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Founded in 1904 by a group of the world's leading explorers, The Explorers Club is a multi-disciplinary not-for-profit professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research, scientific exploration and the ideal that it is vital to preserve the instinct to explore. The mission of The Explorers Club is the encouragement of scientific exploration of land, sea, air, and space. Our members hail from all corners of the globe and are among the most accomplished in all facets of exploration and the field sciences.

Our Members

The Club has approximately 3,000 members representing every continent and in more than 60 countries, comprising about 30 chapters around the globe. The Club’s members include leaders in polar exploration, diving, aerospace exploration, archaeology, zoology, physics, oceanography, astronomy, ecology, geology, paleontology, conservation mountaineering, and speleology. The Club counts among its members the giants of twentieth century exploration; its present and future members are poised to leave humankind a similar legacy of discovery and achievement in the twenty-first century.

Special Invitation to Members of the National Eagle Scout Association

Recognizing that many National Eagle Scout Association members have performed field exploration and have ideals and interests similar to those of our own members, we are inviting NESA members to consider applying for membership in The Explorers Club. Please follow the special instructions for NESA applicants and use the application form entitled “Explorers Club Membership Application for National Eagle Scout Association”.

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Who is Considered for Membership?

The Explorers Club differentiates exploration for field science from exploratory travel for tourism. While both activities are valuable, our members and those qualified for membership are persons who carry out or assist in field science expeditions to study unknown or little known destinations or phenomena in order to gain knowledge for humankind. You need not have climbed Everest, dived to the deepest point in the ocean, or discovered a new dinosaur. But we are looking for individuals who have gotten their hands dirty and their feet wet working in the field as participants in one or more documented scientific expeditions.

Tourism, by comparison, is enjoyed primarily for pleasure or self education. Therefore, extensive travel photography, participation in educational tours, or similar pursuits in remote parts of the world do not alone qualify one to become a member.

However, we do have a category, Associate of The Explorers Club, for people who, though not qualified for membership, would like to associate with the club and support its goals. We hope that, as they meet members and experience the culture of exploration, these Associates might take the initiative to participate in expeditions, so that they may be moved into the ranks of full membership.

What are the Membership Categories?

Fellows have made documented contributions to exploration or scientific knowledge. Such accomplishments are often evidenced by scientific publication, but may also be documented in books, popular media, or broadcast media.

Members have evidenced a sustained interest in some aspect of exploration and have contributed in broad terms to the cause of exploration and the furthering of scientific knowledge (for example by participating in expeditions).

Associates are individuals who wish to associate with The Explorers Club and support its mission. These individuals are crucial to the Club’s outreach as they create an extended network of awareness and support.

Corporate Giving supports our mission both generally and with specific instances of sponsorship of initiatives, events, or lecture series. Corporate members are particularly valued for the service and educational programs that their sponsorship helps provide.

Student Members are full-time students, enrolled in accredited institutions, who are interested in pursuing exploration or field science as a future career or avocation.

Term Membership is open to full-time graduate students and teaching instructors that meet the same standards/qualifications that exist for regular Members. The maximum duration of Term Member status is five years (irrespective of age). Initiation fee is waived for Term Members applying for regular Member/Fellow status prior to expiration of the five year term. Term member dues are $75.00 annually. There is no initiation fee.

Life Membership (for Members and Fellows) A member may qualify for Life Membership in his or her own category by a payment to the Club of an amount equal to twenty times the current annual dues in the respective class, with election being subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. If elected, the individual shall thereafter be exempt from payment of dues or assessments. A Life Member shall retain all the rights and privileges of membership.

How much are the dues?

Dues are dependent upon the category of membership to which you are elected and your geographic location. Members who live in New York pay a higher rate than our members in Katmandu, because of their greater access to club facilities and activities. More information is available here.

Completing the Application Form

You now have two options for completing the form. Use whichever option suits you best.

Download and print out the blank form, complete, and send by postal mail to the Membership office.

Download the application: PDF Explorers Club Member Application

Download the Application: Microsoft Word Explorers_Club_Member_Application_041912.docx

To join as a corporate member, please review our Corporate Giving page and contact the president or the executive director.

For more information, explore the website, or contact:

Membership
The Explorers Club
46 East 70th Street
New York, NY 10021

Tel: 212-628-8383
Fax: 212-628-2048
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)