Going for Gold: Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition

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°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 5:30 pm; 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.

March