Syrian Exploration and Documentation Society

The Syrian Exploration and Documentation Society (Arabic: الجمعية السورية للاستكشاف والتوثيق) is a Syrian non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 2008 by decision No. 133 of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour, with a license covering all Syrian territories. The idea for its establishment dates back to 1988, when the Syrian Scout organization ceased activities but members of its 11th group continued informal camping trips. In 2005, leaders of Group 11 decided to form an officially licensed association, achieving registration on 7 January 2008. The society's motto is 'I am the Syrian' (أنا السوري). The organization focuses on re-exploring remote areas and highlighting them through exploration activities and visual, audio, and written documentation. It conducts field experiences deep in nature and wilderness in search of useful knowledge, documented in a scientific and practical manner. Since its founding, it has carried out hundreds of field activities and development training camps, contributing to significant achievements in exploration, documentation, and training, attracting those interested in the environment, domestic tourism, and volunteer work. The society aims to give young people the opportunity to experience nature up close and adapt to it, qualify and train volunteer cadres to create national exploration and documentation missions, enhance intellectual and cultural cohesion among different components of society, spread health and environmental awareness through seminars and specialized training activities, and advance youth thought while strengthening confidence, belonging, and pride in the homeland. Key achievements include the first discovery of a water cave that was a seal habitat in Lattakia governorate (2022), the first introduction of snow skiing in Syria, the first introduction of zip-lining in Syria's history, the discovery of a remote island in Mashqita Lake, and the exploration of various caves and reserves. The society is led by a board of directors headed by Dr. Basel Hakim, with Ridwan Nweilati as vice president, Khaled Nweilati as secretary and activities leader, Mudar Al-Freih as treasurer, and Mohammed Taqi as administrative member. Members are called 'Al-Qassas' (trackers) and participants 'Al-Muqtafi' (followers). The flag consists of red (vitality and activity) and white (purity, peace) halves with the society's emblem in the center.

The Syrian Exploration and Documentation Society traces its origins to the Syrian Scout organization, which ceased activities in the 1980s. However, one of its groups, the 11th Group, kept its members in contact and conducted unofficial camping trips. In 2005, the leaders of Group 11 decided to form an officially licensed association. They succeeded in licensing the Syrian Exploration Society (license No. 133 from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour dated 7 January 2008). The society's motto is 'I am the Syrian' (أنا السوري). Since its establishment, the society has carried out hundreds of field activities and development training camps, contributing to significant achievements in exploration, documentation, and training. It has attracted people interested in the environment, domestic tourism, and volunteer work. The society aims to give young people the opportunity to experience nature up close and adapt to it, qualify and train volunteer cadres to create national exploration and documentation missions, enhance intellectual and cultural cohesion among different components of society, spread health and environmental awareness through seminars and specialized training activities, and advance youth thought while strengthening confidence, belonging, and pride in the homeland. Key achievements include the first discovery of a water cave that was a seal habitat in Lattakia governorate (2022), the first introduction of snow skiing in Syria, the first introduction of zip-lining in Syria's history, the discovery of a remote island in Mashqita Lake, and the exploration of various caves and reserves. The society is led by a board of directors headed by Dr. Basel Hakim, with Ridwan Nweilati as vice president, Khaled Nweilati as secretary and activities leader, Mudar Al-Freih as treasurer, and Mohammed Taqi as administrative member. Members are called 'Al-Qassas' (trackers) and participants 'Al-Muqtafi' (followers). The flag consists of red (vitality and activity) and white (purity, peace) halves with the society's emblem in the center.

• 2022

  Discovery of first water cave that was a seal habitat in Lattakia governorate on 11 September.

• 2008

  Society officially licensed by Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (decision No. 133) on 7 January.

• 2005

  Leaders of Scout Group 11 decided to form an officially licensed association.

• 1988

  Idea for establishing the society dates back to this year.

Non-profit exploration and documentation organization focused on Syrian natural and cultural heritage.

• Exploration expeditions

  Field trips to remote areas for discovery and documentation.

• Documentation missions

  Visual, audio, and written documentation of wildlife and heritage.

• Training camps

  Development training camps for volunteers.

1. 1Official website homepagesyrianeds.org
2. 2Wikidata entrywikidata.org
3. 3Arabic Wikipedia articlear.wikipedia.org