DofE

Liking outdoorsy type things, I volunteered at the school to help supervise this year's Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award with the year nines. I wasn't aware of it when I was at school, I don't think Stantonbury even offered it, don't even know if it would have been something I would have wanted to do back then. It's only open to people up to 25, so I'm a bit past it now. There was a equipment and first aid training day I helped out with right at the start of the year. 

Out on the practice expedition

Then it was planning for the practice expedition, which was learning all round from the group of girls I was assigned and myself. We has a route planed, starting and finishing from the school. The majority of the first day I was walking with the girls and another trainee teacher who had done her Gold award. Painfully slow at times, but guess that's what the practice weekend was for, by the time we felt confident to leave them to navigate to the campsite, everyone's confidence was much better. Two of the six girls didn't make it to the campsite as literally twenty minutes after us leaving them they rang the emergency number and got picked up.

Assessed expedition

For the assessed weekend, everyone, including me was much more aware of what was expected. I actually had proper time scheduled for my group to meet and plan thier route. The girls knew what it would be like walking with thier big bags, drop notes and navigating around the fields. I was part of another practice day where the the two girls who dropped out had to attend to be able to do the assessed weekend. The assessed weekend went without major issue only a minor issue with the bus that dropped all the girls off at Harrold-Odell Country Park, it rained in the evening rather than while everyone was walking which is the best time it could have rained. Everyone completed the course and passed their Bronze award!

'Minor' issue with the bus on the assessed weekend. 

Fun graffiti on a water tower seen on route.