Our expeditions

Raleigh runs adventure expeditions in Borneo, Costa Rica & Nicaragua, India and Tanzania for individuals and groups of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds. These involve volunteering on community projects and environmental projects as well as undertaking tough adventure challenges. All Raleigh volunteer expeditions are designed to be challenging, life-changing experiences. The more you put in, the more you get out of it!

Local and overseas expeditions

• For 17-24 year olds volunteering on their gap year as an alternative to travelling alone or backpacking, or referred through a host country partnership
• For 25+ year olds volunteering whilst on a career break or enjoying retirement
• Choose from our unique 10 week expeditions throughout the year
• Volunteers work together on much needed community projects and environmental projects alongside young people from around the world 

We believe the success of Raleigh expeditions is due to three key factors: 

1. Raleigh expeditions provide transformational journeys for people who join from all walks of life
2.  Raleigh community and environmental projects are based on long-term partnerships with host countries to make sure the work done by our volunteers really makes a difference 
3. Raleigh expeditions are carried out to the highest safety standards with full-time staff based in our countries

Read the expedition blogs at the side panel or browse word of mouth to check out what volunteering on a Raleigh expedition is really like!

Aged 17-24

Think Raleigh is only for people taking a gap year? Think again.
Regardless of your background, education path, nationality or race, we believe that a Raleigh expedition should be open to anyone who's up for an adventure, making a difference by volunteering and wanting to learn about themselves and different cultures.

We call you all venturers and whilst you'll all be volunteering together on expedition the ways in which you join an expedition are slightly different.

Feel like doing something different?
Raleigh runs volunteer expeditions in Costa Rica & Nicaragua, Tanzania, India and Malaysia which means that you can join a Raleigh expedition in your country of residence. You'll work on volunteer projects with people from all different ages, backgrounds and nationalities to give you the opportunity to get involved, meet new people and make a difference!

10 week expeditions
Join other venturers from all walks of life on Raleigh unique 10 week expedition. You'll spend 3 weeks on a community project, living and working with local communities and another 3 weeks protecting the country's natural habitats and wildlife. The final 3 weeks is a tough mental and physical adventure battling nature's elements.

The projects
Whether providing villages in Borneo with their first drop of running water or conserving the elephant population in India, Raleigh expedition projects are planned with local partners so you can get really involved with rural communities and habitats and spend your year out volunteering to make a much needed difference.

Read the expedition blogs at the side panel or browse word of mouth to check out what a gap year on a Raleigh expedition is really like!


Related links:

• Where can I go? 
• When can I go?
• How much will it cost?
• How do I raise the money?
• How do I find out more?

How much will it cost?

As Raleigh is a charity we talk about fundraising rather than costs. This doesn't mean you have to fundraise for all your expedition through donations. You can pay any way you like. Most venturers will raise the funds through a mixture of job earnings from gap year work or part-time jobs, donations from friends and family and traditional fundraising activities such as organising parties or sponsored events. We do encourage fundraising, not only because it raises awareness of our charitable work but we believe it gets you in the spirit of Raleigh. In many ways this is the beginning of your Raleigh adventure, so start as you mean to go on.

Here's a guide of fundraising targets:
Local 10 week expedition	RM3,000
Overseas 10 week expedition	£2,995

How do I raise the money?
Check out our fundraising page for tips and advice on how to reach your fundraising target.


What do the costs cover?

• Travel and Medical insurance (excluding personal belongings cover)
• Training and preparation
• Support before you go and when you're there
• Food and accommodation
• Specialist equipment
• In-country transport

What do the costs not cover?


Flights
You will need to arrange your own flights as you might be planning gap year travel around your expedition, however we do recommend flights for your expedition.

Visas 
Depending on your chosen country you may need to apply for a visa before you go. 

Vaccinations
Your expedition pack has a list of compulsory vaccinations for your chosen country. 

Kit list
A full list of the necessary kit is included in the expedition pack. Costs can vary hugely from RM500 to RM1,000 and we encourage venturers to reuse as much as possible. 

Related links:

• Where can I go? 
• When can I go?
• How much will it cost?
• How do I raise the money?
• How do I find out more?

How do I raise the money?

Want to start fundraising but don't know where to start? Don't worry, we're here to help!

Fundraising can be hard work, but here at Raleigh we like a challenge, and we'll do everything we can to help you make the most of your fundraising experience. Not only is this a great way of covering the cost of your expedition and raising awareness of Raleigh, but it will also get you in the spirit of your upcoming adventure.

Whether it's just a quick chat on the phone to give you some tips, or more in depth assistance, our support team are always happy to discuss your fundraising activities with you.

What's more, once you've signed up to an expedition we'll send you an expedition pack. This is packed full of information and ideas about fundraising. We'll also include some key messages to help you communicate the benefits of doing a Raleigh expedition on your gap year.

Fundraising for your gap year or mini gap gives you a great opportunity to be creative, develop some networking skills and just have fun. Why not check out these ideas and start your fundraising today!

Follow our Raleigh volunteers' fundraising efforts here. 

Related links:

• Where can I go? 
• When can I go?
• How much will it cost?
• How do I raise the money?
• How do I find out more?

How do I find out more?

Want to know more about Raleigh expeditions? Here are some of the ways you can find out more:

I would like to...	Read our frequently asked questions for more information about our expeditions
	Talk to our team - we are only an email away and we'd love to help
	Come to one of our monthly meets -meet staff and volunteers who can share their experiences and answer any questions you may have

Raleigh is an environmentally friendly organisation and prefers to email all information rather than send by post. We are more than happy to answer your questions and offer support and advice, whether you're thinking about joining Raleigh or you've already signed up. 

Related links:

• Where can I go? 
• When can I go?
• How much will it cost?
• How do I raise the money?
• How do I find out more?

About Raleigh

Getting out there
Back in 1978 when Colonel John Blashford-Snell and HRH Prince Charles started Operation Drake, they had a vision. They wanted to give young people a chance to explore the world and by doing so discover their potential as leaders and members of a team working together to make a difference. Raleigh still hold true these values today with its two commitments.

Raleigh is committed to inspiring people from all walks of life, ages and nationalities, involving them more deeply with people, places, communities and challenges and empowering them to be all they can be. Its second commitment is working in partnership with local communities to make a much needed difference to their lives.

Raleigh is for life
Raleigh is not just about an expedition; it's about being part of a community of like-minded people. Ordinary people who want to do something extraordinary with their lives, make a difference in the world and new friends along the way. Raleigh's vision is to inspire a generation to be all that they can be; to awaken a sense of life-purpose and belonging, and unite them as part of a global community who can work together to rise to the challenges of the world we live in.

A Raleigh expedition is not just for life. It is a way of life.


Making a difference 
As a charity, Raleigh raises funds to make its expeditions the best possible experience for the volunteers and the local communities. In this role, Raleigh acts as a catalyst for change, bringing local communities together, sometimes for the first time as one team and giving them the resources and motivation to achieve sustainable development. To do this Raleigh works in partnership with local communities, non-governmental organisations and governments in the host countries, following the Millennium Development Goals where it can.

The challenges
From the very first expedition Raleigh was founded on 4 challenges:

1. Being Selected
2. Raising Funds
3. Going for Expedition
4. Contributing Locally


It is these challenges that make Raleigh special. Our values of discovery, courage, drive and integrity have come from the heart and we believe in them and live them in all we do.

Aged 25 and over

Looking for a different daily grind? 
Voluntary work is no longer just for gap year students wanting time out. Perhaps you're taking a career break, considering new career opportunities, have retired or the kids have flown the nest. Whatever the reason more of us want to volunteer, challenge ourselves in a new way and give something back. But be warned Raleigh volunteer expeditions are no holiday. We like to think of a career break as a very different daily grind!

Volunteer managers
On every expedition Raleigh needs between 25 to 40 volunteer managers, aged from 25 to 75, with a variety of skills to lead expeditions or support projects from field bases.

Working alongside the Country Director and up to 120 young people, their role is to make sure Raleigh volunteer projects are safe, successful and to a high standard.

Volunteer managers make a huge difference to the lives of young people, the local communities and undergo a unique, rewarding journey of their own. 

• If you're under 25 and taking a career break or sabbatical you can still join an expedition as a venturer.

The expeditions
Raleigh main expeditions are 10 weeks in Borneo, Costa Rica & Nicaragua, India or Tanzania.

Length of expedition	In-country training	Total expedition length
10 weeks	2-3 weeks	13 weeks

10 week expeditions
Venturers experience three phases - a 3 week community project, 3 week environmental project, plus a 3 week adventure phase. Volunteer managers will usually work on one project for the duration of the 10 weeks, but this may change so flexibility is a must!

The projects
All of Raleigh volunteer projects are planned with local partners so our volunteers are really involved with rural communities and habitats and you can spend your career break making a much needed difference.

Read the expedition blogs at the side panel or browse word of mouth to check out what life on a Raleigh expedition is really like!

Related links:

• Where can I go?
• When can I go?
• What are the roles?
• How much will it cost?
• How do I raise the money?
• How can I find out more?

How much will it cost?

As Raleigh is a charity we talk about fundraising rather than costs. This doesn't mean you have to fundraise for your expedition. You can pay any way you like. Some of our venturers save up, or receive donations from friends and family, others write to local businesses, or get involved with fundraising activities such as organising parties or sponsored events. We do encourage fundraising, not only because it raises awareness of Raleigh charitable work but we believe it gets you in the spirit of Raleigh. In many ways this is the beginning of your Raleigh adventure, so start as you mean to go on.

Many of our venturers return as volunteer managers and equally many volunteer managers are looking to take up the challenge again. 

Here's a guide of fundraising targets:
Local 10 week expedition	RM1,500
Overseas 10 week expedition	£1,950

Check out our fundraising page for advice on how to reach your fundraising target.

What it covers

• Travel and medical insurance (excluding personal belongings cover)
• Training and preparation
• Support before you go and when you're there
• Food and accommodation
• Specialist equipment
• In-country transport

What it doesn't cover

Flights 
You will need to arrange your own flights.

Visas 
Depending on your chosen country you may need to apply for a visa before you go.

Vaccinations
Your expedition pack has a list of compulsory vaccinations for your chosen country. 

Kit list
A full list of the necessary kit is included in the expedition pack. Costs can vary hugely from RM500 to RM1,000 and we encourage you to reuse as much as possible.

Related links:

• Where can I go?
• When can I go?
• What are the roles?
• How much will it cost?
• How do I raise the money?
• How can I find out more?

About Raleigh KL

Raleigh International Kuala Lumpur (Raleigh KL) facilitates the Four Challenges and supports the process of Malaysian venturers and staff participating in local and overseas expeditions organised by Raleigh International. In fulfilling the fourth challenge, Raleigh KL also carry out various adventure, community and environmental projects locally.

Based in the Klang Valley, Raleigh KL is a non-profit organisation registered as Pertubuhan Raleigh International Kuala Lumpur with the Malaysian Registrar of Societies (Reg. 1212).

Our Story

Getting out there since 1978

1978 - Operation Drake
Raleigh has its origins in Operation Drake, which was initiated by HRH Prince Charles and Colonel John Blashford-Snell. Operation Drake was launched to run youth projects from ships circumnavigating the globe. The youths were accompanied by some of the world’s leading scientists, explorers and geographers, with the aim to develop self-confidence and leadership in young people through participation in adventure, scientific exploration and community service. The project, which lasted for 2 years, saw 414 people participate in the round-the-world voyage of the sailing ship ‘Eye of the Wind’, following Sir Francis Drake’s epic route and working on land-based projects in 16 different countries.

1984 - Operation Raleigh
The success of Operation Drake led to the more ambitious Operation Raleigh. Launched with the help of Hull City Council in 1984, the project initially ran for four years, involving two ships, 4,000 volunteers and almost 1,600 staff. The two ships were the ‘Sir Walter Raleigh’ and ‘Zebu’. 

The great ship, Sir Walter Raleigh

HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales 

chatting with Venturers of Operation Raleigh

1992 - Raleigh International 
In 1992, Operation Raleigh changed its name to Raleigh International to reflect the increasing number of volunteers from around the world. The previous successes also led to the creation of permanent land-based expeditions, building Raleigh's position as a unique youth development organisation by widening the diversity of the participants and raising issues of global awareness.

Raleigh today
Today, over 30,000 people have gone on a Raleigh Expedition in over 30 countries, making it a global community of people who want to be all they can be, get out there and make a difference.

Find out more about Raleigh's achievements over the last 25 years by downloading its 25th anniversary brochure

Meet the Team

President: Chong Poh-E

Secretary 1: Ng Zhi Min

Secretary 2: Loo Shen Quang

Treasurer: Sandra Sim

Expedition Officer: Chua Chen Yang

PR Officer: Liow En De

Logistics Officer: Ricky Cheah

Projects Officer: Chin Jia Yee

Introduction Weekend Officer: Chin Liang Keat

Special Skills Officer: Dennis Gan

Please click here for the past Raleigh KL Committees.

Raleigh KL Committee 2010 / 2011

President Tam Kar Lye

Secretary 1 Christal Loh Pei-Shan

Secretary 2 / Membership Officer Farm Woon Chin

Treasurer Choo Geng Qian

Expedition Officer Koong Hui Yein

PR Officer Lum Sow Chan

Logistics Officer Ho Chung Shin

Projects Officer Richard Teh Swee-Aun

Special Skills Officer Vacant

Introduction Weekend Officer Vacant

Fundraising Officer Vacant

Raleigh KL Committee 2009 / 2010

President Vincent Tan

Secretary 1 Farm Woon Chin

Secretary 2 Tam Kar Lye

Treasurer Leong Chen Kang

Expedition Officer Yang Su Lan

Introduction Weekend Officer Dennis Gan Chye Sheng

PR Officer 1 Chong Poh-E

PR Officer 2 Ng Hui Mei

Logistics Officer Woo Shi Wei

Fundraising Officer Christal Loh Pei-Shan

Skills Officer Yap Lu Yi

Projects Officer Koong Hui Yein

Raleigh KL Committee 2008 / 2009

President Loh Shih Chung

Secretary 1 Tan Bee Li

Secretary 2 Amy Liew

Treasurer Choo Mae-Xi

Expedition Officer Tam Kar Lye

Introduction Weekend Officer Vincent Tan

PR Officer 1 Yap Lu Yi

PR Officer 2 Christal Loh

Logistics Officer Yang Su Lan

Fundraising Officer Tan Ming Kit

Skills Officer Tham Pei Ting

Projects Officer Leong Chen Kang

International Liaison Officer Nisha Firdaus

For Raleigh KL Committee 2008 / 2009 reports, please click here.

Raleigh KL Committee 2007 / 2008

President Loh Shih Chung

Secretary 1 Chow Xin Tong

Secretary 2 Tan Bee Li

Treasurer William Chan

Expedition Officer Tam Pei Ting

Introduction Weekend Officer Justin Jayaraj David

PR Officer 1 Christal Loh

PR Officer 2 Tam Kar Lye

Logistics Officer Leong Chen Kang

Fundraising Officer Tang Chii Chie

Skills Officer Vignes Balasingam

Projects Officer Michelle Yap

Brief History of Raleigh International

Raleigh International’s colourful history began with ‘Operation Drake’ which was launched in 1978 by HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales and Colonel John Blashford-Snell. Operation Drake’s purpose was to run youth projects from ships navigating the globe. The aim was to develop self-confidence and leadership in young people through participation in adventure, scientific exploration and community service. These youths were accompanied by some of the world’s leading scientists, explorers and geographers. The project, which lasted for 2 years, saw 414 people participate in the round the world voyage of the ‘Eye of the Wind’, following Sir Francis Drake’s epic route and worked on land-based projects in 16 different countries.

The success of Operation Drake led to the more ambitious Operation Raleigh. Initially, this was a four-year project running from 1984-1988, involving 4, 000 volunteers and almost 1, 600 staff. The two ships were the ‘Sir Walter Raleigh’ and ‘Zebu’. With the help of Hull City Council, Operation Raleigh was launched from Hull in 1984.

The great ship, Sir Walter Raleigh

HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales chatting with Venturers of Operation Raleigh

In 1992, Operation Raleigh changed its name to Raleigh International to reflect the increasing number of volunteers from around the world. The organisation’s focus was to build an improve on its position as a unique youth development organisation by widening the diversity of the participants by raising issues of global awareness.

Article retrieved from www.raleigh.org.uk

Expedition Countries

Raleigh International have run expeditions in over 30 countries including Namibia, Mongolia, Oman, Zimbabwe, Belize, Chile, Ghana, Uganda, Siberia and Brunei. Raleigh is currently running expeditions in Costa Rica & Nicaragua, India and Malaysia.

Who Goes on a Raleigh Expedition?

If you are aged between 17-25 years, you can qualify for a Raleigh international Expedition (as a youth volunteer called a Venturer) by attending an Introduction Weekend organised by Raleigh International Kuala Lumpur. If you are based in Sabah you may attend an Introduction Assessment Weekend by Operation Raleigh Sabah. You must be able to swim 200 meters and speak a decent amount of English. If you are above 25 years of age and possess necessary skills in relation to an expedition you can qualify yourself through a Staff Selection Weekend.

For the latest information on expedition, visit the website of Raleigh UK.

How do I raise the money?

Want to start fundraising but don't know where to start? Don't worry, we're here to help!

Fundraising can be hard work, but here at Raleigh we like a challenge, and we'll do everything we can to help you make the most of your fundraising experience. We understand you may already have saved the money for your expedition by working, however we believe that fundraising is a great way of getting into the Raleigh spirit.

Whether it's just a quick chat on the phone to give you some tips, or more in depth assistance, our support team are always happy to discuss your fundraising activities with you.

What's more, once you've signed up to an expedition we'll send you an expedition pack. This is packed full of information and ideas about fundraising.

In the meantime, why not check out these ideas and start your fundraising today!

Follow our Raleigh volunteers' fundraising efforts here.

Related links:

• Where can I go?
• When can I go?
• What are the roles?
• How much will it cost?
• How do I raise the money?
• How can I find out more?

Raleigh societies

Whether you've just signed up for an expedition or have now returned there's a vibrant community of Raleigh alumni all around the world where you can share your Raleigh experiences.

International societies play a vital role in recruiting volunteers to join Raleigh expeditions, supporting them before and after expedition. They also organise a number of exciting challenge events, mini-expeditions and fourth challenge opportunities.

Check out the links below to find out what's going on in other areas or to be inspired by the work of Raleigh international societies.

Raleigh UK
Raleigh Bermuda 
Raleigh China 
Raleigh Ghana 
Raleigh Hong Kong 
Raleigh Society Singapore

How do I find out more?

Want to know more about Raleigh expeditions? Here are some of the ways you can find out more:

I would like to...	Read our frequently asked questions for more information about our expeditions
	Talk to our team - we are only an email away and we'd love to help
	Come to one of our monthly meets -meet staff and volunteers who can share their experiences and answer any questions you may have

Raleigh is an environmentally friendly organisation and prefers to email all information rather than send by post. We are more than happy to answer your questions and offer support and advice, whether you're thinking about joining Raleigh or you've already signed up. 

Related links:

• Where can I go?
• When can I go?
• What are the roles?
• How much will it cost?
• How do I raise the money?
• How can I find out more?