Stepping up to the challenge
Personal & team development through challenge
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a Personal Development programme made up of four sections. The other 3 sections can be done as an individual but the Expedition section is a teamwork challenge. The Qualifying Expedition must be an unaccompanied journey, through unfamiliar terrain, carrying all the clothing, equipment and food that the team needs to keep themselves safe and healthy.
And so to achieve this, teams must plan the routes, undertake technical training, then buy and pack appropriate clothing, equipment, food and medications. All with minimal adult assistance.
During the Qualifying Expedition a participant must rely on themselves and their team for support and motivation whilst travelling, navigating, camping, cooking and dealing with problems and physical exertion.
It is normal for teams to get lost, experience bad weather and have medical issues. It is also normal for the days to feel long and hard. Campsites are basic, and everyone goes home sore and tired.
The physical and mental challenges experienced during expeditions are varied and help a young person develop, personal responsibility, interpersonal skills and self esteem. All important attributes as they journey towards adulthood.
Here is what to expect for the different levels of award.....
Bronze
6 - 7 hours, 2 days
10 - 12 km/day
Fields, farmland & low hills
Silver
7 - 8 hours, 3 days
12 - 14 km/day
farmland, hills, open moorland
Gold
8 - 10 hours, 4 days
13 - 18 km/day
Remote valleys, hills & mountains
Bronze Expeditions
Bronze is the first level of the award. Mainly undertaken in Year 9 and 10. It is an introduction to taking responsibility for yourself and your preparation. An introduction to working in a team of 4 to 7 others, that may not be your friends.
Participants come to a Planning day to meet their team, plan their route on a map, learn about clothing, equipment and plan what food they will bring and meals they will cook together. There will be a session on 'Using a first aid kit & dealing with emergencies.
There will be a Training expedition where your team work with a trainer who will teach you how to use a map, put up tents and use a gas cooker to make meals.
Watch our video of a Bronze Qualifying expedition to get a feel of what you will have to achieve as an individual and as a team.....
Bronze is the first level of the award. Mainly undertaken in Year 9 and 10. It is an introduction to taking responsibility for yourself and your preparation. An introduction to working in a team of 4 to 7 others, that may not be your friends.
Participants come to a Planning day to meet their team, plan their route on a map, learn about clothing, equipment and plan what food they will bring and meals they will cook together. There will be a session on 'Using a first aid kit & dealing with emergencies.
There will be a Training expedition where your team work with a trainer who will teach you how to use a map, put up tents and use a gas cooker to make meals.
Watch our video of a Bronze Qualifying expedition to get a feel of what you will have to achieve as an individual and as a team.....
Silver Award
Silver is the intermediate level of the award. Mainly undertaken in Year 10 & 11. It can build on Bronze, or you can start here if you have not done bronze. It builds on taking responsibility for yourself and your preparation. The team of 4 to 7 others may not be your friends.
Watch our video of a Silver Qualifying expedition to get a feel of what you will have to achieve as an individual and as a team.....
Silver is the intermediate level of the award. Mainly undertaken in Year 10 & 11. It can build on Bronze, or you can start here if you have not done bronze. It builds on taking responsibility for yourself and your preparation. The team of 4 to 7 others may not be your friends.
Watch our video of a Silver Qualifying expedition to get a feel of what you will have to achieve as an individual and as a team.....
Gold level award
Gold is the highest level of award.
Gold is the highest level of award.
Don't just take our word for it....
Watch this video of some Gold candidates who have done Bronze to Gold with us to hear their personal perspectives...
Watch this video of some Gold candidates who have done Bronze to Gold with us to hear their personal perspectives...