Sun Shines on Duke of Edinburgh Adventurers

Eighty-two enthusiastic Upper Remove pupils and seven members of staff took part in their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze practice expedition around Bromsgrove and the Clent Hills last weekend.

The glorious March weather shone firmly on pupils as they received training in navigation, map skills and navigation from our training company WildCountry Consultants, supported by King’s staff Mr Cuthbertson, Mrs Beard, Mr Branchett, Dr Pettinsingh, Mrs Rutter, Ms Rhodes and Mrs Counsell from King’s Hawford.

After meeting at school in the morning, all groups were taken directly to Blackwell Adventure, which many remembered from their Lower Fourth activity camp. The pupils split up into their 10 groups and met their instructor from WildCountry who would work with them over the two-day expedition.

The first day was spent working directly with instructors, firstly setting up camp as a team, then completing a route where they put their map and compass skills to the test, as well as talking through emergency procedures, first aid, the countryside code and other relevant topics.

Once into camp, teams cooked their team dinner, with the large majority choosing pasta and sauce, followed by camp favourites s’mores and for one group, home baked brownies. Half of the group planned their route for the next day in the evening, ready to be off bright and early.

After a chilly night, the first wave of pupils were up, breakfasted and packed by 8am, ready for a prompt departure for their six hour walking day. Spirits were high with the sunshine, which certainly helped to thaw everyone out!

The rest of the cohort planned their route on Sunday morning, having a later start. Six groups headed north, to finish at the Clent Hills, with the other four groups heading south to finish in Feckenham. All groups successfully navigated their planned route to arrive at the finish line in excellent spirits.

WildCountry Consultants were extremely complimentary about all teams; for most instructors it was their first expedition of the DofE season and they spoke about ‘highly competent’ pupils who were a ‘credit to King’s’.

All pupils will go on to complete their assessed Duke of Edinburgh expedition in the Cotswolds at the end of June. However, the expedition section of the award is one section of four, and 39 pupils have already received their Certificate of Achievement for completing their Physical, Skill and Volunteering Sections.

Well done to all involved and good luck for the summer expedition!