Open Expeditions

Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Open Expeditions

In addition to delivering bespoke Group Expedition programmes for schools and youth groups, we offer Open Expeditions for individuals or small groups at the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels of the Award.

Open Expeditions are aimed at candidates up to 25 years old who have already completed their training, but have not completed their Practice or Qualifying Expeditions. As with our Group Expeditions, Bronze Qualifying Expeditions have a duration of two days and one night, Silver Open Qualifying Expeditions have a duration of three days and two nights, and Gold Open Expeditions last four days and three nights. Participants in our Open Expeditions can count on exactly the same high standards as our Group Expeditions, with inclusive hire of top quality equipment, training and supervision by our highly experienced and qualified instructors and the services of a DofE Accredited Assessor.

Bronze Open Expedition

Our next Bronze open Expedition will take place in the Peak District National Park/Nottinghamshire from :

Option 1: 23rd - 25th October 2023

This will be an intensive three-day event which will encompass the entire award for candidates who have not been able to take part at their own DofE Centre.

The programme will include all required training and planning sessions, followed by an assessed Qualifying Expedition.

The cost for this full Bronze DofE Expedition package is £170.00 per candidate.

For further information please contact us.

Silver Open Expedition

Our next Silver Open Expedition will take place in the Peak District National Park from:

Training & Practice: 13th-15th Oct 2023

Qualifying: 23rd - 25th Oct 2023

We offer a training and practice option, this will be an intensive three-day event which will encompass both the Training & Practice elements of the award and also the three-day Qualifying Expedition only assessed for candidates who have not been able to take part at their own DofE Centre.

The cost for the training and practice DofE Expedition package is £160.00 & the Silver Qualifying Expedition package is £160.00 per candidate.

For further information please contact us.

Gold Open Expedition

Our next Gold Open Expedition will take place in either the Lake District National Park or within the Peak District National Park.

Gold Qualifying

Gold Training: 7th & 8th Oct 2023

Practice: 13th - 15th Oct 2023

Gold Qual: 23rd - 27th October 2023

The qualifying will be a five-day event which will encompass acclimatisation, any additional training requirements and expedition planning , followed by an assessed Qualifying Expedition. This will be based on the challenging terrain of the famous Helvellyn mountain range, and will include wild camping in remote locations. (expedition area subject to change)

The five - day training and practice will be based in the Peak District National Park, this will prepare candidates with all of the team and independent skills they will need to access the qualifying expedition. (Please contact us if you need to undertake either element of this)

The cost for the Training & Practice is £250.00 & the Gold DofE Qualifying Expedition is £250.00 per candidate.

For further information please contact us.

Open Expeditions: General Information

Open Expeditions are DofE expeditions that are made available to all DofE participants to join as an individual or as a small group.

To be classed as an Open Expedition, the expedition must:

• have been openly advertised in a way that participants from a number of different centres will have seen the opportunity.

• include a direct contract between the participants and the expedition provider, rather than being through a Centre or Licensed Organisation.

• include participants from more than one centre.

At Gold level, we offer Open Expeditions using the following modes of transport:

• Walking

• Canoeing

Occasionally we offer Open Walking Expeditions at the Bronze level of the Award, usually during the October half-term holiday. These are aimed at individuals who might not have been able to complete their Qualifying Expedition with their school or youth group. If this applies to you, please contact us for details.

All PE Open Expeditions include:

• Pre-Expedition Information Booklet, including personal kit list and joining instructions

• Inclusive hire of high quality group equipment – tents, stoves, safety equipment, maps and map cases

• Completion of all DofE Notification Forms

• Training and supervision from our experienced and qualified leaders

• Accredited DofE Assessors for all Qualifying Expeditions

• Pre-expedition base and all camp site fees

• Some of our Qualifying Expeditions may also offer an additional overnight stay at a Youth Hostel or bunkhouse on a B&B basis (additional fee applies). This may be useful if you have a long way to travel after your expedition.

For further information, please contact us.