Expedition

This is the start of an adventure. At St Clement Danes we offer mainly walking expeditions but in theory you can use a range of mode of transport. To find out more visit the DofE website or search the Approved Activity providers to find your own expedition.

Expedition MUST all have an aim here are some ideas.

Decorate a white t-shirt, using inspiration from the scenery that you see along your route. 

Make a video diary of your team’s experiences, from camping and cooking to reaching your destination. 

Plan a route near a castle and explore how old it is and who occupied it in the past. 

Consider the impact of vehicles on the environment along your route. 

Record your different emotions over the expedition and relate them to the physical challenge. 

At Bronze we will set their aim in the past years we have used "Create a song, poem, rap or drama sketch to encapsulate the spirit of DoE inspired by your journey" and "Record the weather at each checkpoint". The latter is then used in Geography lessons back at school.

Duke of Edinburgh Dates 2024-2025

ALL

September Tuesday 5th November 2024 – Celebration event – Certificates will be handed out here

Staff

Staff and Volunteer welcome meeting -  TBC

Staff training day – TBC

Bronze

Year 9 Bronze Training expedition 1 – 21st  – 22nd March 2025

Year 9 Bronze Training expedition 2 – 23rd  – 24th March 2025

Preparation evening - TBC

Year 9 Bronze Qualifying 1 – 20th -21st June 2025

Year 9 Bronze Qualifying 2 – 19th -25th September 2025

Silver

Year 10 Silver route planning Saturday 1st February 2025 - 9.30am - 4pm (followed by parent meeting)

Year 10 Silver practice expedition – 2nd - 4th May 2025

Year 10 Silver Qualifying 20th - 22nd July 2025

Gold

Year 12 Gold Training Session 10th October 2:50-4pm

Year 12 Gold Training session -TBC - after school - Cooking!

Year 12 Gold Training Day 8th February 2025 - 9.30 - 4pm

Year 12 Gold practice expedition - 26th - 20th May 2025  (Location Lake District)

Year 12 Gold practice planning day - 24th June 12.30pm - 3.30pm 

Year 12 Gold route planning day - Wednesday after school dates TBC

Year 12 Gold Qualifying 17th -23rd/24th July TBC (Location Norway)

At Gold we try to give you as much choice over your expedition as possible we work with a number of Approved Activity Providers to give you a choice.

Walking is by far our most popular mode of transport but we have had students complete their expedition on horseback, kayaking and sailing. Please speak to Mrs Kirby about what mode of transport you would like and she will be able to support you find the right expedition.

At Gold the walking expedition must take place in "wild" country and students are also give the opportunity to "wild" camp. This means walking up to the remote hills and mountains and pitching your tent in a suitable location, usually close to a water source. Students have to be prepared to dig their own toilet and collect water from the streams. The added bonus is that the following day there is less uphill climbing as the climbing was completed the day before.

Here are some of the feedback from students who have wild camped:

"Loved it, very fun to laugh with friends and experience camping away from anyone else"

"It was really fun, I enjoyed the freedom of it and the views were amazing, I would definitely recommend it to other people. The walk up there had us regretting it but the camp made it worth it."

"Fab but the walk there was horrendously boggy. It was nice to see the stars"