DUKE OF EDINBURGH J A N U A RY 2 0 1 9
WHAT IS DUKE OF EDINBURGH? An internationally recognised award programme for young people aged 14-25 Founded in 1956 by the Duke of Edinburgh and has now expanded to 144 countries Three award levels bronze(14+), silver (15+) and gold (16+)
WHAT IT INVOLVES Volunteering section: 3 months Physical section: 3 months Skills section: 3 months Expedition section: 2 days/1 night 3 more months in a section of your choice
VOLUNTEERING
PHYSICAL
SKILLS
BEFORE CHOOSING THE ACTIVITIES: When choosing their activities, pupils should bear in mind: 1. Are they going to enjoy it? 2. How much will it cost? 3. Can they do it locally? 4. Do they need training/insurance (training can only count for ¼ of the volunteering time) 5. Check with DofE leader that it s permitted for that section
WHEN COMPLETING THE ACTIVITIES: Participants should ensure that 1. The plan for each activity is uploaded to edofe 2. They have an assessor who can vouch for what they do 3. They can commit an hour per week to the activity for the set amount of time 4. The assessor report and any photo evidence is uploaded to edofe before the expedition
EXPEDITION
EXPEDITION Preparation: navigation, orienteering and first aid training Training Weekend: route planning, camp craft, tent & trangia tutorials Practice Expedition Presentation: participants give short presentation on their experiences Qualifying Expedition
Claremont Fan Court School 2019 DofE Expeditions
About Expeditions Wales DofE Expedition provider since 2009 High Quality standards: HSE Adventurous Activity License (AALA). DofE Approved Activity Provider. Insurance cover of 10M and member of Activity Industry Mutual. Work with over 300 expedition groups every season. Student Feedback: Both on the practice and the assessed expeditions, I enjoyed the freedom you gave us to roam around beautiful areas at our own pace while always knowing you had our backs if there was a problem.
In safe hands Number 1 rule - Safety is the main priority! Strong team of highly experienced Expedition Leaders. Excellent safety record and reputation in the industry. Many of the team are Mountain Rescue members. Extensive first aid experience and backgrounds. Major focus on personal development within a team. Expeditions Wales do an extremely good job in managing their expeditions. DofE Head Office Inspection June 2017
Expeditions Wales Staff Team Collectively we ve worked with over 1200 DofE Expedition groups.
DofE Expeditions Aim of the expedition section To inspire young people to develop initiative and a sense of adventure and discovery, by planning, training for and completing an adventurous journey as part of a team.
We Build on the section aim, encouraging teams to grow and adapt, smile, take responsibility, participate fully, enjoy, collaborate, participate, persevere, respect, achieve
Duke of Edinburgh s Award Expeditions Expedition Durations and Terrain Level Duration Terrain Bronze 2 days/1 night 6 hours of planned activity per day Normal Rural Countryside at a low level. Silver 3 days/2 nights 7 hours of planned activity per day Open countryside, more demanding than Bronze, not including mountainous terrain Gold 4 days/3 nights 8 hours of planned activity per day Wild, remote countryside, including some high level terrain
Supervision and Assistance We are out and about walking routes throughout the expeditions. Groups are being observed and shadowed far more than they realise. Some expedition staff will use strategic spots, for water stops, or to ensure mobile phone signal and communications across the staff team. All groups carry our emergency card, which has two direct emergency contact numbers for the expedition staff, plus a back up number for 24 hour assistance. Groups are trained in how, when and why assistance should be requested and part of our training is based on real scenarios from past expeditions.
Welfare on Expedition It is our policy to top water up at suitable times and locations en route. All participants should carry 2 litres of water from the outset of each day. 1 small plastic bottle of soft drink is allowed as long as 2 litres of water are also carried. No caffeine based energy drinks are allowed due to dehydration. Weight of food for each day should be no more than 1kg per day. Groups will plan menus as part of their training sessions leading up to the practice and assessed expeditions. Expeditions Wales reserve the right to remove anyone who is not drinking or eating from the expedition for their own personal safety. School staff will be involved pastorally.
Expedition Timeline Training Weekend Saturday 8 th & Sunday 9 th June Claremont Fan Court School. 9.30am 3.30pm (approximate timings) Practice Expedition Saturday 21 st & Sunday 22 nd September Denbies Hills Car Park (Ranmore Common), Surrey Hills Qualifying Expedition Saturday 5 th & Sunday 6 th October North Holmwood (Dorking) Newlands Corner Visitor Centre, Surrey Hills Post expedition each group delivers a presentation about their expedition to School DofE leaders.
Claremont Fan Court School Expeditions Training & Preparation Weekend: Awareness of expedition expectations. Introduce the equipment required for an expedition. Packing and organising rucksacks. Food ideas, how to plan out your food as a group. First aid training and emergency procedures. Navigation training and short practice walk. Route Planning for practice expedition
Practice Expedition
Practice Expedition Groups are shadowed closely by Expeditions Wales staff during day 1 to check the navigation and provide immediate back up when mistakes are made. As groups become more confident, we step back and allow them to travel and demonstrate their skills independently, while observing development. School and Expeditions Wales staff camp on site with the group.
Qualifying Expedition
Qualifying Expedition Groups travel more independently (remote supervision) but are met at regular intervals by Supervisors and Assessors from the Expeditions Wales team. Independence is encouraged with groups taking charge of their expedition, working together to solve problems while back up is close at hand. We camp with them overnight.
Top Tips! Look after your feet walking boots not trainers, normal sports socks or walking socks are fine. Blisters can be avoided and this is covered in first aid sessions! Plan food as a group groups will plan menus as part of their training. Group meals take less time and are often the highlight of the day. Get a good nights sleep be organised in the tent. Make sure your sleeping bag does up and your sleeping mat is at least 1cm thick. Keep essential items dry sleeping bags and spare clothing should be in dry bags, rucksack liners or at minimum, 2 very strong plastic bags or a rubble sack. Rucksack covers do not keep out the rain.
Food planning and portion control saves a whole evening of cooking pasta!
Advice Available Equipment there will be an equipment list and advice pack sent home with the pupils. If you are unsure about any items, contact the School first. Tents, stoves with fuel, maps and compasses are provided. Borrowing equipment from other family members or friends is a great way to start. Many retailers offer discounts for DofE participants. If you don t know what to buy, contact us via email, preferably with links, we ll reply as soon as we can with options.
Further advice for parents! Heavy rucksacks are the bane of our expeditions, although this may well be their first time away, getting the balance right is essential. Menu plans are organised in School prior to the expedition, please help the participants stick to these. Food should weigh no more than 1kg per day. Spare clothing should be kept to a minimum extra clothing means extra weight (and washing afterwards) They are allowed to get wet! If in doubt, seek advice from ourselves and/or School leaders. The most common feedback from students after an expedition is: I wish I had brought more snacks and less clothes
Contact during Expeditions During the expedition all participants will have their mobile phones switched off in accordance with DofE Expedition Guidelines and to save battery life. Mobile phones are only for use in line with our emergency procedures. Please do not attempt to contact participants during their expedition No news is good news though we feed updates via our Twitter and Facebook feed pages.
Thank you Parents!
Thank you
Your Expedition We Make it Happen www.expeditionswales.co.uk
THE BENEFITS Chance to try new things Grow in confidence Develop new skills Build friendships Encourage positive work ethic Enhance career prospects Have fun!
VIDEO
HOW TO COMPLETE THE AWARD 1. Decide what to do for the three sections physical, skill and volunteering 2. Submit registration form and plan 3. Log in to edofe to upload information 4. Attend expedition training 5. Complete the three sections 6. Do the expedition & presentation 7. Log back into edofe and give evidence for each secton
PARENTS INVOLVEMENT Give consent and pay sign up fee Bronze - 199 Make sure child has equipment for expedition Encourage commitment across the four sections Encourage use of edofe
IMPORTANT DATES Tuesday 5 th March 4pm: Navigation Training at school Sunday 10 th March 9am - 12pm: Orienteering Morning Norbury Park 8 th 9 th June: Expedition Training Weekend at CFC 21 st 22 nd September: Practice Expedition at Ranmore Common 5 th 6 th October: Assessed Expedition at North Holmwood
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Look at DofE website, speak to someone who has completed the award or ask teachers if still unsure Fill out a consent form and programme plan and submit by Thursday 31 st January Receive edofe log in and get started Put the expedition dates and training in the diary
ANY QUESTIONS? DofE Official Website: www.doe.org Expeditions Wales Website: www.expeditionswales.co.uk