The River Thames outside DLD College London

Expedition Success for Duke of Edinburgh Awards

26th October 20

During half term, 11 DLD students completed a three day ‘Duke of Edinburgh Award’ expedition through the rolling hills of the North Downs. The students involved had all planned an expedition back in April and May which had to be postponed due to the coronavirus lockdown. Determined not to miss out on completing the award, some careful planning and clever adaptations authorized by the DofE award has meant that expeditions have been allowed to go ahead in a way which protected the participant and the public.

Despite some changes to the programme, there was certainly no less of a challenge to the groups; the training day on day 1 involved a steep climb up the notorious Box Hill which certainly got pulses racing and day 2 involved some tricky navigation through thick woodland that resulted in each group taking a detour and extending their routes by a few kms. However, it all came together on day 3, when both groups completed their planned routes in good time without getting lost!

For some students this three day expedition meant the completion of their Bronze or Silver DofE Award, but for six of the students it marks the half way point in the completion of their DofE Gold Award, which they hope to complete in April 2021!

Congratulations to Carmen, Gemma, Wilaiwan, Barclay, Alex, Julian, Carl, Byron, Charlotte, Mille and Alex.