DofE Open Gold Practice Expedition

2027 bookings available!

Join us for your DofE Gold Training and Practice Expedition held over 4 days and 3 nights. Our Expeditions are held in beautiful locations across the Lake District, Peak District or Yorkshire Dales.

The perfect stepping stone to learning new skills and gaining valuable experience that will help prepare you for your Gold Qualifying Expedition.

4 days

3 nights

£295 inc. VAT

Dates 2027

Peak District

5th April - 8th April (Mon-Thurs) Book Now
1st June - 4th June (Mon-Thurs) Book Now

Yorkshire Dales

19th July - 22nd July (Mon-Thurs) Book Now
9th August - 12th August (Mon-Thurs) Book Now

Lake District

25th Oct - 28th Oct (Mon-Thurs) Book Now

Overview

Our DofE Open Gold Training and Practice Expedition programmes will feel welcoming and friendly. Our supportive instructor team will make sure you have a safe, fun and rewarding expedition experience.

Explore incredible National Parks, have an adventure, build confidence, resilience, navigation skills and teamwork with our DofE Open Gold Practice Expeditions.

Itinerary - Day by Day

4-days includes:

1-day Expedition Training
1-day Navigation Training walk
2-days/2-nights Practice Expedition

To view the full itinerary, expand this panel:

Day 1: Arrival/Training day

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

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 a range of practical training sessions, practicing essential Gold DofE Expedition, team and navigation 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
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 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. 16:00.

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Alternatives

Have you considered a Back-to-Back Expedition?

Short of time, and keen to complete a Practice and Qualifying Expedition all in one 7-Day programme?
With various dates and locations available, our Back-to-Back Expeditions are guided by the same professional staff and are all delivered with outstanding services.

DofE Open Gold Back-to-Back Expeditions >>

Locations

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

Yorkshire Dales
Start: Austwick, Near Settle
Finish: Settle

Peak District
Start: Bamford, Hope
Finish: Bamford, Hope

Full joining information will be emailed on booking.
Locations are chosen for their ease of access by car and public transport.
Practice and Qualifying Expeditions should ideally take place in different locations. i.e. Practice in the Peak District and a Qualifying in the Lake District.

What's included?

Tents
Group 1st Aid Kit
Tracking Device
Water Purification
Stoves/Pans & Gas
Maps & Map Cases
Coloured Rucksack Covers
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.
Personalised Report. Highlighting areas of improvement, recommendations and achievements during the expedition process.

You will need to arrange

Our DofE Open Gold Practice 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.