Silver Expeditions

Please note this page is for groups – we don’t run ‘Open’ Silver expeditions for individuals.

The Silver Expedition is a three day expedition, with two nights spent camping. There should be seven hours minimum of activity planned each day, with at least three and a half of these hours journeying. This replaces the old distance requirements for expeditions, but is in reality approximately the same.

The format is as described on our DofE Programmes outline page with a training programme, followed by the expedition elements.

                                                                Kit – a DofE kit list can be found here: on the DofE website: https://www.dofe.org/shopping/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/DofE-Expedition-Kit-List-Jan-22.pdf

Locations

TrekCo organise DofE Silver Expeditions for the DofE in two main areas: Sussex and the southern part of the Peak District. The northern Peak District is wild moorland and classed as ‘Wild Country’ and therefore suitable for Gold Expeditions, whereas the southern or White Peak is much more gentle farmland and is very suitable for Silver Expeditions.

We are also able to run Silver Expeditions in many other locations.

If your group did not undertake Bronze in Sussex with us and you decide to use the Ashdown Forest area, we have the advantage of:

Programme Costs

Guide price: £275 + vat per participant

This includes:

• One day of pre expedition training at Deers Leap or Blackland Farm
• Training expedition – three days, two nights
• Qualifying Expedition – three days, two nights
• Free use of group equipment – tents, stoves, maps, compasses, emergency shelters
• Free use of reserve equipment for individual participants where requested by the school – rucksacks, sleeping bags, waterproofs
• Campsite fees for two nights on each of the practice and qualifying expeditions

Not included:

• Food
• Transport
• Insurance (other than Public Liability Cover) – but you should have cover as a DofE Participant from the DofE

Optional Extras:

• Arrive the night before; meet you on site, campsite fee, duty instructor – £15 + vat per participant
• Extra training – approximately £40 + vat per day per participant

Alternatives:

If you only need a part of the programme, please call us on 01273 487509. For example, if the group has completed training and a practice expedition and then the supervising member of staff has moved schools, you may only need the assessment.

A guide price is £45 + vat per day. There can be several combinations, so please get in touch.

Notes:

1. In general participants are expected, as an inherent part of the programme, to provide their own personal equipment. We recognise that for some the purchase of this equipment would be prohibitive, and may perhaps only be used once (or have a perceived single use in the short term). To this end we provide free equipment on the understanding that it will be replaced in the event of loss or damage. Please talk to us about this as soon as possible – there may be other groups requesting this at the same time. In any event we would usually not lend equipment without prior request, as this would indicate insufficient preparation, and preparation is a key part of the expedition.

2.  DofE participants are expected as a part of the programme to select and prepare their own food.

3. Insurance – we hold £10m Public Liability Insurance. School journey or travel type insurance is not included; your LEA or other body will require that insurance be taken out. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award do provide a limited accident cover for participants and leaders – please see their website’s insurance details here.

Please contact us to talk about your potential Silver Expedition – call 01273 487509 or email: info@trekco.com