D of E Gold

SugarSpun

He should be doing basic safety training before heading out on a long hike - first aid, basic survival, mountain/wilderness safety and learning how to put up a tent/work a camping stove etc.

This all sounds a bit alarming, TBH. My D of E group was a lot of fun, but we did a lot of safety stuff before we went out off-path hiking and needed it when one girl stepped in a rabbit hole and broke her ankle. The stress sent her into an asthma attack and it was raining and we were miles from anywhere and it was before mobile phones.

I imagine the leader's trying to get the trip in while the weather's still reasonable, but there'll be other opportunities later and he'll have the chance to buy his hiking gear in the sales and to save up for it. In any case, if he doesn't get to wear his boots in before he goes he'll be thoroughly miserable on the hike.

He has till he's 25 to complete all the requirements - don't let him be forced into it before he's ready - and ready can mean "having all the stuff" as well as "doesn't want to share a tent with a bully" or "a bit nervous and unprepared".

jenhug

I would suggest joining WWW.ukcampsite.co.uk they offer excellent advice on kit, and try freecycle for equipment.

Surfbabe

Do not let him go - he has to have proper training before even undertaking the practice hike. I run DofE for our local explorer group and they all have to do the training (map reading, outdoor survival, cooking, route cards etc) before going on any hike.

My son has been doing his DofE since Year 12 and has now done everything except the expetition - he has done all the training but trying to tfit in the actual hike is proving a nightmare with all his studying.

Let him do it in any order he wants and tell the school / 6th form that

Savvy_Sue

I thought the whole point was that they were meant to organise it themselves?

But there's always next year, anyway.

princeofpounds

This is the training, if you read the top post.

Have you checked to see if any grants are available? For DofE specifically or outside activities generally. Lots of organisations do them.

Freecycle was a good suggestion. Also try one of the survey sites suggested on the up your income section?

patchwork_cat

Surf babe thanks for that. Yes the practice hike is in ten days. TBH I think part of my problem is the total lack of organisation or interest. He thought he was signing up for cycling and infact it was hiking! He has come home today to say one of his mates is changing because the mate feels this woman couldn't organise a pi** up in a brewery!


The thing is if he had longer and was more interested he could fund raise, get a grant etc. He is quite excited about doing something more interesting in the summer hols. He is organising his own voluntary, skills , residential and physical - he is doing 3 voluntary - although none were started especially for D of E.

Thank you ,the feeling that I got off the website and talk was this is meant to be fun, a challenge and done how and when they want to do it. He will get on with the other 4 and research his trip

Spirit_2

patchwork_cat wrote: »

Yes that is exactly what we did do and he is going to - although with his St John's ambulance, hospice visiting, Karate ( he is nearly black belt;)), and other D of E activities not mention the necessary partying! and studying I don't know when. He is going to raise the funds to do something a bit different. Any suggestions for an exciting trip?

What about doing "The Tall Ships Race"? It is organised by a charity (see link), who co-ordinate the event and thousands of young people take part every year on large and small vessels . Go to www.sailtraininginternational.org


It is a fantastic spectacle and a 'life changing experience' for which no previous sailing experience is required.

Spirit

nuttywoman

My son did his D of E through the army cadets, and did his trek in the Lake District.

patchwork_cat

Tall ships ohhh I'll have to tell him that one. Ohh I want to go, dead jealous I'll get him to look at that one!

barnaby-bear

patchwork_cat wrote: »

My son has just started sixth form and is doing his D of E gold. The last week and a half have been seriously frentic and we feel like mushrooms!

He had been pushed into signing up to their expedition training and after the inital sign up and providing over £100 for various thing at college he has now been told that he needs full hiking kit within 10 days and provide £150 towards the expedition within a further 3 weeks. His text books are starting to come through and I can see that mounting up to another couple of hundred or so.

He is going to get £10 EMA per week, but unless he gets £30 we have to pay for it all.

Anyway moan over! He has decided that he doesn't want to do this expedition and would rather do something more interesting even if it is more expensive, then he will fund raise for it, but at least it won't be thrust on him with no notice like the school organised one!

What did you do or do you know of what someone else did for their expedition? Also any links any one knows of resources for this or forums beyond the main D of E site?

I've organised DofE - via Venture Scouting. We got a lot of kids whose schools didn't do it, or they were the bullied kid so did it through us. The ATC/cadet/sea scouts also usually do it - the DofE site can be useful for finding an out of school group. Most venture groups/cadets/DofE groups will have their own tents, map pockets and a few rucksacks we lend out - they have to get their own boots, waterproofs, fleeces etc but Freecycle/TK Maxx/Millets can do it all fairly cheaply - Freecycle will get you a tent especially if you advertise wanted for a DofE.... I think looking for a group outside of college may be the way to go. Has he done Bronze and Silver already? I wouldn't expect more equipment above those.