Duke of Edinburgh Award

[KB]

Vegetables, chopping, slicing.....
Sorry but No!

Weight and bulk are major issues - food should be ready prepared so chopping knives and board are not required.

Fuel for cooking needs to be minimised so don't take things that take a long time to cook unless absolutely necessary.

They also need to be able to get meals as quickly as possible. Weather could be bad, it could be getting dark. Tents need to be out up and dinner cooked in what can be challenging conditions. Remember this is not a family camping trip adapted to walking - needs a different mind set. Balanced meals don't matter for 2 days - calories do.

Bronze is only a couple of days and they will be very hungry so less picky than usual. Much more important considerations than taste

Don't do anything for them - not even adding raisins to porridge. The whole point of D of E is the learning curve. I'm not usually a 'hands off ' type parent but in this case it's really important if they are to get value from the experience. If you are worried about the organisers not being on the ball then suggest your DC shows you their plan so you can talk through any safety concerns ( with food that might be lack of calories or stuff that will go off). If they go hungry on DofE practice they will learn for next time. Obviously if they have health issues that's a very different situation.

Trowel is needed for wild camping. At bronze they are more likely to be on a campsite with facilities but they should know where they are staying!


Reasonable amount of experience as a leader so apologies for rant but we've seen it all. Right down to girls bringing make up bags hidden in their rucksacks....
Some young people hate the expeditions and it's just not for them but for others it can make a real difference to their maturity.
Hope they all have successful trips.

[Stroller]

Vegetables, chopping, slicing.....
Sorry but No!

Weight and bulk are major issues - food should be ready prepared so chopping knives and board are not required.

Fuel for cooking needs to be minimised so don't take things that take a long time to cook unless absolutely necessary.

They also need to be able to get meals as quickly as possible. Weather could be bad, it could be getting dark. Tents need to be out up and dinner cooked in what can be challenging conditions. Remember this is not a family camping trip adapted to walking - needs a different mind set. Balanced meals don't matter for 2 days - calories do.

Bronze is only a couple of days and they will be very hungry so less picky than usual. Much more important considerations than taste

That makes perfect sense.

Don't do anything for them - not even adding raisins to porridge. The whole point of D of E is the learning curve. I'm not usually a 'hands off ' type parent but in this case it's really important if they are to get value from the experience. If you are worried about the organisers not being on the ball then suggest your DC shows you their plan so you can talk through any safety concerns ( with food that might be lack of calories or stuff that will go off). If they go hungry on DofE practice they will learn for next time. Obviously if they have health issues that's a very different situation.

The girls are sorting out their own food and rations, but they have little experience of what’s fastest to cook outdoors and how tired and hungry they will be from a day on the trail. Inevitably, someone inexperienced will suggest bringing, for example, perishables that will become unsafe before they reach the campsite, or something equivalent in bulk and purpose to a bear canister in SE England. Is it better to wait until the campsite team mocks them and (hopefully) dumps/confiscates?

Trowel is needed for wild camping. At bronze they are more likely to be on a campsite with facilities but they should know where they are staying!

Yes, they’re pitching on a campsite with facilities, but the 10-14km walk could bring them a bit further afield during the day... Maybe not.

Reasonable amount of experience as a leader so apologies for rant but we've seen it all. Right down to girls bringing make up bags hidden in their rucksacks....
Some young people hate the expeditions and it's just not for them but for others it can make a real difference to their maturity.
Hope they all have successful trips.

Don’t apologise for a second. We have zero DofE experience.

[Reading Mum]

Vegetables, chopping, slicing.....
Sorry but No!

Weight and bulk are major issues - food should be ready prepared so chopping knives and board are not required.

Tbh I was probably thinking about silver as it was more recent. They set off on Monday and got back on Saturday so they had to go for things that would keep, plus they bought food on IoM before they set out on the trek bit

[KB]

If it's being done properly they should have training sessions before they go so they know how to put up tents in the rain, how to use cookers safely and to practice cooking different food types.

The leaders should provide advice on quantities required and the best food to take.

If not then they are leaving bronze participants in a difficult position. I'm out of date but would imagine there will be info online they can look at - just be mindful that it might not all be of the best quality


Mostly if they use toilets before they leave they seem to make it through without needing to go in a field during the day. If there are medical reasons why they might have an issue it should be raised with leaders. At bronze they are not going to be very remote so I doubt they'd want to go in full view. Public facilities will be marked on their maps so worth checking and marking on route card if leaders don't object.

Worrying about them being mocked in front of others is normal parental concern - me especially - but sometimes it's a much more effective teaching tool. You know your child though - for some it might put them off ever going again.

[Stroller]

They’ll be at the campsite on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The training happens on Friday, as well as pitching the tents, distribution of rucksacks by the expedition organisers to anyone who is borrowing one and general unpacking/packing and introduction to Trangias and survival reheating. They’ll learn loads that day, but as they’ll already be away from home, it will be too late to course correct for the practice expedition on Saturday/Sunday.

So far, there have been occasional talks at the school, but reality strikes best when the gear is in your hands.

No medical issues here, just trying to figure out which of the two kit lists we were given applies, as one mentioned a trowel and the other didn’t. From what you say, it’s probably not necessary this time. Thank you.