Duke of Edinburgh - Bronze Expedition
February 14th, 2022
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award – Qualifying Expedition Details
Dear Parents & Students,
Please find below details for the Bronze D of E Qualifying Expedition which will take place on Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th February.
Due to covid-19 and following DofE and government advice, there will be no overnight camping.
This will mean the qualifying expedition will consist of two, full days of walking returning home each night to sleep.
Students are still required to carry the equipment they would of if they were on a two-day expedition and will be required to cook a hot lunch each day. This was explained to students on their training weekend.
Expedition Area, Start & Finish Points
The qualifying expedition will take place around the Bromsgrove/Droitwich area.
The route was planned on their training day in the expedition groups, students know what number they are.
Please make sure you know their expedition group number as there are two start/finish points. For this to run smoothly, its very important they arrive at the correct start point and get picked up at their finish point.
Saturday 26th February
Group 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
Start: Trench Wood Car Park, Trench Lane, Sale Green, Droitwich WR9 7NB
Time: 8:30am
Group 6, 7, 8 & 9
Start: Pepper Wood Carpark, Dordale Road, Bromsgrove, B61 9JT
Time: 8:30
All groups will finish at the same place
Finish: Webs Garden Centre – Wychbold, Worcester Rd, Droitwich, WR9 0DG
Time: 4pm (ish)
Sunday 27th February
All groups will start at:
Start: Webs Garden Centre – Wychbold, Worcester Rd, Droitwich, WR9 0DG
Time: 8:30
Group 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
Finish: Pepper Wood Carpark, Dordale Road, Bromsgrove, B61 9JT
Time: 4pm (ish)
Group 6, 7, 8 & 9
Finish: Trench Wood Car Park, Trench Lane, Sale Green, Droitwich WR9 7NB
Time: 4pm (ish)
Transport
Due to the size of this year’s group, there are split start and finish points, students will need to arrange their own transport to and from their start and finish points. If this becomes a challenge for you, please let me know. Its very important students arrive at their correct start point and get picked up at their correct finish point.
There will be support vehicles driving around monitoring students remotely.
Food
In accordance with the DofE Expedition Conditions, students will need to cook and eat a substantial meal each day. This will be their lunch and they will be required to demonstrate their ability to use a stove safely. As they are required to be self-sufficient, this food must be present at the beginning of their expedition and must be carried. They should have no need to go into shops during their expedition.
The use of stoves and what food to have was covered in their training and they now should have a good idea what they would like to do. Please referrer to the expedition booklet for ideas, if you have any question please drop me an email.
Please ensure they have sufficient ‘Emergency Rations’, as indicated in the following statement taken from the DofE Expedition Guide – ‘Every participant needs emergency rations.
It does not have to be much, but it is an essential part of participants thinking about risk management and preparing for their expedition. A good ration pack should include a favourite high energy snack (Snickers and Mars bars work well or, in hot weather, Kendal Mint Cake), sweets (such as Haribo, wine gums, fruit pastilles, raw jelly cubes etc.), energy drink powder/hot chocolate sachets and a substantial filling snack like a flapjack. Keep it all in a waterproof bag or container.’ Failure to observe this instruction may result in your non-participation of the expedition.'
Equipment
Included in their expedition booklet is a kit list for each student along with team kit that needs to be carried despite them not staying overnight. It is important students carry the current kit despite not staying overnight. Rucksacks will be checked before they depart in the morning.
The following items will be provided by school for each group:
Map & Compass
Route Card
Group first aid kit (personal ones are still required to be carried by individuals)
Tent(s)
Survival Bag
Stove, Fuel & Matches
These will be brought on the Saturday morning to your start point where you can then pack them into your bags.
Rucksacks and roll mats can be hired from school if you do not have one of your own, please email me to arrange.
Debrief
On completion of their expedition, their assessor will undertake a debrief with the expedition team which will cover their aim, experiences and outcomes. This will take place at their finish points.
Other Notes
Mobile Phones
In line with guidance given by the DofE in conjunction with the requirements of the insuring organiser, one fully charged mobile phone can be carried by the team during the expedition.
The mobile phone should only be unsealed and used in the case of a serious accident or emergency.
Other than the one phone that will be carried, students can hand in their phones before they start, and they will be returned to them once they have completed to phone home for pick up.
Consent Form
For the expedition programme, a consent form needs to be completed due to the nature of the activity. Please return this before Friday 18th February, failure to do so means for son will not be able to attend.
Emergency Contact
In case of an emergency please contact the Outdoor Education Department Mobile on 07731558262. Please understand that the phone may be out of signal so please leave your name, a small message, and a contact number.
Once students have completed both walks, they will have completed their DofE Expedition section. Students are then to make sure all the other sections are complete (volunteering, physical & skill) and then their DofE Bronze will be awarded.
If you have any questions regarding the expedition or DofE please do not hesitate to email me.
Kind Regards
Mr Julian
Outdoor Education - D of E Manger
b.julian@knbs.co.uk