Survive a Duke of Edinburgh's Award Weekend

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award expeditions may be difficult. However, with the right attitude, it can be a wonderful experience rather than a punishment. Whether you are at a bronze, silver, or gold level, you can survive the expedition while having fun. Follow this guide to learn how to survive in your expedition.

Steps

  1. Find a friendly group. In order to ensure that you feel comfortable during the entire expedition, stick with people that you are compatible with. You should also make sure that you have at least one person in your group that you can talk to. This will ensure that you don't feel isolated during the expedition, and you'll also know that there are people willing to support you.
  2. Follow your checklist. Be sure that you take each item on the list. If your teacher hasn't given you one, ask for one. It should include clothes, waterproof clothing, a 65-litre rucksack, a roll mat and sleeping bag, a First Aid kit, some personal belongings, safety equipment, and food. An audio book on a simple MP3 player could provide encouragement and relaxation. However, check with your expedition leader, as MP3 players may be banned. Avoid carrying unnecessary objects, such as makeup or books. These items will only weigh you down or hinder you from being able to bring essential items.
  3. Be prepared to have pasta at every meal. Food containing carbohydrates, such as pasta and noodles, are a great source of energy. They not only boost your health but also provide your body with the necessary nutrition to properly function. When participating in the expedition, it is important to maintain your energy levels by eating the wholesome meals provided.
    • Although sweets may be tempting to eat, they will only hinder you from being focused and alert. The sugar may provide a temporary high, but it will soon leave you more tired than before. Instead, opt for healthy snacks, such as dried fruit, nuts, rice cakes, and cereal bars. Sweets can be saved for checkpoints along the route instead of using them as energy. You could also use them as a reward once you have set up your tent.
  4. Break in your walking boots. In order to ensure that your feet feel comfortable in them, wear them around the house for periods of time. You could also use an old pair. The goal is to grow accustomed to moving around in your walking boots, which helps you avoid blisters or sore feet. Additionally, get used to the weight of your rucksack before you leave. If you're unfit, the time to start exercising is six to twelve weeks before the expedition, not two days before.
  5. Bring a bum-bag. It allows you to carry small, useful items, such as blister plasters and a water bottle. You'll also have them within easy reach rather than having to stop and rummage through your rucksack. Bum bags are sold in stores or online.
  6. Wear non-denim trousers with lots of pockets. They are not only appropriate for outdoor wear but also allow you to keep small, useful items in the pockets. Walking trousers tend to be the best as they are adaptable and dry quickly. However, cargo trousers, tracksuit bottoms, or even leggings are acceptable. If you will be walking in long grass, woodland or near nettles, shorts are not a good idea.
  7. Check the weather forecast. Before you leave, note the temperatures for the next few days, but don't believe every prediction. Despite what the forecast might say, be prepared for both rain and sunshine. Bring an umbrella and sunscreen in case, as the weather can be unpredictable at times.
  8. Fill your First Aid kit with essential items. Make sure it contains plasters, a few bandages, antiseptic cream, and painkillers. Also, include a few needles and a roll of thread, which acts as a sewing kit. Check that everything is within the expiry date. You should also make sure that you are familiar with using each item in your kit.
  9. Bring a change of clothes. You may need to bring an extra outfit or two, depending on what level you're participating in. You should also have at least one spare set of clothes to wear in case the others become wet or dirtied.
  10. Beg, borrow, or invest in a decent waterproof jacket. You may also want to obtain a pair of waterproof trousers and gaiters. Test the clothes beforehand by going in the shower with them on or asking a younger sibling to attack you with a hosepipe.
  11. Take bin bags and a selection of smaller plastic bags with you. Coloured bags can help you organise your bag, ensuring that you are aware of each item's location. They're useful for everything. A pocket tool or a small pocket knife is also handy.
  12. Be aware of the group equipment that you're expected to bring. In order to ensure that you and your group has a good experience with the expedition, be sure that you are responsible in bringing expected items. Also, check that the rest of your group members have their items. This will show that you are both responsible and considerate.
  13. Check the arrival and departure times. Be sure that you are aware of the start of the expedition, as well as the time that you are to return home. Also, you should check the location of the expedition. Print out a map if necessary.
  14. Stick together. Make sure that you are familiar with your group. Also, you should know the number of members travelling with you, as well as their names. Once in a while, you should check to make sure that everyone is still with you. You could also assign people to travel both in the front and the back of the group, ensuring that no one gets lost or distracted from the path. If your expedition leader finds out that your group has split up at any point, you automatically fail.
  15. Follow the rules. In order to have a good experience during the expedition, avoid breaking your leaders or campsite's rules. They are there to ensure that you remain safe while having fun during the expedition.
  16. Save time in your group. If you are in a group of six, save time by splitting them up to compete different tasks. Organize two people to cook while the others set up the tent. Be sure that each member has the opportunity to contribute an idea before you all make the final decision.
  17. Work together with your group. Rather than looking out for yourself, do your best to help others out. Be sure that each member's needs are met in order to avoid having the group collapse. You should also make sure that the tasks are equally divided so that each member can participate in the expedition. Additionally, when solving problems, ensure that all the members have the chance to contribute their ideas or thoughts.
  18. Have plenty of layers to sleep in. This will ensure that you stay warm and healthy throughout the night. Thermal base layers are excellent. Wear a warm hat, gloves, and . It's also best to have a good quality sleeping bag, 2 seasons at a minimum.
  19. Be sympathetic. Regularly check on your group members' condition to see if they can continue travelling. If you notice that one of them is lagging behind, offer him help by spreading some of the weight in his bag to you and the rest of the group. Be sure that each member's needs are met, especially when it comes to his health. It won't help your group if you ignore them or become cross.
    • If you notice that more than one member appears exhausted or has trouble continuing, you may need to stop the group for a short rest.
  20. Never send members far ahead unless in an emergency. Separating the group often causes more trouble. However, if the need arises, send a few people ahead. Supply them with a first aid kit, a map, a compass, your map reference, and a mobile. Never wander off alone; instead, remain with a partner so that you are not alone if trouble arises.
    • If your group has to separate at one point, be sure that all members are aware of where they'll be heading. Point out the locations on the map so that people know where you are.
  21. Impress people. Make sure that you follow all the rules. Clearly display your excellent teamwork, especially when the assessor is around. You should also regularly stop to check your current location on the map while making sure everyone sees. The assessor could ask anyone in your group to show him where you all are.
  22. Keep the group's morale high. Be sure that you keep your members' spirits high by offering encouragement and help if necessary. You should also spend some time with each member to find out more information about him while ensuring that he feels involved in the group. Talking to the members could also give you an idea of their strengths and weaknesses, as well as what task they would be best suited for during the expedition.
    • Offer sweets at checkpoints. Using small rewards as positive reinforcements will encourage the group to continue the expedition.
    • Avoid whining and moaning. Although you may feel stressed or tired, having a negative attitude will only lower your group's morale. Instead, stay positive and find the best in every situation.

Tips

  • Make sure you know where everything is in your bag, so you don't have to spend time searching for them. A good idea is to find several different coloured plastic bags and use them for different things, eg. orange bag for spare clothes, blue bag for food. This also helps keep things waterproof.
  • Always have a full water bottle or two before you start the walk each day.
  • You're going to get wet, no matter what the forecast is. Lining your backpack with a bin bag is a simple way of making extra sure everything will stay dry and investing in a waterproof cover for your backpack makes life a lot easier
  • Pack your bag so that most of your kit can be accessed without having to remove other items.
  • Don't pack your bag full of heavy, useless or breakable items.
  • Don't hop over barbed wired fences - it hurts and is dangerous.
  • If your sleeping bag is good quality, do not wear too many layers under it as it reduces the effect of the sleeping bag.
  • Don't walk into a field with angry looking animals
  • Once you have packed your bag, re-pack it several times, it is important that you know where everything is so to find something you won't have to tip out your whole bag.
  • Also, check that nobody in your group is allergic to substances such as bug spray before you spray it around.
  • If you are in a large group then it might be easier to cook in small groups, for example if there is a group of 4 then split it into 2 groups of 2 people. This is also useful if there are any people who are vegetarian etc.
  • It doesn't matter if you don't reach your checkpoints at the time you specified - nobody expects you to. So long as you get there and leave a checkpoint card or phone your leaders, nobody minds.
  • Know whether or not the water will need to be purified before you can drink it. Make sure you take Puratabs etc and be prepared to boil it. However, this water can taste incredibly bad, so it's a good idea to take some water flavouring.
  • Check on everybody in your group's eating habits if you are bringing food for other people. Check every label - you may think that all sweets are vegetarian, but they are not. Make sure everyone eats carbohydrate and protein based foods for main meals- not just sugar, you will get 'the shakes' after a few kilograms.

Warnings

  • At night, keep food inside your tent - it has happened that food is stolen by badgers.
  • During your walk you will get tired and possibly cold. Near the end everyone will start to get grouchy. Try to not pick arguments with any of your group mates, don't forget that they are you friends too!!
  • Ensure you know what you're doing with cooking equipment and tents. Check them before you go to make sure they're complete and work.
  • Remember to wash everything up well when you're finished cooking.
  • In case you do get lost, have emergency numbers ready to contact your expedition leaders. Make sure each member of the group has them so that if one person is separated, they can still remain in contact.
  • Do NOT bring: fresh milk, meat or fish (they'll go off), yogurts/pot noodles in easily breakable containers (you might break them and have it all over your bag).
  • If using TransGas or other alcohol stoves, wrap up the fuel bottle well in plastic bags or store it outside the bag, just in case it leaks. Methylated spirits flavoured food doesn't generally taste very nice and it is also poisonous. Also make sure you are using a D of E approved fuel bottle rather than just a plastic bottle.
  • Adhere to the country code or equivalent to prevent unnecessary altercations with angry farmers, forestry commission workers and the Police.
  • It's no good using vacuum bags or any other method to pack your gear which you won't be able to do at the campsite, otherwise you will have to bin half of your kit because it won't fit in your sack.
  • If you're not in good physical condition, it is better to wait for the next time you can go on expedition rather than hinder yourself and your group.

Things You'll Need

  • Walking boots that support your ankles. It helps if you have worn them in before the expedition.
  • Flip-flops or sandals for walking in the campsite so you don't have to wear your walking boots
  • Heavy socks and spare pair for each day
  • Clothes (ones that will dry quickly and are suitable for walking in) AND SPARE CLOTHES.
  • Good quality WATERPROOF jacket
  • Waterproof over-trousers and gaiters
  • Gloves/hat/scarf
  • Watch
  • Survival bag or space blanket
  • Charged mobile phone with credit
  • 65-litre or similar sized rucksack
  • Roll mat or Thermarest (camp beds and air beds are too heavy)
  • Warm sleeping bag - synthetic is best as it is still warm when wet. Put spare clothing in the nylon stuff sack and you have an instant pillow.
  • Torch with fresh batteries, and a spare set
  • Whistle for emergencies
  • Suncream
  • Insect repellent
  • Notebook and pencil or pen
  • Toiletries: at least baby wipes, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant and vaseline
  • Toilet roll - as not all toilets have it
  • Bin bags (these are useful to put everything in your backpack into so if it rains your stuff will stay reasonably dry and you can use bin bags for rubbish etc.)
  • Cutlery and bowl (don't take a plate, your food will fall off, a bowl is much more useful and can hold cereal etc)
  • washing up liquid and scrubber OR Brillo pads
  • tea towel (cut in half to save weight)
  • Map and compass - make sure you know how to use them
  • Cooking equipment and fuel.
  • First aid kit (placed near top of rucksack)which includes micropore tape, plasters, painkillers, needles (which must be sterilised in a flame if used to pop blisters), bandages, antiseptic cream and a small pair of scissors.
  • 1 knife each - but double check with your leaders first. A small Swiss army knife is ideal - you don't need a machete.
  • Multi tool- very useful tool if used properly, a multi tool with out knife is recommended.
  • Tents that ARE waterproof and keep out insects, with poles and pegs.
  • Food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner plus snacks. Go for stuff that can be easily cooked on a stove, with lots of calories, and food that can be eaten on the go.
  • Lighter or matches(for cooking etc.)
  • Emergency rations
  • Platypus/Camelbak or water bottles
  • Water purification tablets
  • Camera

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