SILVER Biddick School Sports College Biddick Lane Washington Tyne & Wear NE38 8AL Tel: 0191 561 3680 Head Teacher: Mr R. Wilkinson A safe place where we promote and enjoy the highest individual achievement Dear sir/madam, As you will be aware your son/daughter is working towards completing their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award. We are aiming to undertake the qualifying venture between Monday 2 nd July and Thursday the 5 th July. We will be meeting at Biddick School at 7.30am on Monday 2 nd and will return to school by 3.00pm Thursday 5 th July. Students will be carrying out a self sufficient journey in the Lake District. They will camp at two separate locations. If weather conditions are not permitting a valley based expedition will take place using campsites. Teaching Staff will be following the group remotely to allow students to carry out the majority of the expedition on their own. The cost of the trip will be 35 which will cover costs for transport, accommodation and group equipment. Students will need to pack according to the kit list and the experience gained from the Bronze expedition. They will also need to bring with them their own food and water. Please make cheques payable to Biddick School Sports College and return this before the expedition date. If there are any problems please contact me at school and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Please find attached: 1. Consent form 2. Kit list 3. Background information about equipment Regards T. Heaney Teacher of Biddick School Emergency contact number for the trip is: 07990791630 - Mr Heaney
Equipment The kit list is designed to ensure safety and comfort, in that order, during outdoor expeditions, however not everything has to be obtained by every participant. You will notice the list is broken down into items that are: 1. Essential: This is safety related and your child will be unable to undertake the expedition without all these items 2. Recommended: This is equipment recommended to enable the student to have acceptable levels of comfort given the variability of our weather and countryside conditions. 3. Shared group kit. Sources of equipment: I thought this may be useful as some students may be suggesting to you that they have been told to buy the latest Berghaus jacket etc: this is false information. Shop: location Opinion: 1. Cotswold Metrocentre & Newcastle & Range of qualities and price, 10% discount Durham good place to start for DofE looking. 2.Blacks Metrocentre & Newcastle Has higher quality and priced items 3. Wild Traks Newcastle (next to St James Park) 4.Tiso Newcastle: Near Greys monument Very friendly and approachable staff, can negotiate discount. Large store, big range of choice. Matalan, Aldi and other such retailers also often sell outdoor equipment so it is worth having a look. With outdoor kit, you usually get what you pay for in terms of quality.
Some makes of equipment in ascending order of quality: Regatta, Peter Storm, Eurohike, Stormlite, Value for money less expensive kit. Can be less durable. Gelert, Regatta X-ert range Craghopper, Vaude, Vango Berghaus, Sprayway, LoweAlpine, Northface, LoweAlpine etc Good value for money gear Solid, Mid range gear High end performance and quality.
Equipment The school can provide some equipment and this will be highlighted. Boots with good grip (above the ankle, waterproof are perfect) Socks (not thin and no Personal Kit Essential Torch& spare batteries tent Water bottle (2litre water from Asda is fine) Mug- plastic or metal Group kit Pocket knife (optional) 1 st aid kit seam) 2 pairs Rucksack 65+ liters Knife and spoon Gas canister Waterproof jacket Bin liner x2 Cooking pans Waterproof trousers Underwear Matches/lighter Fleece/jumper Spare baselayer + Washing up liquid trousers Walking trousers/ Wash kit & small towel Bin bag tracksuit bottoms or similar (NO JEANS) karri mat t-shirt/ base layer Ouch pouch Food. 2 lunches, 1 evening meal, 1 breakfast. Warm shirt/long rugby shirt Gloves & Wooly hat Sleeping bag 3 seasons ideally. Ouch pouch personal 1 st aid kit, plasters, bandages,compeed (blister pack) personal medicines clearly labeled Whistle Emergency rations Recommended Rucksack liner- wickes rubble sack is ideal Spare socks Suncream Sunglasses Snacks/cereal bars Hot chocolate, tea, coffee, sugar
Food& Itinerary I apologies for the typing errors in the initial letter, that is what I get for trying to rush information out to students without being proof read first! Below you ll find the exact information: You will need to carry food for: 2 evening meals, 3 breakfast and 3 lunches. Make sure you have removed any unnecessary weight, for example packaging. Make sure 1. You are carrying food that you are actually going to eat (you could measure this out into sealable sandwich bags before hand. The more food you carry the heavier the bag will be! 2. You are carrying food that will not leak/spill inside your rucksack and your lunches do not require cooking. Example: a portion of porridge with dried milk and sugar measured into a sandwich bag will make a good breakfast. Remember the expedition section is only for 3 days and 2 nights. You can change into dry clothing at the end of the second day so no need to carry too many pieces of spare clothing. You could probably put up with most things for 2 nights and therefore do without the gas powered hair straightens and mobile phone chargers. What you bring on the expedition you will have to carry. Will it make your rucksack too heavy? Will it pack without damage? Will it survive if it got wet? Is it really vital for your survival for one night? Itinerary: Monday Travel & evening meal in Keswick (paid for by the school). Camp in the valley. Tuesday Expedition starts Poole Bridge catch the ferry- Glenridding Grizedale Tarn (camp night 1) Wednesday Grizedale Tarn - Grasmere Langdales (camp night 2) Thursday Walk down the valley to the pickup point and head home.