DofE Gold Walking Expedition

Complete Gold DofE Expedition programme (Training and Qualifying) 

Committing to the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award takes a lot!  The highest level of DofE Award, it's a big challenge with big rewards, but can also have numerous positive impacts on young people.  At The Adventure Element, we're here to support your school, or group, and young people by providing walking Expeditions that are professionally organised, managed and delivered.  

We can provide Practice / Training and Qualifying programmes, over 7 or 9 days, or just 1 element.  

Why choose The Adventure Element Gold Expedition walking programme?

Our Gold Expedition walking programmes are designed with student development at the heart of everything we do.  We replace your stress with support, helping to organise, manage and deliver an Expedition that is right for you and your students.  We specialise in delivering DofE Expeditions that focus on safety, simplicity, stunning outdoor locations, flexibility, learning and, of course, enjoying the adventure! 

  • Over 30 years of outdoor and DofE Expedition experience 
  • Highly qualified, supportive and experienced instructors and assessors 
  • Proven DofE Expedition delivery track record with schools nationwide 
  • Management, organisation, logistics and administration handled by us 
7 or 9 days
6 nights
£406pp to £522 + VAT (Min. Team Size 14)
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Training and Practice

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Day 1: Arrival day

Our Expedition training framework covers all relevant core elements required for the Gold DofE Award, to include: 

  • Reviewing / checks of kit and equipment  
  • Route planning, navigation and map skills 
  • Putting up tents 
  • Group cooking task (using stoves) 
  • Safety and basic first aid 

Day 2: Training day

Teams will review and practice their essential Gold DofE Expedition skills by taking part in practical training sessions.  They will also plan, with guidance, their Practice Expedition, which will include marking the routes on their maps for each day, to include distance and timings.  

  • Navigation skills in terrain appropriate for Gold DofE terrain
  • Campcraft (tents, stoves, food prep) 
  • Packing a rucksack
  • Route planning
  • Safety and emergency scenarios


Days 3/4: Practice Expedition

The Gold DofE Practice Expedition gives students the opportunity to use and apply all the skills they have learnt in training in real Expedition conditions, as well as highlight any areas for improvement. 

With remote supervision, teams will travel independently to a campsite (wild camps are possible, depending on location). Further training and advice may be offered by the instructor if needed along the way, which could include: 

  • Emergency scenarios - what to do and how to manage 
  • Navigation skills and techniques, putting them into practice 
  • Expedition skills in the outdoors 
  • Team work - how to work effectively in a group

An enthusiastic welcome and cheer awaits the groups on arrival at camp, then it’s time to put the tents up and start cooking – all with supervision and support from our instructors to ensure ongoing learning and safety. 

A full debrief is important at the end of the Practice Expedition, so time is made for reflection, feedback, celebrating achievements and any questions. 

A report is always produced by our DofE instructors which can be used as evidence of completion for the students to upload to their eDofE account. 

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Qualifying

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The Qualifying Expedition is the final assessed section of the Gold DofE Expedition programme and one that is hopefully the most exciting and long-awaited by students.  

Participants complete a 4-day / 3-night journey while being remotely supervised and assessed by accredited DofE assessors. 

Day 1: Arrival day

  • Full kit checks on Expedition morning before leaving  
  • Distribution of group kit and emergency contact cards 
  • Route plan and map check for Expedition route 
  • Refresh of emergency procedures 
  • Meet-up points reminder  
  • Off into the hills for an exciting Gold Expedition adventure 

Days 2/3/4/5: Qualifying Expedition 

  • Ongoing assessment and remote supervision by our qualified DofE assessors 
  • End of Expedition debrief and reporting 

Throughout the DofE Gold Qualifying Expedition, participants will be monitored and observed using remote supervision, in addition to meeting up in person with our DofE accredited assessors.  GSM trackers are also given to each group as an additional safety measure and means of location.  

At the end of day 5, as well as a big 'well done' the assessing instructors will have a full debrief with the group. This provides an opportunity for participants to reflect, identify proud moments, achievements, learnings and ask questions. 

A full report is produced for each student, which is to be uploaded to their eDofE account as evidence of the Silver Expedition Award completion. 

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Videos

Take a look at this quick video for details and information about the group Expedition kit The Adventure Element can provide.


What's included?

  • Indoor training facilities
    Indoor training rooms or large group shelters are provided for the first nights of the programme.
  • Camping fees
    Campsites, sometimes with limited facilities, or wild camping, depending on the Expedition location.
  • Use of group equipment available
    Tents (2 & 3 person)
    Trangia stoves + pans and fuel
    Group first aid kits
    Maps and map cases 
    Group shelters
    Coloured rucksack covers
    Water purification tablets
  • Comprehensive training
    Covering all aspects of the DofE syllabus and delivered by our highly experienced and qualified staff.
  • Supervision by highly qualified staff
    1:1 teams for Training and Practice Expeditions
    1:2 teams for Qualifying Expeditions
    Our highly experienced DofE instructor team, qualified to a minimum of Summer Mountain Leader, supervise throughout the Expedition.  
  • DofE Accredited Assessors
    For the Qualifying Expedition only - they will help participants feel supported and relaxed and encourage them towards completing the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Expedition.
  • GSM tracking devices
    In addition to our usual comprehensive supervision and safety management systems we also track each team with GSM trackers, adding an extra level of safety for participants.
  • All administration and logistics.
  • 24 hour emergency back-up.
  • 1 free staff place for every 10 participants.

What do you need to arrange?

Our Gold DofE Expedition packages cover almost everything, however, we do require some input, planning and organising from the school / group.

  • Recruit as many participants as possible.  We can help with information and advice on how best to do this.
  • Complete any in-house administration within your organisation to authorise the Expedition. 
  • Keep in touch with participants, distribute information and ensure they are registered with DofE for the Gold Award.
  • Plan, and make arrangements, for transportation to and from the Expedition venue. This may be a coach or minibus. Some groups arrive by train to keep costs low.
  • We provide 1 free staff place for every 10 participants. Along with our staff, their role will be to ensure the pastoral care of the participants.   

Resources

DofE Expeditions For all DofE Expedition guidance for participants

Notes

  • It is a DofE requirement that Training and Practice Expeditions take place at a different time and location than the Qualifying Expedition. For example - both can take place in the Lake District but one in Keswick, Lake District and the other in Ullswater, Lake District.
  • It is possible for us to only deliver 1 section of the Expedition, for example, just the Training and Practice Expedition. Please contact us to discuss. 
  • Participants wanting to take part in a Qualifying Expedition must complete a Practice Expedition in the appropriate environment and at the correct level. This may have been with a different provider. The Expedition must be signed off on your eDofE record or log book and you must provide us with evidence.
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