DofE Open Gold Back-to-Back Expedition

NEW for 2027: Bookings available!

DofE Gold Back-to-Back expedition are held over 7 days / 6 nights, enabling you to complete a Practice and Qualifying Expedition in one programme.

7 days
6 nights
£505 inc. VAT
Book Now

Overview

Our DofE Open Gold Back-to-Back Expeditions will feel welcoming and friendly. Our supportive instructor team will make sure you have a safe, fun and rewarding expedition experience.

Exploring adventurous terrain you will be given comprehensive training in all aspects of the Gold DofE Expedition framework helping you build confidence, competence, resilience, navigation skills and teamwork, before embarking on your 4 day/ 3 night qualifying expedition.

Itinerary - Day by Day

7-days includes:

1-day / 1-night Expedition Training 
2-days / 2-nights Practice Expedition
4-days / 3-nights Qualifying Expedition 

To view the full itinerary, expand this panel:

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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: 

  • Getting to know your team
  • Reviewing / checks of kit and equipment  
  • Route planning
  • Putting up tents
  • Group cooking task (using stoves)

The programme will commence at 13:00

Day 2/3: Practice Expedition

The Practice Expedition provides an opportunity to apply all that has been learnt in real Expedition conditions and under the close guidance from our instructors. Once ready, 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 
  • Teamwork - how to work effectively in a group

When the teams arrive at camp 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 to restock on food supplies from your spares bag, repack rucksacks and have time for reflection and feedback from your instructor before route planning for your Qualifying expedition.

Days 4/5/6/7: Qualifying Expedition 

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

Our staff will use remote supervision, as well as meeting up in person with our DofE accredited assessors. Instructors will also camp with or near by the teams overnight.

There will be a full debrief by the assessing instructors at the end of day 7.  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 Gold Expedition Award completion. 

The programme will finish at approx. 16:00.

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Dates 2027

Lake District 2027

  • 29th March - 4th April (Sat-Sat) Book Now
  • 24th July - 30th July (Sat-Sat) Book Now

Yorkshire Dales 2027

  • 29th May - 4th June (Sat-Sat) Book Now

Locations

Lake District
Start: Braithwaite, Keswick 
Finish: Threlkeld, Keswick

Yorkshire Dales
Start: Austwick, Near Settle
Finish: Settle

  • Full joining information will be emailed on booking.
  • Locations of our expeditions are chosen for their ease of access by car and public transport.

What's included?

  • Tents
  • Stoves/Pans & Gas
  • Group 1st Aid Kit
  • Maps & Map Cases
  • Tracking Device
  • Coloured Rucksack Covers
  • Water Purification
  • All Camping Fees
  • Group Shelters

Our Services

  • Indoor training facility. Offering a great area for training and preparations, regardless of the weather.
  • Comprehensive training. Covering all aspects of the DofE syllabus.
  • Supervision by highly qualified staff. Ensuring your safety throughout the expedition.
  • DofE Accredited Assessors. For the Qualifying Expedition only - helping you feel relaxed and encourage you towards completing your expedition.
  • Personalised Report. Highlighting areas of improvement, recommendations and achievements during the expedition process.

You will need to arrange

Our DofE Open Gold back-to-Back Expedition covers almost everything, however, we do require some input and organisation from yourself.

  • Transport
    Our expedition locations are chosen for their ease of access via public transport. Personal vehicles can be left in a location close to the finish point of your expedition.
  • Personal clothing and equipment.
    You will need to supply your own clothing, rucksack, boots and sleeping equipment. A full kit list will be sent at the time of booking. Extra clothing/food can be brought along in a 'spares bag'. This will either be stored in a vehicle or at our stores, and you will have access to this in the evening of Day 3, allowing you to repack your main pack.
  • Food 
    Participants will need to bring enough food for the whole expedition. However, there will be an opportunity to restock between to the practice and qualifying expedition. We have teamed up with basecampfoods.com who have a large selection of meals to choose from. Basecamp Food are kindly offering a 10% discount to all participants.
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