Day 1 is a training day. We will meet you at a campsite, we kick things off with a kit check, to ensure you are equipped with all necessary equipment, then you will set up camp. We will spend a few minutes just discussing campsite choice for the next few days and make sure you all know how to set up your tents. We will then spend the rest of the day out on the hill, putting your navigation skills to the test. Once back on camp in the evening we will discuss a few bits about first aid and emergency action plans ETC. This training day is designed to completely prepare you for the challenge that is a completely independent Gold Expedition.

Day 2, 3 and 4 is your official Practice Expedition. We will set you off on one of our tried and tested routes. Our practice routes have all be specifically chosen to be challenging enough to help develop the skills learnt on your practice day, without being overwhelming. We will ensure you are safe and happy throughout with multiple checkpoints. On completion of the practice Expedition, your Instructor Team will give you and your team a full debrief, ensuring any questions or worries are sorted and you are fully prepared to take on the challenge of your Qualifying Expedition.

Day 1 is a ‘Familiarisation’ day, this day is spent checking kit, getting to know your team and instructors and a final chance to tune up any skills, while also settling in to your environment for the next few days.  

Day 2 marks the start of your official 4 day and 3 night qualifying Expedition. This Expedition will be 100% self-sufficient. You will have pre-arranged checkpoints with your supervisors each day, apart from those checkpoints, you and your team will operate be completely independently.

On completion of the qualifying Expedition, you and your team will deliver your Expedition Aim Presentation to your Assessor who will then sit down with you and your team and run through a full debrief. After your Expedition, your Assessor will send each member of the group a completed copy of the Jurassic Watersports Assessors report, as well as uploading a copy direct to your EDofE account.

Book both your Practice and Qualifying Expeditions at the same time, for selected dates and receive a special discounted package price!

By booking package dates, we can usually ensure that you complete both your qualifying and practice Expeditions with the same group members, which is far from guaranteed with most open Expeditions. A huge problem with the DofE Award is the drop out rate, the number of participants that fail to complete an award level. One of the biggest contributing factors to student drop out is the loss of motivation between the two Expeditions. By booking the two together you give yourself a target to aim for, making sure you go through with the award. We also try to book package dates so that the two Expeditions are as close together as possible, also ensuring minimal skill drop between expeds!

Our Canoeing Expeditions run almost exactly the same as our Walking Expeds. Our focus is still 100% on providing a completely stress free and relaxed Expedition experience. The only differences are:

Practice Expedition – Our Canoeing Expedition training days focus almost entirely on water rescue training and paddle techniques. These training days are 90%practical, on the water, (and some in the water!) with your instructor running you through various rescues and developing your long-distance paddle techniques.

Qualifying Expedition – Your familiarisation day is more of a skills assessment day. We will again run through all rescues and paddle techniques to ensure each Team member is sufficiently competent to safely execute their expedition.