FAQ's & Participant Opinions
Is it dangerous?
Is it dangerous?
The element of risk is kept to an absolute minimum as we take the health and safety of participants very seriously.
The element of risk is kept to an absolute minimum as we take the health and safety of participants very seriously.
All expeditions are at all times run and supervised by suitably qualified staff.
All expeditions are at all times run and supervised by suitably qualified staff.
In addition to this participants are FULLY TRAINED trained in all aspect before we allow them to take part in an expedition.
In addition to this participants are FULLY TRAINED trained in all aspect before we allow them to take part in an expedition.
Is it possible to concentrate on my studies and do the Award?
Is it possible to concentrate on my studies and do the Award?
The Award takes time and commitment. This cannot be denied (otherwise it will be worthless).
The Award takes time and commitment. This cannot be denied (otherwise it will be worthless).
You will be required to manage your time effectively but, throughout the years more than a thousand of NES students have successfully completed their Award(s), and managed to be successful in their studies.
You will be required to manage your time effectively but, throughout the years more than a thousand of NES students have successfully completed their Award(s), and managed to be successful in their studies.
The fact is that not all learning takes place inside the classroom, it is essential that you have experiences away from your text books.
The fact is that not all learning takes place inside the classroom, it is essential that you have experiences away from your text books.
The following are tips from students who have completed the Silver or Gold Award on balancing studies with doing the Award:
The following are tips from students who have completed the Silver or Gold Award on balancing studies with doing the Award:
- Most of the activities I did were my regulars so it was really good because I was used to it. Also all my activities outside school were walk-able distances from home... so that greatly reduced time taken for travel and all.
- When you choose sections you thoroughly enjoy it becomes easy.
- Always had lots of CCAs so it was the same as usual.
- I set a schedule for my school work and for my requirements for Silver award.
- I chose to do clubs in school times so that I would keep my time after school for school work and studies. Also the expeditions are in January and February...after the mid-year exams and way before the final exams.
- Wasn't hard as 3 hours per week isn't a lot.
- Choose your activities carefully. You need to choose activities that you like doing in order to have the motivation to keep going and also choose the timings of activities carefully to balance the time between studying and completing the Award.
- Its going to be difficult and sometimes you'll regret signing up but its seriously worth it in the end.
- Easily, it was stuff I already do regularly.
Section time1.mp4Can I do the Silver without completing Bronze?
Can I do the Silver without completing Bronze?
No, not at NES. You first need to complete your Bronze Award which is open to anybody older than 13.75 years of age.
No, not at NES. You first need to complete your Bronze Award which is open to anybody older than 13.75 years of age.
We make EVERY effort to accommodate everybody interested in participating in the Bronze Award. DO NOT miss out on the opportunity!
We make EVERY effort to accommodate everybody interested in participating in the Bronze Award. DO NOT miss out on the opportunity!
Can I do the Silver Award in Year 12?
Can I do the Silver Award in Year 12?
Maybe. Year 11s have first option, so if you miss the opportunity in Year 11, we may not have space for you in Year 12 (we only accept 42 students onto the Silver Award). Also, your Award will, for various reasons, cost more than what Year 11s are paying.
Maybe. Year 11s have first option, so if you miss the opportunity in Year 11, we may not have space for you in Year 12 (we only accept 42 students onto the Silver Award). Also, your Award will, for various reasons, cost more than what Year 11s are paying.
What do other participants say about the Award?
What do other participants say about the Award?
All the (anonymous) responses below were collected in an online survey.
It's truly a one of a kind experience that you won't be offered again. It's also very fun!
It's truly a one of a kind experience that you won't be offered again. It's also very fun!
Manage your time, and do not miss out, no matter WHAT.
Manage your time, and do not miss out, no matter WHAT.
It looks really good on my transcript and I wanted to create long lasting memories with friends.
It looks really good on my transcript and I wanted to create long lasting memories with friends.
It is the best experience ever, with friends on a vacation doing fun things together before, after and during the adventurous journey. Just creates a huge bond with your friends and people you did not know, especially with your teachers.
It is the best experience ever, with friends on a vacation doing fun things together before, after and during the adventurous journey. Just creates a huge bond with your friends and people you did not know, especially with your teachers.
It's an amazing experience to go on a journey that you will remember. It will change you for the better.
It's an amazing experience to go on a journey that you will remember. It will change you for the better.
The award is a life changing experience which can benefit it's participants and can teach them useful skills they can use in all aspects of their daily life.
The award is a life changing experience which can benefit it's participants and can teach them useful skills they can use in all aspects of their daily life.
Its a good experience to take part in and helps develop skills and situations you may need in the future.
Its a good experience to take part in and helps develop skills and situations you may need in the future.
Although silver (the expedition) was mentally and physically challenging, I became a lot closer with so many people that without the Award would probably never have talked to. I also think it allows you to meet people and learn new things through the skills, service and physical sections that will benefit you in the future or just be something you find you enjoy doing.
Although silver (the expedition) was mentally and physically challenging, I became a lot closer with so many people that without the Award would probably never have talked to. I also think it allows you to meet people and learn new things through the skills, service and physical sections that will benefit you in the future or just be something you find you enjoy doing.
The Award overall was such a fun experience and all the activities that i took part in were worth all my time, they have taught me so much! The award will definitely teach you things that you didn't know before which is great!
The Award overall was such a fun experience and all the activities that i took part in were worth all my time, they have taught me so much! The award will definitely teach you things that you didn't know before which is great!
Wear 2000 layers in the Wafrah Practice expedition.
Wear 2000 layers in the Wafrah Practice expedition.
Take lots of pictures, you'll want every last one of them to remember your journey.
Take lots of pictures, you'll want every last one of them to remember your journey.
What new skills and interests have you developed through the Award?
What new skills and interests have you developed through the Award?
All the (anonymous) responses below were collected in an online survey.
Teamwork, painting, helping others.
Teamwork, painting, helping others.
Learned a new instrument, got more fit physically.
Learned a new instrument, got more fit physically.
Improved debating and public speaking skills through my school's MUN programme.
Improved debating and public speaking skills through my school's MUN programme.
Photography, my skill, has become one of my favourite things to do in my free time.
Photography, my skill, has become one of my favourite things to do in my free time.
Teamwork, leadership, problem solving, effective communication, time management, using resources efficiently and effectively and developed an interest in hiking.
Teamwork, leadership, problem solving, effective communication, time management, using resources efficiently and effectively and developed an interest in hiking.
The Award over all has taught me so many things, such as teamwork and survival skills. Also, during the Award I had to complete sections which taught me so much as an individual.
The Award over all has taught me so many things, such as teamwork and survival skills. Also, during the Award I had to complete sections which taught me so much as an individual.
I have become more independent and have learnt how to think on the spot and make better decisions in tough situations.
I have become more independent and have learnt how to think on the spot and make better decisions in tough situations.
I have learnt that teamwork is such an important thing. I also learnt that being first isn't everything, it is better to slow it down and actually enjoy the experience rather than worry about winning.
I have learnt that teamwork is such an important thing. I also learnt that being first isn't everything, it is better to slow it down and actually enjoy the experience rather than worry about winning.
I believe it made me more acceptable of people's opinions more as well as more responsible and dependent and gave me friends and an experience that would last a lifetime.
I believe it made me more acceptable of people's opinions more as well as more responsible and dependent and gave me friends and an experience that would last a lifetime.
I now feel capable of completing anything as being in the award has increased by confidence and capability of completing hard enduring tasks.
I now feel capable of completing anything as being in the award has increased by confidence and capability of completing hard enduring tasks.
By joining many numerous activities, I've learned how to do new things that I never knew I could before, it's made a much more organized person. By doing the physical activity I have become much healthier altogether and have become more optimistic of the future.
By joining many numerous activities, I've learned how to do new things that I never knew I could before, it's made a much more organized person. By doing the physical activity I have become much healthier altogether and have become more optimistic of the future.
What was the highlight of the Award?
What was the highlight of the Award?
All the (anonymous) responses below were collected in an online survey.
The adventurous journey. The entire trip to Cyprus, including the stay in the hotel.
The adventurous journey. The entire trip to Cyprus, including the stay in the hotel.
Feeling of a new sense of freedom and independence. Lots learnt in terms of effectively socialising with people around. Overall, you get to understand yourself better and make improvements!
Feeling of a new sense of freedom and independence. Lots learnt in terms of effectively socialising with people around. Overall, you get to understand yourself better and make improvements!
The expeditions for sure. While both the practice and qualifying were difficult, they were both unique and memorable experiences and were worth the effort made in the months prior and after the expeditions.
The expeditions for sure. While both the practice and qualifying were difficult, they were both unique and memorable experiences and were worth the effort made in the months prior and after the expeditions.
Definitely camping in our second night, getting there early and enjoying what an actual camp with forest trees feels like.
Definitely camping in our second night, getting there early and enjoying what an actual camp with forest trees feels like.
Being able to improve in an activity you're passionate about and experiencing a new environment with your friends/teammates.
Being able to improve in an activity you're passionate about and experiencing a new environment with your friends/teammates.
The qualifying expedition and the unforgettable memories forged during this time are absolute highlights!
The qualifying expedition and the unforgettable memories forged during this time are absolute highlights!
What was the worse memory of the Award?
What was the worse memory of the Award?
All the (anonymous) responses below were collected in an online survey.
Dragging myself up the steep hills. Never been in so much pain. (Also our practice journey, I'm scarred from the cold).
Dragging myself up the steep hills. Never been in so much pain. (Also our practice journey, I'm scarred from the cold).
It would have to be the first night we spent in Wafra. My sleeping bag ripped and so I couldn't sleep in the unbearable cold weather, not to mention having to get up and walk 20km and navigate the way with no sleep :)
It would have to be the first night we spent in Wafra. My sleeping bag ripped and so I couldn't sleep in the unbearable cold weather, not to mention having to get up and walk 20km and navigate the way with no sleep :)
Please let us carry around music!! It would most certainly help us lighten up when things start heating up during the trip... I had to sing to myself and got zipped up several times.. :(
Please let us carry around music!! It would most certainly help us lighten up when things start heating up during the trip... I had to sing to myself and got zipped up several times.. :(
It was perfect as I remember it. Well forcing us to socialize was a bit annoying (No phones at dinner etc), but I know there are good intentions and outcomes behind that.
It was perfect as I remember it. Well forcing us to socialize was a bit annoying (No phones at dinner etc), but I know there are good intentions and outcomes behind that.
Getting stuck in mud and getting lost.
Getting stuck in mud and getting lost.
Getting lost and feeling so drained, it really pushed me to my limits.
Getting lost and feeling so drained, it really pushed me to my limits.
INCLINES INCLINES INCLINES.
INCLINES INCLINES INCLINES.