SILVER
SILVER DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD EXPEDITIONS FOR SCHOOLS
Learn Outdoors delivers Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) expeditions for schools across England and Wales. As a long-established DofE Approved Activity Provider (AAP), we support schools with Silver DofE training, practice expeditions and qualifying expeditions, ensuring every programme meets DofE requirements while providing appropriate challenge and progression from Bronze level.
FULL SILVER DofE SUPPORT:
We provide complete Silver DofE expedition support for schools, including:
✓ Silver DofE expedition training
✓ Navigation and route planning skills
✓ Expedition planning and risk awareness
✓ Equipment advice and preparation guidance
✓ Campsite bookings and land access coordination
✓ Practice expeditions
✓ Qualifying expeditions
✓ Qualified instructors and supervision
✓ Tracker technology
✓ Accredited DofE assessment and expedition sign-off
All Silver expeditions are delivered in line with current DofE guidance. Discover more about whats included in your DofE expedition.
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Learn Outdoors provides flexible, modular support for your school’s DofE programme, tailored to your experience, resources and budget.
We can deliver your complete expedition programme as an AAP, taking responsibility for planning, training, staffing, supervision, assessment, logistics and insurance. Equipment, including tents, stoves and gas, can also be provided.
Alternatively, schools can lead their own programme, with Learn Outdoors providing support where needed.
SILVER DofE WITH LEARN OUTDOORS
See a Silver DofE expedition with Learn Outdoors in action.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
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“I really enjoyed Bronze DofE and I just thought why not do Silver? If I enjoyed it then why not progress, go further and do more?"
— Silver DofE Participant
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"My favourite part of Silver DofE has been being with my friends for 7 or 8 hours a day, just having fun, being together, building that friendship."
— Silver DofE Participant
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"All safety measures in place. Excellent tutors and Course Director. Venue excellent and pupils taken through all safety procedures with walking activities to cooking."
— School Teacher
USEFUL INFORMATION
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The Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition builds on the skills developed at Bronze level and introduces a higher level of independence, challenge and responsibility.
A typical Silver DofE expedition involves:
3 days of walking as a self-sufficient team
2 nights camping at approved campsites
Longer daily routes with increased navigation demands
Independent decision-making while navigating between checkpoints
Before the assessed expedition, participants complete training and a practice expedition, developing advanced navigation, campcraft, teamwork and leadership skills.
During the qualifying expedition, groups walk independently while being remotely supervised by our experienced instructors, supported by the use of tracker technology, in line with DofE guidance. This structure allows students to take ownership of their expedition while remaining safe and supported.
Learn Outdoors works closely with schools to introduce students to expeditioning in a way that is supportive, confidence-building and age-appropriate, while still meeting the required level of challenge set by the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
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Schools choose Learn Outdoors to run their Silver DofE expeditions because we are a nationally recognised DofE Approved Activity Provider and we offer:
Extensive experience delivering DofE expeditions across the UK
Carefully selected routes suitable for Silver expeditions
Clear progression to Gold expeditions
Fully qualified instructors, course directors and accredited DofE assessors
Dedicated office team to support you before, during and after your expedition
We work in close partnership with school DofE coordinators to ensure every expedition meets both educational and logistical requirements.
To find out more about what sets us apart visit our Why Choose Us page.
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Learn Outdoors regularly delivers Bronze DofE expeditions for schools in:
Surrey
Kent
East Sussex
West Sussex
Hampshire
We deliver DofE expeditions nationwide across England and Wales, chat to us about your school’s DofE requirements.
Bronze DofE expeditions are typically delivered close to a school’s location, particularly for younger participants.
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Schools choose Learn Outdoors for their Silver DofE expeditions because we understand the need to balance increased challenge with strong preparation and support.
We regularly support:
Silver DofE expeditions for secondary schools
Silver DofE expeditions in South East England
Silver DofE expeditions near London for schools seeking manageable travel
Our Silver programmes encourage independence, resilience and confident decision-making.
PROGRESSION BEYOND SILVER
Completing a Silver DofE expedition prepares participants for the increased demands of Gold DofE expeditions.
Many schools choose to progress to Gold DofE expeditions nationally in more remote, challenging environments.
Learn Outdoors supports schools through the full DofE journey.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Yes. While many Silver expeditions take place in the South East for school’s convenience, we can also deliver in other parts of the UK.
Our staff have expedition experience across much of upland UK and can run expeditions in a range of locations.
We work closely with schools to choose a location that provides the right balance of accessibility, challenge and cost.
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Silver is a step up from Bronze and is designed to provide a greater physical and navigational challenge.
Participants will usually:
Walk for around 7 hours per day
Carry a full expedition rucksack
Navigate more independently
Camp for 2 nights on the qualifying expedition
Cover longer distances than at Bronze
We plan routes carefully to ensure they are challenging but achievable. Where necessary, we can make sensible adjustments to suit the needs of individuals.
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If you choose our full expedition package, we organise all campsite bookings and expedition logistics for you.
If a school prefers to manage campsite bookings themselves, we can also provide a more flexible support package.
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Proper training is essential for a successful Silver expedition. Learn Outdoors does offer training options.
We can deliver:
Navigation skills
Mountain safety and hazard awareness
Expedition and route planning
Campcraft and stove safety
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.
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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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Silver expeditions usually run between April and October.
These months offer longer daylight hours and generally more settled weather, although we always plan for changing conditions and prioritise safety at all times.
At Learn Outdoors, we work closely with schools to schedule expeditions around your academic calendar, key school events and exam periods.
We always aim to accommodate your preferred dates wherever possible. Booking early gives you the best chance of securing your first choice and allows plenty of time for planning, training and parent communication.
Our goal is to make the organisation process straightforward, flexible, and stress-free for schools.