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There has been a noticable increase in the number of young people taking part in overseas expeditions and ‘gap years\' as
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Jonathan Conville Memorial Trust Alpine Courses
June, July and August 2008
Chamonix Valley,
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YET Evaluation of Venture Plans

YET provides a national scheme in which venture plans are evaluated and those that meet the high standard set by the Young Explorers’ Trust are awarded YET Approval status.

YET Approval indicates that the venture plans adequately provide for the safety of the expedition members, risk analysis, the competence and experience of the leaders, the expedition budget, environmental concerns, and the value of the venture to participants in terms of personal development achieved through adventure and the proposed projects.

Ventures that apply for YET Evaluation are invited to an interview with one of the YET's Evaluation Panels, which meet between November and April each year.

The evaluation process is not intended just as an appraisal but also as an opportunity for the panel to offer guidance and for the expedition organisers to discuss any issues and gain valuable assistance from some of the most knowledgeable people in the industry.

"Thanks for yesterday's very useful and reassuring session. Not having been through an evaluation recently, I had forgotten how helpful they are. Please pass on my thanks to the rest of the panel too." Caroline Hansford, Malawi Expedition 2008

"Thank you for your team's input from the YET Evaulation. I found your team's approach and the overall process to be very helpful to me personally in tidying up my own thoughts in a few areas of the expedition plan." Dale Garwood, Amazon Expedition 2008

Full details of the YET's Evaluation of Venture Plans scheme can be downloaded in the "How to Apply" section below. No additional information is required to begin the application process but if there are any questions then contact should be made with the Evaluation Co-ordinator by email at evaluations@theyet.org.

BS 8848
YET has recently reviewed its evaluation procedures to reflect current good practice and to address the expanding requirements of its membership.

Standards for the safe delivery of expeditions continue to rise and a major initiative in this direction has been the production of a British Standard for visits, fieldwork, expeditions, and adventurous activities, outside the United Kingdom (BS 8848).

YET, having been involved in the development of this specification, has now adjusted its own publications and procedures to reflect this good practice. By aligning the Evaluations procedure with the British Standard, YET is now the only organisation that can currently offer organisations an independent, third party appraisal of their demonstration of BS 8848 conformity. In doing so, YET has maintained an extremely valuable service whilst offering even greater consumer confidence.

The modification of evaluation criteria to respond to these wider needs has resulted in the use of more commonly accepted terms and phrases for expeditions and the roles of those involved in them. Henceforth “expeditions” will fall within the all embracing term of “venture.”
Who can apply for YET Evaluation?
Any Venture Provider may apply for YET Evaluation of Venture Plans, which process may include conformity with BS8848. Although YET is in position to advise any Venture Provider that seeks its help, YET cannot give its Approval to every type of youth venture outside of the UK. In order to apply for YET Evaluation, the planned venture must meet the criteria as specified in the YET Evaluation of Venture Plans including:

The lower age limit of young people taking part in the venture is normally 14, with the majority of the party (excluding leaders) aged 14 - 25.

Undergraduate ventures should apply directly to the Royal Geographical Society and not to the Young Explorers' Trust, although those with no fieldwork aims, but meeting the age criteria, may apply to YET.

Ventures that have already applied to the RGS for support should not apply for YET Approval. The two bodies liaise closely with each other and will transfer expedition applications where appropriate.
Why apply for YET Evaluation?
YET Approval, especially if linked to BS 8848 conformity, is a hallmark of quality recognised by the general public as well as by the expedition industry. It brings many direct and in-direct advantages including:

eligibility for YET Grant Aid. YET Approval status is also beneficial when fundraising or applying for external financial support and is a reassuring endorsement for potential sponsors;

re-assurance for venture organisers and leaders that their venture plans indicate a safe and responsible approach;

reassures participants and their parents that the plans and leadership team are sound;

offers support to authorities responsible for permitting the venture.
What does it cost?
There is an administration fee of £25 per YET Evaluation application which includes access to all other YET services during the year of the venture. YET Members are entitled to one free YET Approval application per subscription year.
How to Apply
Download the Evaluation Application form which is in Word format. A completed application form, with any necessary attachments (preferably inserted into the application form in relevant places), should be returned by email to the Evaluations Coordinator at evaluations@theyet.org.

Please ensure that all sections are completed so as to avoid delay or rejection. It is appreciated that at the time of application complete details may not be available, since planning and recruitment may still be in process. Details may be updated, by email, at any time between the application and the interview, or brought to the interview itself. If an application is so short of detail that the evaluation process cannot commence, then the applicant will be contacted to this effect by the Coordinator.

There may be some flexibility in the above, and any problems should be directed to the Coordinator at evaluations@theyet.org.
When to Apply
Please see the Events page for the latest schedule of evaluation interviews.

Applications for Evaluation must be made at least 6 weeks before the date of the preferred evaluation interview and at least 4 months in advance of departure. Applicants may state which evaluation interview they wish to attend and in exceptional circumstances alternative arrangements may also be made. However, it is unlikely that evaluation interviews will be arranged between June and September inclusive.

The YET would prefer to receive applications as early as possible once the plans of the venture are sufficiently advanced. YET accepts that this is a matter of judgement and will return applications for further completion if it feels that the information provided is insufficient for a viable evaluation.
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Disclaimer
The articles which form this website are all written by able and experienced leaders of youth expeditions, but represent their own personal views and not necessarily those of the Council of The Young Explorers' Trust. The points made represent suggestions for consideration rather than direct advice, and the responsibility for how these suggestions are used rests entirely with the users. No liability is accepted by the authors or by The Young Explorers' Trust for any loss or damage arising from the contents of the website.