A group of our IB students spent a few action-packed days in Wales on their first
practice expedition for their Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award.
Along with St. Clare's Head of Activities, Kevin Hennessy, the team set off to the Black Mountains in the Brecon Beacons National Park and on Thursday they worked on using expedition equipment, backpack packing, menu planning, food preparation, route planning and
route cards. They also worked on improving their navigation skills.
On Friday they began their first day of walking with a full backpack. Setting off
in the rain for the 18km hike from below Twmpa, the wet start and an early steep
climb really tested the resolve of the group. Thankfully the rain had stopped by
lunch time, however at 750 metres high the temperature was close to 1 degrees C! The group then set up camp at
Llanthony.
The plan for Saturday included a 17 km walk and more camping, but before they could
set off the students had to pack up their campsite. It is this camp craft
activity which requires plenty of practice. The students had to tackle wet tents
and sore muscles from the previous day's walk, plus the weather wasn't making
things any easier – snow was falling on the high ground! The group completed
their hike and arrived at the second campsite at 5:30pm; their skills shone as
they were able to erect their tents and start cooking their evening meal within
30 minutes of arrival!
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a leading youth charity that gives young people the
chance to develop skills for work and life.
The 2013 Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award students are: Hermine Fossum
Simonsen; Cassia Patricia Mesquita Do Carmo; Renee Oghenerume (Rume) Onosode;
Hanna Tsentser; Diana Pop; Charles-Antoine Lassonnery; Christopher van den
Heuvel; Ali Naif Dzhaber.
