Expeditions for Schools and organised groups

From a Duke of Edinburgh's Award Approved Activity Provider

Our Packages can include:

2 days training:

Our training sessions can either be run as an additional 1 or 2 day program, added on to the start of the practice expedition or accessed in part via e-learning. For all Gold expeditions, one of the training days is a refresher day/ build up day at the start of the qualifying expedition to ensure that the necessary skills and techniques are fresh in the participants’ minds, and allow our assessors to see that the team are safe and proficient in the mode of transport. The training days will involve covering the DofE training framework and providing route planning support- teams will be given time to start planning their qualifying expedition routes, to be completed either during the practice expedition or in school. They can have use of our Toughbook laptops to plan their routes in our mobile classrooms, and the laptops can be made available to the school on request for participants to finish their routes. We can also offer a range of first aid training options, including nationally recognised certified courses for participants aged 16 or over. 

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Practice expedition:

The practice expedition should be in a similar environment to the qualifier, and we can work with you to identify the most suitable area for your expeditions. Teams will be provided with printed maps and route cards, with their intended routes clearly shown on the maps. Supervisors will provide support and additional training where necessary during the practice expedition to help teams reach the required standard for assessment. Our teams are usually accompanied for the start of the practice, to allow our staff time to help refine the team's skills and ensure they have the knowledge and abilities to keep each other safe before being left to be self sufficient. 

Qualifying expedition:

We provide accredited Assessors alongside our supervisory staff to support teams in the completion of the expedition section of the award. Routes are planned by the teams as part of their preparation for their qualifying expedition, and will be checked by ourselves for safety and suitability prior to the expedition commencing.

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Equipment hire included :

All tents, Trangia stoves and gas, 2x hi-vis jackets per team, map cases, maps and route cards, safety packs, first aid kits.

Food is not included in this package; students must provide their own meals and any personal kit. all campsite fees are included. Students are expected to make their own way to the expedition area; we can use start and finish points big enough for parent drop offs for large groups or school minibus/ coach hire. 

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Staff are welcome to make use of our staff room tent, with cooking facilities and free tea and coffee.

Safety and backup :

The most important question we’re asked is “what safety procedures do you have in place?” and our clients, parents and participants have always been satisfied with the answer.

First aid :

• Minimum of 16hr first aid qualification for all staff, specific to the outdoors.

• Teams receive basic first aid training as part of the package.

• Course leader with in- depth first aid knowledge and experience and a comprehensive first aid kit and defibrillator available on all courses, able to deploy to any team as needed. Pete and Claire have both volunteered for the ambulance service for a number of years, attending 999 calls in the local community. This has given us experience in dealing with a broad range of health issues and injuries first hand, allowing us to deal with any situations arising in a calm manner. If you have any participants with specific medical issues that cause concern in their abilities to complete the expedition section under normal circumstances, please talk to us; we may be able to put additional support or variations in place. 

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Communications :

• Emergency contact numbers across two mobile networks to boost chances of receiving messages and/ or calls.

• Staff carry radios for enhanced communication option.

• Silver and Gold teams also carry radios and GPS units in a sealed box for emergency use. All teams are given training on emergency procedures, including use of the box at Silver and Gold, and use of a safety pack at Bronze.

• Qualified Instructors suited to the environment, including Mountain Leaders and/ or canoe coaches, on the ground, meeting groups throughout the expedition to ensure the safety and welfare of each team.