The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme Walking 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!
Walking Expedition Course Content
Our walking expedition packages take on the same format, whatever the 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 Rucksack, Equipment and Footwear
- Campcraft and Use of Stoves
- Emergency Procedures and Incident Management
- First Aid Procedures
- Road Crossings and Walking on Roads
- Navigation and Route Planning
- 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 conditions 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, the team will have an additional supervisor who will be responsible for the welfare of the team throughout the expedition. At Bronze, the assessor can also act as the supervisor.
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.
- 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 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 from our campsite near East Grinstead, Sussex, 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
Open Courses 2026:
- Silver Practice Expedition – Mon 27th July – Wed 29th July – £248.40 inc VAT pp
- Silver Qualifier Expedition – Thurs 30th July – Sat 1st August – £248.40 inc VAT pp
- Silver Back to Back (Practice + Qualifier) – Mon 27th July – Sat 1st August – £496.80 inc VAT pp
- Gold Practice Expedition – Mon 27th July – Wed 29th July – £248.40 inc VAT pp
- Gold Qualifier Expedition – Thurs 30th July – Sun 2nd August – £331.20 inc VAT pp
- Gold Back to Back (Practice + Qualifier) – Mon 27th July – Sun 2nd August – £579.60 inc VAT pp
- Gold Adventurous Activity Residential – Mon 17th August – Fri 21st August – £462 inc VAT pp
- Gold Adventurous Activity Residential – Mon 26th October – Fri 30th October – £462 inc VAT pp
Open Courses 2026:
- Silver Practice Expedition – Mon 27th July – Wed 29th July – £248.40 inc VAT pp
- Silver Qualifier Expedition – Thurs 30th July – Sat 1st August – £248.40 inc VAT pp
- Silver Back to Back (Practice + Qualifier) – Mon 27th July – Sat 1st August – £496.80 inc VAT pp
- Gold Practice Expedition – Mon 27th July – Wed 29th July – £248.40 inc VAT pp
- Gold Qualifier Expedition – Thurs 30th July – Sun 2nd August – £331.20 inc VAT pp
- Gold Back to Back (Practice + Qualifier) – Mon 27th July – Sun 2nd August – £579.60 inc VAT pp
- Gold Adventurous Activity Residential – Mon 17th August – Fri 21st August – £462 inc VAT pp
- Gold Adventurous Activity Residential – Mon 26th – Fri 30th October 2026 – £462 inc VAT pp
What do I need to bring?
Blackland Farm Outdoor Centre supply group equipment for your expedition (tents / stoves and gas / maps and compasses / group first aid kit / group shelter). You only need to bring personal equipment, clothing, and medication. See our ‘Letter to Participants’ for an in-depth kit list.
Can I borrow equipment?
Blackland Farm Outdoor Centre has a small supply of spare rucksacks, sleeping bags, and roll mats. If you need to borrow any of this please talk to your DofE leader or email ‘dofe@blacklandfarm.org’.
Can I use my own equipment?
Yes – You are welcome to use your own equipment (tent/stove etc). Our assessors will check and advise if it is suitable for your expedition. Any stoves must be gas and not liquid fuel (methylated spirit / petrol etc).
What footwear do I need?
We recommend you wear leather or textile walking boots (with ankle support). Trainers might be acceptable, but we advise any footwear has a thick sole, ankle support, and is waterproof.
What happens if I’m missing any equipment on the day?
Blackland Farm Outdoor Centre has a small supply of rucksacks/roll mats/sleeping bags. If you’re missing anything else, talk to your DofE leader before your expedition.
What food should I bring on expedition?
You will discuss food and nutrition during your training. Any food should be ‘shelf stable’ (not stored in a fridge / freezer). You should also stay away from food in glass jars, tins, and anything that can pop.
Where do your expeditions take place?
We run expeditions all over the country, large Bronze expeditions in the Ashdown Forest, small Gold expeditions in North Wales.
Can I bring my phone / listen to music?
Blackland Farm Outdoor Centre recommends your phone is switched off and in your rucksack for the duration of your expedition. We cannot accept responsibility if your phone gets lost or damaged during your expedition. We recommend you bring a disposable camera to take photos and evidence for your team goal.
What happens if I can’t make my school’s expedition dates?
We run open expeditions in the summer holidays – you’ll find these listed above our FAQs.
Are your instructors qualified?
Our instructors and assessors are suitably experienced and qualified for the environments they work in. They also all hold a first aid qualification, a DBS, and have completed the Duke of Edinburgh EASTC.
Do you run accessible expeditions?
Our expeditions are open to all, and our staff are experienced and work with a wide range of participants and groups. If you have any more questions regarding this, please email ‘dofe@blacklandfarm.org’
What if I get injured on expedition?
Our staff are all first aid qualified and will support you through your expedition. If you are unable to complete your expedition, we will discuss ways to support you through through the next steps and how to finish your award.
What if I can’t complete the qualifying expedition?
If you can’t complete your Qualifying expedition, you will be deferred. Our staff will discuss thenext steps with you, and support you on how to finish your award.
What facilities do the campsites have?
At Bronze and Silver, campsites will have water access and toilets.
At Gold, campsites will be more basic. You might also be wild camping. If this is the case, your supervisor will cover water collection and toileting on your training.
What happens if extreme weather is forecast?
The expedition will usually go ahead – you should have been trained on suitable clothing to bring and wear on expedition. If Blackland Farm Outdoor Centre cancels an expedition due to extreme weather, we will offer alternative dates. If you cannot make these, we will offer you a refund.
Will I be sharing a tent?
Yes – You might be sharing with (up to) 2 people.
We will work with your school to ensure any tent sharing is in line with school policies.
How much water do I need?
You will need to be able to carry 2 litres of water. Your assessors and supervisors will have water refill points available throughout the expedition.
Do I need to bring money?
The Duke of Edinburgh expedition requirements states – Participants must be self sufficient. You will not have an opportunity to spend money during the expedition, but there might be an opportunity to buy an ice cream when you finish.
What happens if someone needs to contact me during the expedition?
Blackland Farm Outdoor Centre has a 24hr duty number. If you need to contact a participant on an expedition, please contact the school in the first instance who will be able to contact our duty number on your behalf. If you are on Open Expedition with us, you will be provided with the number directly.
How will I be safe?
Every group will be trained to operate in their expedition environment. They are also supplied with an emergency contact card and 2 emergency phone numbers. It is for this reason we recommend your phone is switched off and in your bag to preserve battery. Groups might also have trackers if we deem it suitable.
Our Course Directors and supervisors also create a supervision plan for each day to ensure groups are safe and meeting the Duke of Edinburgh expedition requirements.
What happens if you damage equipment?
We will charge for any Blackland Farm Outdoor Centre equipment that is damaged or lost due to negligence. We will not charge if equipment is damaged from wear and tear, adverse weather, etc.
When will my report be uploaded?
Your expedition assessors report should be uploaded within 2 weeks of the expedition end date. If you cannot see it on your eDofE account email dofe@blacklandfarm.org.
If you have any questions or concerns about your expedition, please feel free to email dofe@blacklandfarm.org.