FAQs
WHAT KIT DO I NEED?
We will cover this during the pre-expedition training, and you can find more advice and a kit list from the Equipment Hire section of this website. This is also available on Google Classroom.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I FORGET ANYTHING?
We bring a small stock of spare kit to each expedition, so your supervisor may be able to help. However, you will not be able to take part unless you are properly equipped.
WHY CAN’T I WEAR TRAINERS OR APPROACH SHOES FOR THE EXPEDITION?
To safely take part in an expedition, you must have proper walking boots that cover the ankle bone. These must have soles with good grips and heels. If you do not have proper walking boots, you will not be able to take part.
WHY MUST MY WALKING BOOTS COVER THE ANKLE BONE?
You will be carrying a heavy load during the expedition, so in order to prevent injury, your ankles will need extra support from your walking boots. If you do not have proper walking boots, you will not be able to take part.
DO I NEED TO BRING A SPARE PAIR OF TRAINERS OR FLIP FLOPS?
This isn’t necessary, however, if you don’t mind carrying a little more, then you may want to bring a different pair of shoes to wear in camp. You can not walk barefoot around the campsite.
CAN I WEAR SHORTS?
If it is hot, you may wish to wear shorts; however, we recommend wearing long trousers when walking, as they provide protection from sunburn, cuts and scratches from long grass, and biting insects such as ticks.
WHY CAN’T I WEAR COTTON?
Cotton absorbs a lot of water and dries very slowly, so if your cotton t-shirt, hoodie, or tracksuit bottoms get wet, you will be cold and uncomfortable. Fleece and quick-drying synthetic materials are better. A woolly jumper will also keep you warm while wet.
WHY DO I NEED TO BRING A WOOLLY HAT AND GLOVES IN SUMMER?
Even in the middle of summer, it can be very cold during rest stops outdoors and at night. Therefore, it is essential that you keep yourself warm.
HOW MANY SPARE CLOTHES DO I NEED?
This will depend on the length of your expedition, but as a minimum, you will need a spare warm jumper and a complete change of clothing.
HOW MANY PAIRS OF SOCKS DO I NEED?
As a minimum, you will need 2 pairs: one to wear and a spare. However, some participants prefer to have a fresh pair of socks for each day of their expedition.
CAN I BRING MY MOBILE PHONE?
No – with the exception of an emergency contact phone (1 per team), no participants should bring their mobile phone. The emergency phone will be sealed in a tamper-proof bag and is for emergency use only. Please ensure that the emergency phone is fully charged, has sufficient credit, and is set to battery saver mode prior to departure. You should also turn off mobile data to further extend battery life. It's also a good idea to have a power bank to charge the device overnight. The school's mobile phone usage policy can clarify this further.
CAN I BRING AN MP3 PLAYER?
No, we do not want to see or hear participants listening to music during the expedition. It is not in the spirit of the DofE, it is antisocial, and it can even be dangerous to wear headphones whilst walking.
CAN I BRING A CAMERA OR VIDEO RECORDER?
Yes – this is a great idea, you will want to record all of those great DofE memories. They can then be uploaded onto your eDofE or used during your presentation. If you do bring a camera or video camera, please ensure that it is well protected from the elements.
DO I NEED WALKING POLES?
Some participants find walking poles very useful; when used correctly, they take some of the weight off your legs and can help you balance on rough ground. They are particularly useful for participants with ankle, knee, or hip problems.
WHAT ARE GAITERS AND DO I NEED THEM?
Gaiters are a tube of material which fits over the bottom of your trousers and over the top of your boots. They will help to keep water, dust and grit out of your boots. Generally, we only suggest using them for expeditions in Wild Country; however, if you have a pair, feel free to bring them along.
DO I NEED TO BRING ANY MONEY?
Yes – Once on the actual expedition itself, you cannot call in and buy anything from any shop. Everything you will need on your expedition, you must carry with you. Having said that, it is a good idea to bring some extra money with you in case of an emergency – one or two coins are sometimes useful to use at a pay phone if there is no mobile coverage in an emergency.
WHAT FUN ITEM SHOULD I BRING?
Whatever will boost your morale and keep you entertained during the expedition. Some people bring a ball, a pack of cards, a book, a cuddly toy, and a Frisbee. No iPods, iPads or other electronic items, because "an expedition is an opportunity for participants to have a unique and memorable outdoor experience, different from their normal routine". These items detract from this experience.
I LOST OR DAMAGED A PERSONAL POSSESSION DURING AN EXPEDITION. AM I INSURED?
Your possessions may be covered on your house insurance. We recommend taking out travel insurance to cover your personal possessions during the expedition. Your possessions are not insured through the DofE or Beverley Grammar School.
WILL YOU CHARGE ME IF I DAMAGE OR LOSE ANY KIT BELONGING TO BEVERLEY GRAMMAR SCHOOL?
That depends – if the damage or loss was accidental, e.g. breaking a tent pole whilst trying to pitch a tent in stormy conditions, then we will not charge you. However, we reserve the right to charge if we believe the damage or loss was caused wilfully, by misuse, or by negligence.
HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD I CARRY?
You should carry 2 litres of water with you when walking. But you will need to drink more than this during the day to stay hydrated, so we recommend drinking water in the morning before you start and more when you arrive at your campsite in the evening. Fizzy canned drinks like Coke or Red Bull are unacceptable because they actively dehydrate you.
WILL I BE ABLE TO TOP UP MY DRINKING WATER EACH DAY?
Most campsites will have taps with drinking water. In very hot weather, we may be able to meet you with a supply of water during the day, but since you need to be self-sufficient, you should plan to carry all the water you need.
DO I NEED WATER PURIFICATION TABLETS?
No – at most campsites, you will have access to clean drinking water. When you need to take water from streams, we recommend boiling it rather than using purification tablets. If this is going to be necessary during your expedition, our instructors will give you appropriate training on this
CAN I USE A CAMELBACK, PLATYPUS OR OTHER HYDRATION SYSTEM?
These are good as you don’t need to stop and take your bag off to drink, so they can help you to stay hydrated. The downside is that you also can’t easily see how much you’re drinking, and it is easy to drink a day’s supply of water in a couple of hours. Hydration systems are also prone to leaking, so you should also bring a 1-litre water bottle.
HOW WILL I COOK MY FOOD?
Your group can hire a number of Trangia stoves – typically 1 for every 3 participants. The stoves are fuelled by methylated spirits, which are safe and easy to use. You will be provided with a bottle of fuel prior to departing on your expedition. Each stove has 2 pans, a lid, and a handle, so you can boil or warm food. You will not be able to fry, toast, roast, or oven-cook food, so you need to choose what to bring carefully.
You are welcome to use your own lightweight stove from home, but please bear in mind you will need to show your instructor/supervisor beforehand so it can be assessed as suitable for lightweight backpacking. In the main, any pressurised gas canisters & bayonet fittings are deemed not suitable.
WHAT FOOD DO I NEED?
We will cover this during the pre-expedition training, and you can find further advice on suitable foods in Google Classroom.
SHOULD I AVOID ANY FOODS?
Yes – do not bring any raw meat, poultry or fish. Anything that needs refrigeration should be eaten within 4 hours, so ham sandwiches for lunch on day 1 are probably ok, but after that, to avoid food poisoning, please eat only dried, preserved, or long-life foods. If someone in your group has an allergy, you should also avoid bringing food they are allergic to to prevent them from getting ill.
WHAT SORT OF TENT WILL I SLEEP IN?
As standard, we use Vango Scafell 300+ tents. These are lightweight and simple to pitch. You will be shown how to pitch these during the pre-expedition training sessions. Each tent sleeps 3 people, and you can choose how many tents your group takes on your expedition.
WHAT WILL THE CAMPSITE BE LIKE?
This will depend on where you are doing your expedition. We use a variety of commercial campsites, farmer’s fields, and Scout or Guide campsite. On Gold expeditions, you will be expected to wild camp for at least one of the nights. Most campsites do not have showers; some have hot and cold water and flushing loos, but most are very basic, with only cold-water taps and composting toilets. When wild camping, you will not have access to any facilities; we will cover camp hygiene during the pre-expedition training.
WILL I BE ABLE TO SHOWER?
No, most of the campsites do not have showers. You will be able to wash, although it is unlikely to be with hot water. We suggest either bringing a flannel and a small bar of soap or using wet wipes.
WILL THERE BE A TOILET AT THE CAMPSITE?
Most of the campsites we use will have toilets – some may be proper flushing toilets, others may be more basic portaloos or composting toilets. If you are wild camping, then you will not have a toilet, but we will provide you with a trowel, and our instructors will discuss camp hygiene with you during the pre-expedition training.
SHOULD I BRING A TOILET ROLL?
Yes – you need to be self-sufficient. Some campsites do not provide toilet rolls, or you may find that other campers have used them before you arrive. We recommend Andrex “on the go”, which is a compact, coreless toilet roll or packets of tissues. Remember to protect your loo roll from the elements – it won’t be of any use to you if it is soggy.
IF I HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION, ILLNESS, OR INJURY, CAN I STILL TAKE PART?
We will try to accommodate your needs wherever possible; however, expeditions are very strenuous and often take place in remote areas, so we need to consider whether it will be safe for you to take part if you are not fully fit.
It may be possible to apply for a variation to the DofE expedition requirements so that we can assist you in some way, or we may recommend that you need to undertake further training or wait until you are fully fit before taking part.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM ILL OR INJURED DURING THE EXPEDITION?
Our instructors will be on hand to give you support and first aid. If necessary, you will be referred to a medical professional. If you are unable to continue with the expedition, then we will contact your parent/guardian to arrange for them to collect you.
DO I FAIL IF I DON'T FINISH THE EXPEDITION BECAUSE OF ILLNESS
Although you cannot "fail" a DofE expedition, you would not be able to pass your expedition section if you had to leave halfway through. It seems unfair, but unfortunately, for you to pass the expedition section, you have to complete the required number of days (2 for Bronze, 3 for Silver). If you are forced to withdraw, you cannot pass the expedition on this occasion. You can, of course, undertake the expedition again during the next expedition season.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET BITTEN BY A TICK?
Ticks are common in some of the expedition areas. You can prevent tick bites by covering up and using insect repellent. We include Tick removers in our first-aid kits, and our instructors will show you how to use them. If you get bitten by a tick during your expedition, please let your instructor know. If you find a tick when you get home, then you can find advice on safe removal and information on the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease here.
WILL I BE ABLE TO CONTACT FRIENDS OR FAMILY DURING THE EXPEDITION?
No - the team emergency mobile phone should only be used to contact your supervisor during the expedition. You need to save your battery for emergencies. You should contact your DofE supervisor if you need to get a message to your family and we will be able to relay the message for you.
WILL MY PARENTS BE ABLE TO CONTACT ME DURING THE EXPEDITION?
No - you should tell friends and family not to call you during the expedition. You need to save your phone battery for emergencies. You may also be in an area with poor phone signal and they may worry if they cannot get hold of you. Your parents should contact your DofE supervisor if they need to get a message to you and we will be able to relay the message to you.
HOW CAN I GET A MESSAGE TO MY SON OR DAUGHTER DURING AN EXPEDITION?
If your message is urgent please contact your childs DofE supervisor using the number provided on the parental letter or during the parental information evening.
MY SON OR DAUGHTER HAS CALLED ME AND IS LOST OR UPSET, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Please reassure them, and tell them they need to speak to their supervisor who will be able to help. Supervisors make regular checks on the groups progress and participants are all given contact numbers for their supervisors. Phone signal may be poor in the expedition areas, so if participants cannot get hold of their supervisor they should leave a clear message and send a text giving their location and information about the problem.
Please try not to worry, expeditions are challenging and participants may want to call parents if they are tired and upset. They often forget to call you back to tell you that everything is OK later on.
WHAT WILL WE COVER IN THE TRAINING SESSIONS
You can find a full breakdown of the course content for the training sessions here.
WHAT IF I MISS THE AFTER-SCHOOL TRAINING SESSIONS?
You cannot take part in the practice expedition unless you have completed the appropriate pre-expedition training. If you have a large number of absences, your DofE leader will discuss the options with you.
WHAT IF I MISS THE PRACTICE EXPEDITION?
You cannot take part in the qualifying expedition unless you have successfully completed at least one practice expedition. If this happens, your DofE leader will discuss the options with you.
CAN I DO MY PRACTICE EXPEDITION WHEN THE REST OF MY GROUP DO THEIR QUALIFYING EXPEDITION?
No – a lot of training still takes place on the practice expedition, so it would not be appropriate to include a participant who had not completed a practice expedition in a group that is undertaking an unaccompanied qualifying expedition.
IF I DROP OUT OF THE PROGRAMME WILL I GET A REFUND?
No – payments are non-refundable.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DROP OUT OF A PRACTICE EXPEDITION BEFORE THE END?
If you do not complete the practice expedition, we cannot sign you off to proceed to the qualifying expedition. You will therefore need to repeat all or part of the practice expedition. On very rare occasions, someone may become ill or injured on the final day of a practice expedition. If they have already demonstrated they have acquired all of the necessary skills and are competent, we may be able to sign them off.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DROP OUT OF A QUALIFYING EXPEDITION BEFORE THE END?
Unfortunately, you will have to repeat the whole expedition again in the next expedition season.
CAN I FAIL A PRACTICE
You cannot fail a DofE Expedition. However, at the end of a practice expedition, we occasionally have to recommend that some groups undertake further training and practice to ensure that they are fully prepared to safely undertake an unaccompanied qualifying expedition. This isn’t failing; some groups just take longer to pick up the necessary skills.
CAN I FAIL A QUALIFYING EXPEDITION?
You cannot fail a DofE Expedition. However, not all of the participants who start a qualifying expedition will complete it successfully. If they fail to demonstrate that they have fulfilled all the expedition requirements, they will not pass the expedition on this occasion. If they have not taken care of themselves, they may drop out before the end. We also reserve the right to ask a participant to leave an expedition if we believe that they pose a danger to themselves or other members of their group. If you do not complete your qualifying expedition the first time, then you can try again at a later date. You have until your 25th Birthday.
HOW FAR WILL I HAVE TO WALK?
At Bronze, you will need to plan 6 hours of activity each day, 7 hours for Silver, and 8 hours for Gold. At least 50% of this time must be spent journeying. Participants plan their own routes for the assessed expedition, so the actual distances can vary, but it roughly equates to 15km, 18km and 20km per day for walking expeditions.
HOW FIT DO I NEED TO BE?
The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your expedition; walking uphill with a rucksack on will not seem so hard, and you will be able to enjoy the view rather than puffing and panting. The more training you do before your expedition, the better you will feel. Expeditions are about endurance rather than speed, so simply walking is ideal training. You could walk to school or the shops rather than getting a lift or catching the bus. Walking with a rucksack is even better, put some tins of beans in your rucksack and practice walking with it, gradually increase the weight as you get fitter. Don’t forget to wear your boots when you train, as this will help "break them in" and ensure they are comfortable for your expedition. Never wear brand-new boots on an expedition. If you do, you are guaranteed blisters!
HOW HARD WILL IT BE?
DofE expeditions are supposed to be challenging, so you will find them hard at some point. You may even feel like giving up at some point during your expedition. But you will have your teammates and supervisor to encourage and help you get through, and at the end, the sense of achievement and good memories will definitely outweigh the low points.