DofE Open Silver Practice Expeditions - walking

Day 1: Arrival day

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

• Getting to know your team
• 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 

The programme will commence at 13:00 

Day 2: Training day

Teams will take part in practical training sessions, practicing essential Silver DofE Expedition skills.  With guidance, they will also plan their Practice Expedition, marking the routes on a map for each day.  

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

Days 3/4: Practice Expedition

The Practice Expedition provides an opportunity to apply all that has been learnt in real expedition conditions. Teams will navigate independently to their campsite, being remotely supervised.  Additional training might also be given by the instructor along the way if needed, which might 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

When the teams arrive at camp, after a warm welcome and a cheer, 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. 

At the end of the Practice Expedition, there will be time for reflection, feedback, celebrating achievements, questions and a full debrief.   

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

The programme will finish at approx. 15:00.

The Qualifying Expedition is the final assessed section of the Open Silver DofE Expedition programme.

Participants complete a 3-day / 2-night journey while being remotely supervised and assessed by accredited DofE assessors. 

Day 1: Arrival day

• Getting to know your team 
• 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 Silver Expedition adventure 

The programme will commence at 13:00.  

Days 2/3/4: Qualifying Expedition 

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

The Open Silver DofE Qualifying Expedition will involve ongoing observation using remote supervision, as well as meeting up in person with our DofE accredited assessors.  GSM trackers are also given to each group for additional safety and means of locating.  

There will be a full debrief by the assessing instructors at the end of day 4.  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. 

The programme will finish at approx. 15:00.