THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AWARD LEVELS
BRONZE vs SILVER vs GOLD DofE EXPEDITIONS FOR SCHOOLS
Schools often ask what the difference is between Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions.
Each level builds on the last, increasing challenge, independence and personal development. Learn Outdoors supports schools at all three levels, helping students progress confidently through the Award.
BRONZE
The Bronze DofE expedition is designed as a young person’s first expedition experience.
Local or accessible environments
Strong emphasis on training and support
Confidence-building and teamwork
A Bronze expedition typically involves:
2 days of walking
1 night camping at an approved campsite
Shorter, achievable daily routes
Close preparation and guidance before the expedition
At Bronze level, the emphasis is on:
Building confidence and self-belief
Learning basic navigation and campcraft skills
Developing teamwork and communication
Understanding personal responsibility in the outdoors
Gradually increasing independence as confidence grows
Bronze expeditions are often completed locally, making them ideal for younger participants and schools new to delivering DofE expeditions.
SILVER
The Silver DofE expedition builds directly on the skills developed at Bronze level and introduces a higher degree of independence and challenge.
A Silver expedition typically involves:
3 days of walking
2 nights camping
Longer routes
Greater responsibility for navigation and decision-making
At Silver level, participants are expected to:
Navigate more complex routes
Manage time, pacing and rest effectively
Make group decisions with less direct guidance
Demonstrate resilience when conditions are more demanding
Silver expeditions strike a balance between challenge and support and are often completed locally or regionally.
A natural progression from Bronze, with increased independence
The Gold DofE expedition is the most challenging and rewarding level of the programme. It requires participants to demonstrate a high level of independence, leadership and commitment in a remote outdoor environment.
A Gold expedition typically involves:
4 days of walking
3 nights camping
Sustained routes across remote or upland terrain
Advanced navigation and expedition planning
At Gold level, participants are expected to:
Take full ownership of route planning and decision-making
Work effectively as a self-sufficient team
Show leadership, resilience and adaptability
Operate confidently in challenging environments
Gold expeditions are usually completed in wilder, more challenging areas and represent a major personal achievement.
The final and most demanding stage of the DofE Award.
GOLD
LIFE, IT’S YOUR ADVENTURE!
If you want to find out more about how we can support you with your Duke of Edinburgh’s expeditions then please get in touch today.
“We’ve used Learn Outdoors as our outdoor education provider now for about 7 or 8 years, mainly to provide our Bronze and Gold DofE expeditions. I can say that I’ve had such a fantastic experience working with Learn Outdoors, I’ve learnt a lot from them and I know my students have learnt a lot and they’ve been very successful on their expeditions."
— Tim, Assistant Principle
Frequently Asked Questions
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The expedition section of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is designed to take participants outside their comfort zone and help them grow through real-world challenges. It’s not just about walking long distances, it’s about learning how to plan, adapt and work as part of a team in an unfamiliar environment.
Participants are responsible for organising their own journey, which includes planning routes, managing time, navigating using maps, preparing food and carrying all their equipment. This level of responsibility builds independence and self-confidence, as you learn to rely on your own decisions rather than constant guidance.
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Proper training is essential for a successful expedition. Learn Outdoors does offer training options.
We can deliver:
Route planning sessions
Map and compass skills
Campcraft (pitching tents, stove use, hygiene)
Kit preparation guidance
Food and menu planning
First aid training
Please contact us to discuss training options with us in more detail or visit our DofE expedition training page here.
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Learn Outdoors can provide tents, stoves and gas. Please see our equipped expedition prices for further details.
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Safety is always our top priority. While participants are expected to experience and manage typical outdoor conditions, routes or plans may be adapted if the weather poses a risk. Trained staff closely monitor conditions to ensure all participants remain safe throughout.