades, SES has facilitated ground-breaking research in fields such as biology, anthropology, geology, and environmental science, and has been pivotal in the testing of innovative products. The Society’s members have ventured into uncharted territories, conducting field studies that have contributed significantly to our knowledge of the natural world.
SES has achieved many ‘firsts’ in the world of pioneering expeditions and the testing of specialist equipment.
Find out more about Raleigh and the SES Raleigh Explorer Award.
