Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions: Summer Update

Photo: Silver Expedition Wild Camping in the Pentlands

We have been very busy at all levels of the award this term with several expeditions having taken place already.

During the last weekend of the Easter Holiday twelve Lower Sixth boys undertook their Gold practice in the Highlands between Blair Atholl and Glenshee. The late winter conditions created some challenging route finding problems and were a stiff test of the boys' camp-craft and personal administration skills. It was experiential learning for many boys!

The following week saw a new combined training/assessment long weekend at Bronze level. Over 50 boys from the Fourth Form were involved and an external provider, World Challenge, was drafted in to help. The package involved intensive skills training in combination with camping experience and a final walking expedition in East Lothian. Seven groups were out in the area between Aberlady and Thorntonloch, creating an interesting logistical challenge in collecting them all back at the end.

The most recent expedition, during half term, was at Silver level. Over thirty boys from the Shell undertook their practice/training expedition, involving two nights camping, in the Pentland Hills. Given the large numbers involved, World Challenge also helped in providing equipment and suitable numbers of extra qualified instructors. The weather was particularly kind and excellent progress was made.

Still on the menu for this term: next weekend a small group of Lower Sixth boys are undertaking a Gold Practice in the Lowther Hills and the final week of term sees a combined Silver (Fifth Form who missed Ben Alder) and Gold Assessment expedition in the Three Peaks area of the Yorkshire Dales.