At the end of March, I spent a weekend working with some 6th Form pupils from Oswestry School who were starting their training towards their Gold DofE expedition. On that occasion, there were some preparing to do their expedition by canoe, others by sea kayak and others on foot and the training covered was generic for all 3 modes of travel. This time I was … Read More »
Category Archives: DofE Expeditions
DofE Season Kick off with Oswestry School
Duke of Edinburgh expeditions tend to make up quite a bit of my working diary from April through to June, but it was nice to start the ball rolling a little earlier this year. I'm due to spend 5 days with Oswestry School in about a weeks time, working with pupils building up to their Gold walking expedition which is expected to take place in … Read More »
Gold DofE Expedition
I've spent the last few days supervising a Gold Duke of Edinburgh qualifying expedition for a group of pupils from Oswestry School. In fact, it was a group that I trained back at the end of March, so it was great to catch up with them and see them embark on the real thing after all their hard work. Wednesday saw them making their final preparations, … Read More »
Shrewsbury School Outdoor Week
Each year, after their school exams, all of Shrewsbury School's Year 9 pupils undertake a 6 day program of various activities. 3 days are spent doing activities based out of school, but often going off site. This year included an activities day at Nesscliffe Training Camp, a conservation day with the Shropshire Wildlife Trust and a leadership day. For the remaining 3 days, the school … Read More »
Oswestry School Bronze DofE Practice
Wow - what a scortcher! Following Oswestry School's Bronze DofE training weekend a fortnight ago, this weekend was an opportunity for the candidates to put everything together during the course of a 2 day practice expedition. Due to the fact that many of the pupils are due to have a GCSE exam at the start of the week, the decision was made to hold the expedition … Read More »
Shrewsbury School Bronze Training
This weekend was spent working with a group of 6 aspirant Bronze Duke of Edinburgh candidates from Shrewsbury School on an expedition training weekend. In total, there were 8 walking groups from Shrewsbury School, each with their own instructor for the weekend, working out of Brow Farm campsite at Ratlinghope, on the north-western side of the Long Mynd in the Shropshire Hills AONB. This is an … Read More »
Bronze DofE Training
The Duke of Edinburgh expedition season really seems to get going each May, and this weekend saw pupils from Oswestry School getting stuck in to their training with a weekend based out of Carrog Station campsite, along the River Dee to the west of Llangollen. As is normally the case, they came with varying degrees of previous experience and skill but they had all received some … Read More »
Oswestry School Gold DofE Training
The last 5 days have been spent working with a group of 6th Form pupils from Oswestry School, preparing them for their Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition. Out of the group of seven, several were direct entrants, whilst others had quite a bit of experience already. Those new to hill walking found themselves on a steep learning curve with a great deal to learn about … Read More »