Silver DofE Overview

Our programme covers all the contents of the DofE Silver framework and the expedition meets the 20 Conditions required by DofE.

At the Silver Level of DofE Expedition the expectations on your skills and knowledge are higher.  You may have completed your Bronze Level DofE Expedition or you may be a direct entry to this level, the fundamentals process is the same. The Training and Practice we be structured to help develop the relevant skills and knowledge for the Expedition. At the Silver Level, the most common mode of travel is walking however, we can offer you Walking / Hiking, Kayak or Canoe.

Timescale

It will take you at least 6 months for Silver if you’ve already achieved your Bronze, or 12 months if you’ve jumped straight into Silver.

– Volunteering section: 6 months
– Physical and Skills sections: One section for 6 months and the other section for 3 months
– Expedition section: 3 days/2 nights

If you didn’t do Bronze, you must undertake a further 6 months in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.

Expedition Details

Expedition
3 day / 2 night

FOR AGES
14+

TEAM OF 5-7

The Bronze Award is an introduction to Teamwork and Expedition skills. Candidates will be introduced to:

  • Planning a route on a map for a 2 day journey in easy, rural countryside.
  • Preparing themselves by choosing appropriate food, clothing and equipment. Then packing the rucksack themselves.
  • Bonding & learning as a team on the Training Expedition. (how to navigate, journey, camp, cook and support each other)
  • Performing as a team. The team undertake a Qualifying Expedition which they must do unaccompanied by adults. (But be remotely supervised).

Stage 1: Planning

During the training days you will work as a team with our qualified and very experienced Instructors to learn and develop your core skills in:

  • Navigation
  • Route Planning
  • First Aid
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Camp Craft
  • Expedition Cooking and Nutrition
  • Teamwork
  • Country Code / Leave no trace
  • Health and Safety
  • Kit (this will be specific to the mode of travel)

Stage 2: Training Expedition (3 day)

Each team has their own trainer, who spends 2 days helping the team learn and will cover the following topics:

  • Kit check / food check / rucksack packing
  • Using a map and compass. What to do when you get lost.
  • Putting up tents
  • Safe cooking

On day one, the trainers spend most of the day with the team. On arriving at camp, their trainer will supervise the camping and cooking activities to ensure safety. Across the next two days, the trainer will have the team design a route that they will take, remotely supervised by that trainer. The trainer will ‘shadow’ the team and give extra coaching when necessary. At the end of the expedition, the trainer holds a Feedback session, where the individuals identify what they need to change or improve upon before their Qualifying Expedition.

Stage 3: Qualifying Expedition ( 3 day)

The team must undertake a 3 day expedition along the route that they planned on the planning day. They must undertake the expedition unaccompanied by adults and deal with being lost or having minor issues.  They must pack and carry everything they need to be able to camp and cope with the weather forecast.

The team meet their assessor who does a full expedition check before the team are allowed to start walking:

  • Full kit checks
  • Distribution of items from our team equipment box (tents, cookers, fuel, emergency equipment)
  • Maps & Routes checked
  • Supervision plan discussed

The qualifying expedition will involve being observed using remote supervision and will be assessed by one of our DofE accredited assessors.  

Following the expedition, the assessor will fully debrief the team. They will produce a full report for each participant.  

Our assessors never try to catch anyone out – this is an introductory level to Expedition and teamwork.  We want all participants to have a challenging but enjoyable experience, that encourages them to develop a lifelong relationship with the outdoors.

What’s Included in with the Silver Level Expedition?

  • Venues
  • Start and finish points
  • Campsite locations and details
  • Expedition pack (All expedition information regarding logistic, locations, times, kit list suggestions, food examples).
  • Personal Team Kit (See below)
  • Travel mode specific equipment (As required, see below)
  • Campsite fees.
  • Expedition administration and paperwork.
  • DofE accredited assessor reports.
  • Fully Qualified and experience instructors.

Personal Team Kit

  • Tents
  • Trangias (and fuel)
  • Group Shelters
  • Navigation Equipment (Maps & Compass)
  • First Aid Kit
  • Emergency Procedure Guidelines

Specific Travel Mode Kit

  • Canoes / Kayaks or SUP
  • Paddles
  • Buoyancy Aids
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