After working for 15 years in the outdoor industry freelancing for different expedition and outdoor companies, Keith set up The School Expedition Company to provide the high level of customer service that he felt was missing from a large number of outdoor providers.
Some years later in 2015, Keith then set up
The Bucket List Company to fill a gap in the adventure travel sector to provide inclusive trips to incredible places, with amazing people.
Every element of these companies reflect Keith’s passion for the outdoors and his desire to provide the highest possible level of customer service.
An overseas school expedition can impact a student’s life on so many levels – both practically and emotionally.
Personal Development – self confidence, self esteem, determination, integrity
Life Skills – team work, leadership, resourcefulness and initiative
Culture – new environments, different cultures, worthwhile projects
Challenges & Adventure – finances, money management and budgeting through the fundraising period
Our team of office staff, expedition leaders and in-country teams live and breathe adventure travel. They feel they have the best job in the world being able to inspire wanderlust and provide students with an amazing once in a lifetime trip. Over the years, we have been able to perfect our itineraries to ensure we are offering you the trip of a lifetime.
We understand that YOUR perfect adventure isn’t the same as the next school’s. That’s why all of our
itineraries are completely bespoke.
We’ll take the time to understand what will really make this trip one to
remember and create an itinerary that matches your desired length, destination, activities and budget.
We handle EVERYTHING. From the initial presentation to parents and students, all paperwork, payments, regular virtual catch up meetings with the expedition team in the run up to the trip. Planning a school expedition can take up a lot of time so we strive to make it as streamlined and stress free for all participants as possible. Leaving you to simply sit back, relax, and get excited about the adventure.
Our expeditions utilise the best in-country teams, equipment and extra excursions. We have worked with our in-country teams now for a number of years, and have created strong professional bonds with the best local guides.
We understand that as a teacher or parent, the biggest question of all about agreeing to send your child away is- Will they be safe? Safety is our PRIMARY concern with everything we do. We regularly visit our destinations to plan, assess and reassess our groups’ expeditions and our leaders carry out daily risk assessments whilst on the expedition.
Once we receive your enquiry we’ll aim to jump on an initial call with you to understand your goals, vision and expectations, as well as your budget.
That call is our chance to understand your aims and wishes for the school expedition and what is most important to make it the perfect trip.
After this call (or email if preferred) we’ll start working on dates, destinations and activities.
Usually a week or so after the initial enquiry we’ll have an example itinerary/itineraries for you based on the details we discussed on the call.
This initial itinerary is normally just a starting point, some inspiration. We very much invite you to let us know the bits you’d like to keep in there, the bits you want to take out or anything that you’d like adding in.
We’ll then tweak and amend the itinerary until we’ve created your perfect trip.
We say “week 6” as an estimation for this as it will normally take a few weeks to get your bespoke
itinerary created.
Once you’re happy with the itinerary and you have provisional dates in mind
(although not absolutely necessary at this stage) we can then arrange a date to come into school
to present the expedition to students, parents and other teachers.
Following the presentation, booking forms will be sent by us to the Link Teacher at the school
(“Link Teacher” is our main contact at the school for making this adventure possible).
The Link Teacher will then forward these out as required. Typically we suggest a 2 week deadline for these forms to be returned by anyone interested in being part of the expedition.
On deadline day, the Link Teacher will collate all booking forms and we’ll see if we have enough interest for the trip to happen.
Providing enough booking forms have been returned then the trip can go ahead.
This number will depend on the minimum number for the expedition and also the minimum number wished for by the school.
Assuming minimum numbers have been reached, links for the deposit payments will be sent out from us with schedules for all future payments due.
At regular intervals in the run up to the trip we will plan in some catch up meetings with all participants (teachers, students and parents).
Normally held virtually, these meetings will be to
talk through various details such as kit lists, administrative forms required (medical forms,
country entry requirements etc), recapping the itinerary and of course answering any questions.
IT’S EXPEDITION TIME! It’s finally here. Teachers and students will make their way to the departure airport via the school’s chosen method of transportation.
Your guide from The School Expedition Company will meet you at the airport ready for our adventure.
Once we arrive at our destination we will be greeted by our in-country guides, excited for the days ahead.
It’s not all over once we’ve returned from the trip though.
Once back in the UK we will create a presentation full of the fantastic memories that the expedition team have experienced on this life changing adventure.
The school can then share this in their preferred way with other students, parents and teachers, helping inspire others into the world of adventure travel.
We help educational institutions to effortlessly plan life enhancing, memorable expeditions all around the world.
Effortless planning, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.
Our team will ensure a seamless experience from start to finish.