In 1984 Prince Charles launched Operation Raleigh, which offered young people the opportunity to travel and work all over the world and undergo extremes of climate and harsh terrain. Since then 4000 venturers have taken up the challenge, and this book captures the spirit of their adventures. They encounter electric eels and grizzly bears, join in some secret rites with the Sioux Indians, swim with dolphins and learn to endure hardship with humour. Including many action photographs, the authors describe the sense of achievement felt by the young explorers as they sail across oceans in square riggers, hack their way through the jungles of Panama, Indonesia and Guyana, and ski the ice fields of Alaska.