DofE Silver Walking Expedition

Complete Silver DofE Expedition programme (Training and Qualifying) 

Our Silver Duke of Edinburgh walking Expeditions are professionally organised, managed and delivered.  We can provide Practice / Training and Qualifying programmes, over 6 or 7 days, or just 1 element.  

Why choose The Adventure Element Silver Expedition walking programme?

We specialise in delivering high quality DofE Expeditions for schools and groups, with a focus on safety, simplicity, stunning outdoor locations, student development 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 
6 or 7 days
5 nights
£348pp to £406 + VAT (Min. Group size 14)
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Silver Training and Practice

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Day 1: Arrival day

Our Expedition training framework covers all relevant core elements required for the Silver 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 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 Silver DofE Practice Expedition gives students the opportunity to apply their training in real Expedition conditions. 

Teams travel independently, with remote supervision, to a campsite (wild camps are possible, depending on location). Further training by the instructor might be given 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

When the teams arrive at camp, to 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. 

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Silver Qualifying Expedition

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

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

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 Silver Expedition adventure 

Days 1/2/3: Qualifying Expedition 

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

The DofE Silver 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 3.  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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What's included?

Our Silver Expedition programmes are designed to be cost-effective and reduce the workload for schools, while delivering an exceptional participant experience meeting all Duke of Edinburgh Award requirements. 

  • Indoor training facility
    An indoor training facility or large group shelters will be available for the first nights of the training programme.
  • 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
  • Camping fees
    Camping will be on a campsite, sometimes with limited facilities.
  • 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 the participants.
  • All administration and logistics.
  • 24 hour emergency back-up.
  • 1 free staff place for every 14 participants.

What do you need to arrange?

Our Silver 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 assist 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 Silver 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. The staff member must attend the Expedition to ensure pastoral care for 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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