Last weekend, the Year 10s were delighted to go out on their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh expedition after covid restrictions had put residential expeditions and day trips on hold.
The girls had Friday for briefing and to practice their basic skills. They also had a short practice expedition. Usually the Bronze award expedition would be overnight and residential, but with distancing measures prohibiting tented accommodation, the girls went home in the evening to begin again the following day. On Saturday and Sunday they travelled out to the site in the morning and divided into groups to commence their trek in the picturesque Howardian Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. They would also set up and dismantle their tents every day, and cook a meal using the equipment they’d carried with them. By Sunday evening they were weary and rain spattered but even that couldn’t dampen their spirits. Well done, girls!
It was fun because our Year group was working as a team which was really nice. – Millie
I enjoyed it because it was team building and it was nice to get out in the fresh air. – Amy
It was also nice to see people in all sorts of different situations, to see people outside of school in situations that wouldn’t normally happen. – Morgan
The next scheduled Duke of Edinburgh expedition is the Silver Practice and Final, in June. Thanks to new guidance from the City of York Council, the girls will be able to do this as a residential trip, so they will be camping and carrying all of their equipment on a three-day expedition.
The Gold expedition is now scheduled to take place during the Autumn term.
For further information about the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, please see the D of E website.