Expedition

Expedition & Training Dates

The training and expedition dates are now out. Click on the link below to find out when they will be and get them in your diary now.

2023-24 DofE Session Dates

2023-24 DofE Walks & Expedition Dates

The Aim

The aim of the Expedition section is for an individual to undertake a challenging (no motorised) journey with a particular aim, with a group of 4 to 7 people. The group should be self-sufficient and participants can expect to develop resilience, independence, teamwork, among many other skills.

Bronze

For your Bronze Award, you must undertake your chosen expedition activity for a minimum of 2 days, 1 night, with 6 hours planned activity each day.

Silver

For your Silveer Award, you must undertake your chosen expedition activity for a minimum of 3 days, 2 nights, with 7 hours planned activity each day.

20 Conditions of the Expedition

Gold

For your Gold Award, you must undertake your chosen expedition activity for a minimum of 4 days, 3 nights, with 8 hours planned activity each day.

What type of activity?

Each expedition must have an aim in addition to completing the journey. The could be history based e.g. photographing Roman sites on Hadrian's wall, evironment based e.g. understanding the impacts of tourisum on florna and forna, or teamwork based e.g. study the team dynamic over the period of the expedition.

Expedition Aim Ideas

What type of accomodation?

Accommodation must be by camping or other simple self-catering accommodation (e.g. camping barns or bunkhouses). For the Gold award, the expectation would be to camp.

What type of expedition?

The expedition must be by the participants’ own physical effort, without motorised or outside assistance. Common forms of expedition are; walking, cycling, kayaking/canoeing, sailing or horse riding. The expedition should take place in an appropriate environment to the level of award e.g. the Gold award expedition should take place in 'wild country' (remote from habitation and unfamiliar to the group).

Who with?

There must be between four and seven participants in a team (eight for modes of travel which have tandem). All participants must be within the qualifying age of the programme level and at the same Award level (i.e. not have completed the same or higher level of expedition). The team must plan and organise the expedition; all members of the team should be able to describe the role they have played in planning. There will also be an expedition supervisor who is the adult responsible for supervising the expedition and an expedition assessor.

The Sheffield College DofE 2022

DofE 21_22

The Sheffield College DofE 2023

DofE 22_23

Where do to it?

As a student at The Sheffield College, you have three main options;

1) The Sheffield College - Wales Expedition

The Sheffield College runs a walking expedition in Wales each Summer. This normally takes place in July with a practice expedition in June in the Peak District and training walks prior to this. Although the College runs this expedition, the participants will need to plan the routes, accommodation, food and equipment. To Find out more about this years expedition, please email dofe@sheffcol.ac.uk.

2) Choice your own

If you would like to undertake a different type of activity such as cycling or kayaking, then the College DofE team will work with you to support you a much as they can. All expeditions but meet the 20 Conditions criteria.

3) Find an expedition provider

There are a number of companies and organisations who provide expeditions for anyone to join. This could be done as a team or an individual. To find an approved expedition provider, please visit the DofE Opportunity Finder.