The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme
Canoe Expeditions
We are an Approved Activity Provider (AAP) for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme at all three levels of the Expedition Section, Bronze, Silver and Gold, both on foot and on the water. We are also a provider for the Gold Residential Section of the Award. We pride ourselves in delivering exceptional skills training and expedition management to ensure the successful completion of each Award, no matter what level. We work closely with all our clients, whether that be a large school Bronze cohort of up to 200 participants or a small Gold team of 4 individuals, to provide a programme that is tailored to your personal requirements. All we need from you is an idea of numbers, a preferred expedition venue and which mode of travel you would like to use to complete the expedition; on foot or on the water – We will do the rest!
Canoe Expedition Course Content
Our water based canoeing expedition packages take on the same format, whichever level of award. Each training day / practice expedition will start with the following key elements that form the basis of a safe and successful qualifying expedition experience. Our highly experienced instructors will cover the following key subject areas:
- The Expedition Drybag, Equipment and PPE
- Campcraft and Use of Stoves
- Emergency Procedures and Incident Management
- ‘On the Water’ Safety and Rescue Training
- First Aid Procedures
- Water Access and Manual Handling of Boats & Equipment
- Navigation, Route Planning and Portages
- Environmental Awareness and The Countryside Code
The practice expedition will start with direct supervision. This will allow us to assist with any areas that may need additional support. Once we are satisfied with the team’s ability to remain self-sufficient, our instructors will step back and meet the team at various points along the practice route and provide comprehensive feedback at the end with some pre-qualifying expedition hints and tips!
For the qualifying expedition, the team will meet their assessor at the start who will go through the ‘Expedition Requirements’ to make sure they have met the requirements of this section of the award. They will also conduct a kit check of both personal and group equipment to satisfy themselves that the team is adequately prepared for their expedition.
At Silver and Gold levels, the team will have an additional safety supervisor who will be responsible for the welfare of the team throughout the expedition. At Bronze, the assessor may also assume the supervisor role if they hold the appropriate water based technical qualifications.
What is included?
- A full time Expedition Course Director who will be available to assist with anything before, during and post expedition.
- Comprehensive pre-expedition admin pack for participants and schools / parents / guardians, including consent forms, kit lists etc.
- Assistance with expedition paperwork. We will complete operating authority notifications, green forms and risk assessments.
- High quality training, delivered in a similar environment to that of the expedition area.
- Experienced instructors holding National Governing Body qualifications relevant to the environment in which they are working. All of our instructors hold a current and relevant first aid qualification and Enhanced DBS certificate.
- Training materials and notes for participants.
- All supervision and developmental training throughout the programme (during the day and overnight where agreed). We aim to help young people develop their personal and practical skills as much as possible throughout their experience with us, both as individuals and as part of their team.
- Campsite or bunkhouse fees for participants.
- Smiles and encouragement throughout!
We also provide the following equipment if required:
- Boats, Paddles and Buoyancy Aids (Water based PPE)
- Tents & Group Shelters
- Stoves & Fuel
- Group First Aid Kits
- Hi-Vis Vests (for use near roads)
- Maps & Compasses
Expedition Venues
The majority of our expeditions take place on the River Thames and/or River Wye, or more locally, River Medway and/or River Adur, however our team are happy to travel to a destination of your choice if that is more convenient and the environment is suitable for the expedition!
Availability and Pricing
- Gold Practice: 14-17th April 2025, River Thames
- Gold Qualifier: 28-31st July, River Wye
Private / School Expeditions on request to dofe@blacklandfarm.org
Please note, Canoe Expeditions require a minimum of 12 participants to run
- Gold Practice: £355.20 incl VAT
- Gold Qualifier: £355.20 incl VAT
- + Mileage (calculated and invoiced two weeks prior to each expedition)
- + Boat Hire (£30 + VAT per expedition)
