After you apply, you'll train to be selected for the summer expedition. The training is designed to provide you with skills in teamwork and outdoor survival, as well as develop your confidence. Additionally, you'll receive one on one coaching.

After training comes the 10 week overseas expedition, but to earn a space, we'll be looking at your performance during the training phase. Did you show up for and participate fully in the training sessions? Were you committed to the programme? Have you been working on your goals outside of Raleigh? If you give it your all, you will get a space on the expedition.

You will have the choice of going to Malaysia, India, or Costa Rica/Nicaragua. During this expedition, you'll join with other young people from around the world to work on meaningful environmental and community projects. You'll be challenged physically and emotionally, and will learn that you are capable of more than you ever thought possible. You will learn how strong you really are.

After expedition, you will get further support from Raleigh to achieve your career and educational goals. And you'll become part of our Alumni family, which has social and community activities throughout the year.

See the detailed programme overview for more info.
 

Leadership
During training camps and on expedition every young person will have the opportunity to be day leader, and thus responsible for the delegation of tasks and group decisions for the day. Your project managers and team will then give you feedback on your leadership skills at the end of the day, making you aware of your strengths and weaknesses and giving you the opportunity to improve your leadership skills throughout the expedition.

Teamwork and Communication
You'll be working in a diverse group, with people who have different motivations, work ethics, attitudes, cultures and life experiences. You will need to listen to each other, understand each others' strengths and weaknesses, allocate roles, overcome conflict and motivate one another to achieve the project goals. Your communication skills will be tested and developed.

Cultural awareness
Raleigh works with some of the poorest communities in Borneo, Costa Rica & Nicaragua and India. You'll be either living in homestays or in community centres within the villages so will be able to integrate into the life of the community, sharing customs, activities and stories. In your project groups you'll also be mixing with young people from around the world which will give you further opportunities for developing your global awareness.

Mental Resilience
There will be times during Raleigh when your physical and mental strength will be tested to the limit. Facing these challenges will help you for years to come in your personal and work life, as you will look back to an extremely tough day and remember what you're capable of.

Problem solving and adaptability
Equipment or project materials may not turn up in time, bad weather may mean you cannot work for days or you may have some issues to sort out to improve the group dynamics. You will be working on real projects in an intense environment so you'll learn a lot about how you solve such problems, how you cope under pressure and how to adapt to different situations and people.

Confidence and self-awareness
Making new friends, participating in new activities and achieving your goals will greatly improve your confidence. Expedition is an intense environment where you'll learn so much about yourself as a person. Without the many distractions of day to day life, you will have the time and space to reflect on who you are and who you want to be. You'll learn what your boundaries are, how you cope under pressure, how to solve problems, how to live without home comforts, how to adapt to different cultures and where your strengths and weaknesses lie.

Raleigh Bermuda doesn't have loads of criteria for applying.

• The Raleigh Bermuda Programme is open only to Bermudians, aged 17 - 25
• You must be able to commit to the ENTIRE programme.
• You must be able to identify an area of your life that you would like to develop/improve and be committed to making positive changes.

That's it! And the people that generally apply come from all sorts of backgrounds. Some are students about to complete their final year of highschool or who have just graduated. Others are studying at Bermuda College. Some are not working or in school. Some are young offenders. Some are homeless. Some have lots of family support. Some have none.

Those that are successful have one thing in common - they want to be and do more and they think Raleigh can help them. Some may want a better relationship with family. Others are looking to be more confident. Some feel that Raleigh is a way to prove to others and themselves that they deserve a second chance.

We listen about where you're coming from, but we are more concerned about where you want to go. As long as you are open to exploring your behaviour and beliefs and committing to a plan we develop together, you can get a great deal out of Raleigh.

The cost of the programme is about $11,500 per person, but thanks to the generosity of sponsors, you are required to fundraise ONLY $500. Raleigh covers the cost of your flights, expedition fees, and most of your equipment.

We work very hard to ensure this remarkable, life-changing opportunity is available for Bermuda's young people at little cost so we are looking for individuals that are really ready to make the most of our programme.

We have 2 programmes.

• SUMMER:  January - December (with expedition from July - September)
• WINTER:  September - August (with expedition from February - April)

If you are in a local school, the January - December programme may be better suited for you, as the residential training camps and expedition take place during school breaks. If you aren't working or in school, then the September - August would work for you.

We accept applications between June and December. If you're ready to apply now, click here to download an application or submit your application online. Please indicate which programme you are interested in.

Or fill out this form to provide us with your contact details, and we'll get in touch with you to provide you with more information.

Though the expedition is the major part of Raleigh Bermuda's programme, it is still only one part of our overall personal development programme. And thus, if you aren't able to commit to the ENTIRE programme, you are not eligible to apply.