DofE Expeditions Relaunch
Sunday 25th April saw the very first outdoor expedition training walk for Cowes Enterprise College students undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The weather was perfect and all students navigated to the finish.
Five bronze expedition groups followed a circular route from Freshwater Bay to the Needles. The main aims of this training session were to establish a group walking pace, correctly follow a route and not rely on local knowledge or previous walks completed that did not follow the route. There was time at the end of the walk to reflect and agree expedition aims for the assessed expedition. Students had lots of cheer and motivation of this walk which kept everyone going to the finish. This is especially impressive as hill walking is not something many students had been able to do during the lockdown and restricted periods.
Three silver / bronze legacy groups navigated a walk where they were independently walking a route around Freshwater. These students have worked solidly over lockdown to get their physical, skill and volunteering sections completed so it was great to finally get back to some out expedition activities with these students. These students meet again for their assessed expedition in June.
Student quotes from the walks include:
“I enjoyed how independent it was as we walked by ourselves. The others in my group kept motivated by singing … I hope they don’t do this for three days on the expedition!”
“I liked not walking with the teachers. It was nice to spend time with my friends walking. We followed the route we were given”
“It was fun because we had to read a map and navigate. We are really smart and didn’t make any mistakes”
“Can we do that again?”
The next Duke of Edinburgh event is the Bronze practice day on Sunday 23rd May 9-5. Each group will be walking their own pre-planned routes with staff doing welfare checks throughout the day. Mrs Rouse will be in touch with more details about this.
