Expedition

The Expedition section is the only part of your DofE that must be done as a team. For various reasons, sometimes people cannot take part in an expedition organised by their own centre, but there is no need to worry - there are many providers out there who can take people on expeditions in just such a situation. This page contains a list of expedition providers who can offer places on expeditions at some or all DofE programme levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold). Programme planners, Activity ideas lists and Session planners relating to the Expedition section may be downloaded from the DofE website.

For a list of campsites, see the Campsite Database page.

If you are looking for extra people to join an expedition and would like it to be advertised on this website, please make a request through Oxfordshire Open Award and the details will be posted on the Help Wanted page.

Expedition Training

An Expedition Training Booklet is available for download below.

It has been compiled from a number of sources by experienced local expedition leaders, and is meant to form the basis of a training course for young people prior to undertaking their practice expedition. It concentrates mostly on Bronze level training, but should be useful for Silver and Gold participants as well. Copies may be printed out for people to keep as a reference manual.

For reference, the Expedition Training Frameworks for Bronze, Silver and Gold levels may downloaded from the Expedition Downloads page on the DofE website.

The following is an example of the way in which expedition training at Bronze level may be delivered (many thanks to Our Lady's Abingdon for allowing us to describe their method). The first five topics are covered over five weekly classroom sessions of about 45 minutes each. The other topics are covered during an intensive training day.

Weekly sessions:

  1. General introduction to the Expedition section (45 minutes); 20 Conditions, required timescales, etc.

  2. Purpose and presentations (45 minutes)

  3. Kit list and rucksack packing (45 minutes)

  4. Food and cooking (45 minutes)

  5. Safety and emergency procedures (45 minutes).

Training day sessions:

  1. Map and compass; navigation skills (1 hour)

  2. Tents and campcraft (1 hour); including practice at pitching tents

  3. First aid (1 hour)

  4. Practical use of the trangia (participants bring a typical expedition meal and cook it on the trangia)

  5. Route planning; how to write a route card (2 hours) - participants plan their practice expedition.

Oxfordshire County Council Outdoor Centres

Oxfordshire County Council run a number of outdoor centres in various parts of the country:

The centres can provide opportunites for participants in both the Expedition and Residential sections of their DofE. See the brochure below for further details.

Plas y Brenin

Plas y Brenin (location map), in Capel Curig, Snowdonia is the UK's National Mountain Centre, and offers a large number of expedition and leader training opportunities.

DofE Approved Activity Providers

See this page on the DofE website for a full list of Approved Activity Providers.