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Assistant Vice Principal for Personal Development Letter Home | Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award - Final Expedition

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award - Final Expedition

Dear families, 

We are writing to you with further information regarding the Duke of Edinburgh bronze award which your child is currently taking part in. The final expedition is taking place on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th June. The purpose of this expedition is to assess the expedition skills that students have been developing during their elective sessions and to complete the expedition section of the award. 

Campsite;

Ashworth Valley Scout Camp, Ashworth Rd, Rochdale OL11 5UP

The campsite is well-equipped with drinking water, pot wash facilities, toilets and shower blocks (separate blocks for boys and girls). Camping facilities have been paid for by the academy. 

Travel arrangements;

Return coach travel has been paid for by the academy to the campsite. Students should be in school as usual by 8.30am on Friday 28th June. We hope to be back at school for 6.30pm on Saturday 29th June, please await confirmation from your child of this time before arranging to pick them up. 

Mobile phone policy;

As part of the expedition requirements, students are not allowed access to mobile phones or map apps to navigate. Students will be required to seal their mobile phones in a plastic bag which will be stored in their backpacks for the duration of the expedition. They will be able to access this in case of an emergency and to contact home during the evening. Staff will be monitoring students during the expedition and if they are found to be using a mobile phone they will be disqualified from the expedition and will not achieve the bronze award. 

 

Staff supervision;

Students will be supervised whilst on the coach and upon arrival at the campsite. Each team will then be set off at intervals on the expedition route. Staff will be stationed at checkpoints along the route to monitor and assist students with their navigation. We will also be contactable for emergencies. Upon return to the campsite, students will be supervised for camp set up, including an evening meal, and will also be staying in neighbouring tents. The same will apply for day two of the expedition. 

 

Kit - provided by the academy;

  • Rucksacks

  • Camping mats

  • Tents

  • Camping stoves

  • Maps

  • Compasses

  • Torches

  • First Aid Kits


 

Kit list - to be provided by families;

Please ensure that your child has the following;

Comfortable and appropriate clothing to wear, for example, tracksuit bottoms or leggings

  • Shorts in warmer weather

  • Shoes which they can walk in for 6 hours per day - sturdy trainers or walking boots are recommended

  • A waterproof jacket

  • Spare layers of clothing in case temperatures cool during the day, for example, additional jumpers or fleeces.

  • A hat if sunny weather/gloves if a cool weekend

  • Sunscreen

  • ​Change of clothes for day 2

  • ​Spare clothes for day 1 evening, for example clean leggings, t shirt and a hoodie

  • ​Underwear and socks

  • ​Nightwear to sleep in

  • Sandals/flip-flops/sliders (optional - for the campsite during the evening)

  • ​Toiletry bag - toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, hairbrush

  • Towels 

  • ​Sleeping bag

  • ​Bin bag - all clothing should be stored in this in rucksacks in case of wet weather or bottle drink spillage

  • Any medication, inhalers, insect repellent, allergy relief tablets etc. needed

 

Food - to be provided by families;

  • ​Packed lunch for day 1

  • ​An evening meal for day 1 - this MUST be a hot meal that can be cooked on a camping stove

  • ​Breakfast for day 2  - this MUST be a hot meal that can be cooked on a camping stove

  • ​Drinks for day 1

  • ​Lunch for day 2

  • ​Refillable bottle for day 2 drinks

  • ​Students may also want tea/coffee/hot chocolate

  • Cutlery to eat and cook with

  • A plate/bowl to eat from - plastic

  • A mug/cup to drink from - plastic

  • ​Matches to light the cooking stoves with (one box per team)

  • Tea towel for drying dishes (two per team)

  • ​Black bags for rubbish disposal (two per team)

  • ​Can opener (one per team)

Important notes on food;

Please note, there will not be an opportunity for students to stop to purchase food/drinks, so your child should bring plenty of food to sustain them for the two days. 

As part of the expedition requirements, students must cook themselves a hot evening meal for day 1 and a hot breakfast for day 2. Typical meals include pasta, rice dishes, stir-fry or noodles for the evening meal. Breakfast may include porridge, oats or baked beans. 

Students may want to work with their friends or their teams to produce a meal together - this is encouraged to speed up cooking time and reduce the washing up!

Please also note that there are no fridge facilities, so any foods students bring to cook with or to eat on day 2 should not need to be stored in a fridge and be appropriate for cooking after being kept in rucksacks. 

We appreciate you taking the time to help your child prepare for their expedition. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at school. 

Regards,
 

Mrs Allsopp-Medley and Mr Haste