The Young Explorers’ Trust is delighted to announce that Graham Derrick has been awarded a Stephenson Lifetime Achievement Award for his long and dedicated service to youth exploration.
Graham is a founder member, and former Council Member, Vice- Chairman, Chairman and Trustee of YET who has given remarkable service over the whole lifetime of the Trust, most recently as its immediate past Chairman. He has put in enormous and effective effort to prevent its demise and help re-establish its national profile amongst other key organisations in the sector.
He is an Outdoor Education specialist (Mountains and Arctic areas) with extensive expedition and leadership experience gained through a lifetime of direct involvement in the outdoors throughout the British Isles, Europe, Asia, north and east Africa, and Greenland. He has worked without deflection for the benefit of young people not only practically in the field or organizationally at executive level, but also through extensive committee work on nationally influential bodies. He has been concerned to develop opportunities and engender safe practice for all young people and advance public appreciation and acceptance of the significance of our sector.
He has been a teacher of Geography and Head Teacher of an Outdoor & Environmental Study Centre. He has worked extensively with The Mountaineering Association, Brathay Exploration Group, British Schools Exploring Society, Operation Raleigh, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and World Challenge Expeditions. He has been involved with LEAs, AALA, DES, the Connexions Service, BSi, and other corporate organisations examining issues, publications and policy on health and safety for expeditions and outdoor adventure with young people. His committee work has included membership of the Adventure Activities Industry Advisory Committee (AAIAC) the National Association of Outdoor Education, the English Outdoor Council, the Council for Environmental Education, the Council of the National Association of Field Study Officers, the Outdoor Employers Group (Skills Active), the Outdoor Pursuits Division of Sport & Recreation Alliance, the Executive Board of Brathay Exploration Group, Executive Director & Secretary of British Schools Exploring Society, and Vice Chairman of the Expedition Advisory Centre.