Harrodian's Duke of Edinburgh Award participants prepared for forthcoming Bronze and Gold expeditions with a special training day earlier this month.
Pupils from the 13s (Year 9) and Lower Sixth braved wet and windy weather for the expedition preparation sessions run by Activ Adventures that took place at Harrodian. 90 pupils from the 13s came into school on Saturday 5th March for their Bronze training, as did 13 of our Lower Sixth who were participating in their Gold training. They all took part in first aid training and sessions that covered topics ranging from map reading and caring for the environment to kit and equipment care (learning to use a Trangia) and pitching tents.
It was a productive day that laid the foundations for their upcoming practice expeditions. Our Golds will be canoeing on the River Severn during the Easter holidays and our Bronze participants will be hiking in the Surrey Hills in mid-May. Those taking Silver will have the chance to hone their skills at a training day set to take place after the Easter holidays in preparation for a canoeing expedition later in the summer term.
Mr Guy Holder, Harrodian's Duke of Edinburgh Supervisor is delighted '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.'
Activ Adventures will be emailing parents with final logistical details soon. In the meantime, please visit this link for general expedition information:
Well done to all pupils who took part. Further details of DofE at Harrodian can be found here:
https://www.harrodian.com/senior-6th-form/beyond-curriculum/duke-edinburgh-award