Over the past several weeks more than seventy five students from the Queen Elizabeth II High School Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Unit have completed practice and assessed foot expeditions. The students formed themselves into twelve expedition groups and the groups planned their own routes walking over two and three day periods depending on the level of the Award.
The aim of the expedition section is to develop initiative and a spirit of adventure and discovery, by planning, training for and completing an adventurous journey as part of a team.
The groups have to undertake a project on their journey. One of the most popular projects was assessing the conditions of the footpaths. The groups found many paths had become overgrown. They had to fight their way through bramble bushes, ferns and nettles. Many tracks were also worn down to bare rock, deeply rutted and flooded.
Concentration and nifty footwork was needed to keep upright on some of the coastal and mountain routes! Groups also found it impossible to pass through the many narrow kissing gates whilst carrying loaded rucksacks. Climbing onto the wooden frame or continuously taking packs off was the only way to negotiate them. Other expedition projects included surveys of birds, fungi, and litter and countryside users.
Elena Reid, aged 14, said “My Duke of Edinburgh expedition was definitely an experience to remember. I learnt a lot of different skills and thoroughly enjoyed it. Most of the time, we were in good spirits and had a real laugh, although sometimes we did find it difficult. The most challenging thing for me was the sleeping at night, as it was very cold. I feel that I am a much better map reader than I was before and I also learnt how important it is to pack your rucksack correctly!”
Edie Bankes-Jones, also aged 14, said “The trip was really fun. I was with a group of people who I wouldn’t normally be with at School but over the weekend we really got to know each other. The camping and cooking was good although it was very cold at night. It was a very exciting experience."
Lesley Sleight, Unit leader, added “I hope that through participating in an expedition the young people gain an appreciation and respect for the environment. That they learn the value of sharing responsibility for success, through leadership, teamwork, self-reliance and co-operation. Hopefully they will become more self-reliant and able to manage risk. The expeditions could not have taken place without the many volunteers. Teachers throughout the year have spent lunchtimes, after school sessions, weekends and half term holidays helping train, supervise and assess groups. We are one of the largest units on the Island with over 140 students working towards an Award.”
Photo - Amber George, Paige Skillicorn, Jonathan Hastie, George Willoughby and Katie Hill.
