On the way to Edinburgh

Posted on: 28/04/2021

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Harrodian's Duke of Edinburgh Award participants warmed up for forthcoming bronze and silver expeditions with a training weekend earlier this month

Pupils from the 13s and 14s (years 9 and 10) enjoyed sunny but chilly conditions for the expedition preparation sessions run by Activ Adventures that took place at Harrodian and on the Thames last weekend. 89 13s (Year 9s) were at school for the bronze training, taking part in first aid training indoors before taking to the playing fields where sessions covered topics ranging from caring for the environment to kit and equipment care and erecting the tent. Meanwhile a group of 20 14s (Year 10s) spent their Silver award training day at the Twickenham Sea Cadets centre at Teddington, where they learnt the essentials required for the canoeing trip they are undertaking this summer, as well as refreshing their expedition skills.

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Canoers will have the chance to hone their skills during a Silver Award practice weekend which will take place on the weekend of the 21st-23rd May before they embark on the qualifying expedition on the weekend of the 26-28th June, which is likely to take place in Oxfordshire.  This year, thanks to Covid, the Bronze training and qualifying expeditions have been concertinaed into a three-day long expedition in the Surrey Hills which will take place on 21st-23rd May.  (For further details see Activ Adventures contact below.)

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Mr Guy Holder, Harrodian's Duke of Edinburgh Supervisor is delighted both that awards 'have survived the challenges of Covid' and 'by the positive response of pupils and the support of parents'. But he's also keen to remind participants that they have plenty more work to do.   'The Expedition is just one of four sections which also includes Physical, Skill and Volunteering so it's vital that pupils continue to work on completing the whole portfolio,' Mr Holder points out. 'They have been given support and guidance which is continuing in our Monday lunchtime DofE club. But the bottom line is that if pupils want to achieve these awards, they have to do a lot of the work for themselves.'

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Activ Adventures will be emailing parents with final logistical details soon. In the meantime, please visit this link for general expedition information:

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