QUALIFYING EXPEDITIONS
DofE QUALIFYING EXPEDITIONS
The DofE qualifying expedition is the culmination of all the preparation, training and practice that participants have put into their expedition journey.
It’s an opportunity for young people to demonstrate their navigation, teamwork, resilience and independence while completing a challenging and rewarding expedition with their team.
At Learn Outdoors, we provide professionally organised and supported qualifying expeditions for Bronze, Silver and Gold DofE, helping schools deliver expeditions that are safe, well planned and enjoyable for everyone involved.
“We really enjoyed the whole DofE experience, from getting marginally lost up a mountain, to volunteering or writing poetry while slightly deranged. it was all an absolute blast. We loved loved it and am so grateful for the things it has taught me.”
— Gold Participant
EXPERIENCED DofE EXPEDITIONS PROFESSIONALS
Learn Outdoors has extensive experience delivering DofE expeditions for schools and groups.
Our instructors have the relevant Mountain Training qualifications and experience to deliver expeditions across a wide range of terrain and environments.
We understand that every school, group and expedition is different, so we work with you to make sure your qualifying expedition is appropriate for your participants and meets the requirements of the Award.
LET US TAKE CARE OF YOUR EXPEDITION
We believe a qualifying expedition should be challenging without being unnecessarily complicated.
Our experienced instructors and expedition teams take care of the organisation, logistics and appropriate supervision, allowing participants and school staff to concentrate on the experience itself.
Depending on your requirements, we can support you with:
✓ Expedition planning and route advice
✓ Qualified expedition instructors
✓ Expedition supervision
✓ DofE-approved expedition assessment
✓ Campsite coordination
✓ Equipment hire
✓ Risk management and expedition logistics
✓ Bronze, Silver and Gold expedition delivery
We can provide as much or as little support as your school needs.
Our instructors provide appropriate supervision and guidance throughout the expedition (we provide trackers on all expeditions to back up this supervision), helping participants develop their skills while allowing them to take increasing responsibility for their own expedition.
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The Bronze qualifying expedition is often a young person's first experience of completing an assessed expedition.
Participants complete a two-day, one-night expedition, working as a team to navigate their route, carry their equipment, prepare meals and camp overnight.
Our Bronze qualifying expeditions provide an appropriate level of challenge while allowing participants to demonstrate the skills and independence they've developed during their training and practice expedition.
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Silver takes participants a step further, with increased distance, duration and independence.
The qualifying expedition typically involves three days and two nights in the outdoors, requiring participants to demonstrate effective navigation, teamwork, campcraft and decision-making over a longer period.
Our experienced team helps create the right environment for participants to demonstrate their abilities and successfully complete their qualifying expedition.
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Gold is the ultimate expedition challenge.
Participants complete their qualifying expedition in appropriate wild country, demonstrating a high level of independence, resilience, navigation and teamwork.
The Gold expedition requires participants to be able to manage themselves and their team in more remote and challenging environments, making it a significant achievement for everyone involved.
A FLEXIBLE SERVICE FOR SCHOOLS
Every school is different.
Some schools want us to deliver their complete DofE expedition programme. Others already have experienced staff and resources in place and simply need additional support with particular elements.
Our approach is therefore modular and flexible.
We can provide:
✓ Training
✓ Route planning guidance
✓ Practice expeditions
✓ Qualifying expeditions
✓Qualified instructors and supervisors
✓Expedition assessors
✓ Campsite coordination
✓ Equipment hire, including tents, stoves and gas
✓ Expedition planning and logistical support
This means you can choose the level of support that works best for your school.
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.