Cheltenham College approached us to arrange a Silver qualifying expedition that involved more than a single mode of travel. The school are in the fortunate position to be able to offer canoeing as part if their extracurricular activity provision. Their DofE Manager asked if we would be able to put together a bespoke Silver qualifying expedition that allowed some canoeing.
Many canoe expeditions involve river travel. As our brief was for the experience to be a hybrid model with one full day on the water, we looked to the Ullswater valley. We were able to arrange an expedition that involved an overnight hostel stay for the participants on their arrival day. The following morning, the expedition could begin with teams canoeing the full length of Ullswater. The following 2 days involved a complete circumnavigation of the valley and lake, finishing in an easily-accessible location for their assessor debrief and long journey home.
Participants enjoyed the hybrid model and the canoe section was able to be supported with a safety boat present at all times. The walking phase of the expedition allowed participants to appreciate the valley, and their canoe route, from many vantage points. The success of this model resulted in Cheltenham College making repeated bookings in subsequent years.
With a brilliant reputation for academic excellence and developing pupils beyond the classroom, Cheltenham College is one of the country’s leading co-educational independent schools for boarding and day pupils aged 13–18. College has 750 pupils from around the UK and beyond and is in the heart of Regency Cheltenham Spa.
Search our knowledgebase. Helping you be prepared for your DofE expedition or Challenge Event.
For many DofE participants, the thought of not showering and spending a significant chunk of time feeling a little damp is almost a deal-breaker. There are, however, things you can do to mentally and physically prepare yourself for the expedition ahead and getting comfortable with the uncomfortable. Alex, our DofE Manager, talks to us about tips to help cope with limited luxury on expedition.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is often celebrated for building resilience, teamwork and independence. But look a little closer, and something deeper emerges. Its structure aligns remarkably well with the 5 Ways to Wellbeing: Connect, Take Notice, Learn, Move and Give. In short, what if we stopped seeing DofE as just an award and started recognising it as a powerful framework for preventative mental health? We caught up with Grace Knill to hear why adventure and mental health go hand in hand.