Inspirational book about the life of John Hunt now available!

This is an unusual book about a remarkable person. The book is unusual because it is a brilliantly-edited set of contributions from nearly one hundred people. The remarkable person is John Hunt: Lord Hunt of Llanfair Waterdine, KG CBE DSO, and extracts from his writings and speeches are interwoven in the text. We live in a time of very lightweight heroes whose self-serving and feeble antics fill the press and, astonishingly, the bookshelves. Here though is a real hero of and for our own times.

His influence still permeates an extraordinary range of organisations such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Plas y Brenin, Mount Everest Foundation and the John Hunt Exploration Group and his astonishing achievements both in the Army and in the world of youth exploration are breathtaking. This book is packed with anecdotes which reflect the depth of his character, and offers a really inspirational insight into "the greatest Englishman of his time".

 The book is titled "Inspiring Achievement - The Life and Work of John Hunt" and is available through YET. The cost is £7.25 (including post and packaging) plus an optional donation of at least £5 which will go into the John Hunt Expedition Award for disadvanted young people. Orders should be sent with a cheque payable to The Young Explorers Trust to A E Land, 46 Stockerston Road, Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9UD.

Views needed for HASLOC Consultation.

Your views are needed in response to the consultation process for HASLOC (Health and Safety of Learners Outside the Classroom). The document was made available for consultation in mid-November and has been circulated to all Council members and Forum members of YET. We urge all members of YET to:

- Read the consultation document and decide whether to make their own comment, or contribute to the collective comment on behalf of YET

- Circulate the document to their member organisations for comment. 

If it is decided that YET should comment, we will co-ordinate the response. Any comments should be emailed to Graham Derrick by the end of December. The closing date for response is 8th February 2010.

Discount for Hill Dickenson Legal Seminar for YET Members!

Hill Dickinson is running a 2-day seminar on 1-2 March 2010 for outdoor activity and adventure travel operators who offer training and ventures in the UK and overseas. This comprehensive seminar covers the legal fundamentals your company needs to be familiar with and provides you with a unique opportunity to put your questions to a range of legal experts in a relaxed and informal environment. Topics to be covered will include:

- Corporate structure and implications

- Package Travel Regulations

- UK accidents, negligence and occupiers' liability

- Types of insurance cover, duty to insurers and pitfalls

- Corporate manslaughter - what to do when HSE comes calling

Hill Dickinson have kindly offered all YET members a discount for the course. The normal price is £350, but YET members can attend for just £250! Several members of YET attended the course in 2009 and found it extremely informative, fairly eye-opening and well worth the investment. Contact matthew.davies@hilldickenson.com for more information. 

Start a new adventure with BBC Thrillseeker!

In 2008 and 2009, Campaign for Adventure ran Outdoor Adventure Weeks in May, with 6000+ events all over the UK, raising the profile of "Our Adventurous Britain". On 31st January 2010, BBC Countryfile launch the whole Thrillseeker programme with the BBC Learning searchable website (www.bbc.co.uk/thrillseeker) with regular prime-time promotions, local radio, community activities etc. All designed to link people to adventure activities across the UK. They are creating events which will help everyone access adventure, either for free, or at cost. It will run towards Outdoor Adventure Week which runs from April 2nd to April 11th 2010.

If you would like to know more, please contact Ian Lewis (Co-ordinator, Campaign for Adventure) on ian@campaignforadventure.org or on 0845 345 7423. 

YET launches Personal Development Survey!

YET is approaching expedition members 5 years or more after their expedition to canvass their opinion on the true value of their experience as related to the time of the expedition and to later life.

The value of expeditions in the personal development of their young members is a firm belief of expedition leaders and organisers. The survey will list the characteristics of the personal development process as identified by a working party of the Young Explorers’ Trust. It also indicates how each of these may be achieved on the expedition. The Good Practice Guide on Personal development on which the survey is based can be seen on the YET website. However this has been compiled by adult expeditioners and YET seeks the views of young members about how they rate their expedition experience looking back on it from some years after. If an expedition is to have a lasting benefit then the skills and experiences then achieved should be transferable to later life in study and in the work place and in subsequent life skills.

The survey can be found on Survey Monkey and through using the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=RlE3q1eTNFZ_2fD1cK_2f3zuXA_3d_3d