Bespoke DofE Expeditions

Custom DofE expeditions for Schools, Youth Groups & Organisations

Chase Training Solutions is recognised as one of the foremost DofE expedition providers in the country, having 45 years' experience, and acclaimed for organising and running high quality, fun and affordable DofE expeditions within the voluntary and statutory sectors at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, successfully supporting tens of 1000’s of young people through their expedition training, practice and qualifying expeditions, and 1000’s of Expedition Teams.

We have an excellent reputation within the DofE Head Office, DofE Licenced Organisations, National Operating Authorities, Directly Licenced Centres, Multi-Academy Trusts, independent schools, and local authorities, for delivering the Expedition section to the highest standards, and who regularly use us as their ‘preferred provider’, as well as recommending and booking participants onto our popular ‘open’ expeditions.

Using CTS as your DofE expedition provider, gives you, your participants, and their parents, the assurance that the delivery of the Expedition section is in the best possible hands. We are managed by a unique leadership team, that has a genuine ‘second-to-none’ and unparalleled knowledge and understanding of the Expedition section, the wider DofE programme, and experience in its delivery within a range of settings, including informal and formal education. We are guided by our founder and Director, who started his current 49 years long DofE journey in 1974, by completing Bronze, Silver and Gold awards, before continuing his involvement by organising, supervising and assessing expeditions, as well as managing and running DofE groups. He also worked over ten years full-time for the DofE Charity as the Expedition Field Officer, assisting with the development of the Expedition section, organising and leading UK and overseas DofE expeditions, sitting on the DofE’s National Expedition Advisory Panel, and delivering outdoor training for adults involved with the Expedition section. He is a former Mountain Rescue Team member; the Expedition and Outdoor Leadership Technical Adviser for The Boys’ Brigade (England & Wales), the National Duke of Edinburgh's Award President for St John Ambulance; and a professionally qualified youth worker.

CTS is renowned for safety, ‘best practice’ and keeping within the values, ethos and spirit of the DofE, ensuring that participants meet both the aim and benefits of the Expedition section and the wider DofE programme, achieving all of the positive outcomes from their participation, that are focused on youth work values and principles. These values underpin the key principles of youth work practice and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award: Active participation and empowerment of young people; Voluntary engagement by young people; Non-formal education and informal learning; Equality, equity, diversity and inclusion. The benefits of participation must impact positively on young people both in that they should get personal benefit from taking part and other young people should be able to share in the outcomes of what they achieve. This form of youth work intervention adds value to the lives of all young people, helping them develop lasting skills and attributes.

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Offering a bespoke service, to ensure that your exact requirements are met, whether this be a series of sessions delivered at your school/centre or specially designed residential training sessions. Leaving this aspect and delivery to us, takes the stress and hassle of organising expeditions away from yourself as a DofE Manager or Coordinator.

The updated Expedition section Aim and Requirements, for planning and undertaking DofE expeditions, offer more flexibility and choice which, for many young people, empowers them to feel able to do their DofE when they might not have before. The updates are designed to remove barriers for young people who might otherwise feel they cannot take part in a DofE expedition – such as those with medical conditions or who require specialist support – while losing none of the quality and challenge that makes a DofE Award such a highly recognised achievement. If you feel that your participants would benefit from the flexibilities offered, contact us to find out how we can help them get the most out of their Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition programme.

We are acclaimed for positively supporting young people with additional needs, young offenders, those who are marginalised or at risk; and have over 30 years' experience of delivering restricted space DofE expeditions (yes, they really have been permitted for that length of time!) in a variety of environments, extending the Expedition section experience to all young people. Watch, having been asked by the DofE Charity, how we supported young people from 'Young at Heart', through the organisation and delivery of a restricted space Bronze qualifying expedition at Blackwell Adventure in Worcestershire. We empowered the participants to develop an expedition that was fun and memorable, meeting the aim and benefits of the Expedition section and their own needs 💜

Our support of the DofE Expedition section is UK wide, at all levels of the Award, and in dozens of schools and organisations, including Staffordshire, Birmingham & West Midlands, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Cheshire, Herefordshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Coventry & Warwickshire, Somerset, Devon, London, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Middlesex, Yorkshire; and are continually expanding across the country!

We would welcome the opportunity to visit your school or organisation to discuss your requirements and produce a bespoke expedition programme that fits within your budget and one that the participants will enjoy, meeting the 'Aim and Requirements' of the Expedition section, i.e. The environment chosen must become progressively more challenging through the award levels – environments could include rural, urban or restricted spaces; There should be a reasonable gap between the practice and qualifying expeditions,  etc. Contact us to find out how we can help you get the most out of your Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition programme.

The positive feedback we receive, endorses the way in which we facilitate success and fun, generating memorable, challenging and valuable experiences in the DofE Expedition section, enabling young people to learn and develop holistically, as we guide and support them to further their personal, social and educative development during our DofE expedition programmes. This fosters the true ethos and spirit of the DofE; including the purpose and values of the DofE’s ‘Youth Without Limits’ strategy and, due to our level of attention to these factors, we are recognised as being one of the foremost DofE expedition providers in the country.

Did you Know? 
In 2019, we were selected, from all other Approved Activity Provider's across the country, and asked by the DofE Charity, to deliver the Expedition section for a pilot project (Bridging the Gap) using funding released by the Trustees, to engage with young people from diverse backgrounds in the Birmingham and surrounding areas, making the DofE more accessible and relevant to them. We were asked to support the project in acknowledgment of the quality of the expeditions we run and the positive way in which we engage with young people, meeting the aim and benefits of the DofE programme. It's a great privilege and is testament to the work that we do and the support we give young people during our expedition programmes. The project has also led to the development of the DofE’s ‘Youth Without Limits’ strategy.

Chase Training Solutions is recognised as one of the foremost DofE expedition providers in the country, having 45 years' experience, and acclaimed for organising and running high quality, fun and affordable DofE expeditions within the voluntary and statutory sectors at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, successfully supporting tens of 1000’s of young people through their expedition training, practice and qualifying expeditions, and 1000’s of Expedition Teams.

We have an excellent reputation within the DofE Head Office, DofE Licenced Organisations, National Operating Authorities, Directly Licenced Centres, Multi-Academy Trusts, independent schools, and local authorities, for delivering the Expedition section to the highest standards, and who regularly use us as their ‘preferred provider’, as well as recommending and booking participants onto our popular ‘open’ expeditions.

Using CTS as your DofE expedition provider, gives you, your participants, and their parents, the assurance that the delivery of the Expedition section is in the best possible hands. We are managed by a unique leadership team, that has a genuine ‘second-to-none’ and unparalleled knowledge and understanding of the Expedition section, the wider DofE programme, and experience in its delivery within a range of settings, including informal and formal education. We are guided by our founder and Director, who started his current 49 years long DofE journey in 1974, by completing Bronze, Silver and Gold awards, before continuing his involvement by organising, supervising and assessing expeditions, as well as managing and running DofE groups. He also worked over ten years full-time for the DofE Charity as the Expedition Field Officer, assisting with the development of the Expedition section, organising and leading UK and overseas DofE expeditions, sitting on the DofE’s National Expedition Advisory Panel, and delivering outdoor training for adults involved with the Expedition section. He is a former Mountain Rescue Team member; the Expedition and Outdoor Leadership Technical Adviser for The Boys’ Brigade (England & Wales), the National Duke of Edinburgh's Award President for St John Ambulance; and a professionally qualified youth worker.

CTS is renowned for safety, ‘best practice’ and keeping within the values, ethos and spirit of the DofE, ensuring that participants meet both the aim and benefits of the Expedition section and the wider DofE programme, achieving all of the positive outcomes from their participation, that are focused on youth work values and principles. These values underpin the key principles of youth work practice and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award: Active participation and empowerment of young people; Voluntary engagement by young people; Non-formal education and informal learning; Equality, equity, diversity and inclusion. The benefits of participation must impact positively on young people both in that they should get personal benefit from taking part and other young people should be able to share in the outcomes of what they achieve. This form of youth work intervention adds value to the lives of all young people, helping them develop lasting skills and attributes.

Image

Offering a bespoke service, to ensure that your exact requirements are met, whether this be a series of sessions delivered at your school/centre or specially designed residential training sessions. Leaving this aspect and delivery to us, takes the stress and hassle of organising expeditions away from yourself as a DofE Manage or Coordinator.

The updated Expedition section Aim and Requirements, for planning and undertaking DofE expeditions, offer more flexibility and choice which, for many young people, allows increased flexibility, empowering them to feel able to do their DofE when they might not have before. More flexibility leads to more innovation and greater inclusion. If you feel that your participants would benefit from the flexibilities offered, contact us to find out how we can help them get the most out of their Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition programme.

We are acclaimed for positively supporting young people with additional needs, young offenders, those who are marginalised or at risk; and have over 30 years' experience of delivering restricted space DofE expeditions (yes, they really have been permitted for that length of time!) in a variety of environments, extending the Expedition section experience to all young people. Watch how we supported young people from 'Young at Heart', through the organisation and delivery of a restricted space Bronze qualifying expedition at Blackwell Adventure in Worcestershire. We empowered the participants to develop an expedition that was fun and memorable, meeting the aim and benefits of the Expedition section and their own needs 💜

Our support of the DofE Expedition section is UK wide, at all levels of the Award, and in dozens of schools and organisations, including Staffordshire, Birmingham & West Midlands, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Cheshire, Herefordshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Coventry & Warwickshire, Somerset, Devon, London, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Middlesex, Yorkshire; and are continually expanding across the country!

We would welcome the opportunity to visit your school or organisation to discuss your requirements and produce a bespoke expedition programme that fits within your budget and one that the participants will enjoy, meeting the 'Aim and Requirements' of the Expedition section, i.e. The environment chosen must become progressively more challenging through the award levels – environments could include rural, urban or restricted spaces; There should be a reasonable gap between the practice and qualifying expeditions,  etc. Contact us to find out how we can help you get the most out of your Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition programme.

The positive feedback we receive following our expeditions, endorses the way in which we facilitate success and fun, generating memorable, challenging and valuable experiences in the DofE Expedition section, enabling young people to learn and develop holistically, as we guide and support them to further their personal, social and educative development during our DofE expedition programmes. This fosters the true ethos and spirit of the DofE; including the purpose and values of the DofE’s ‘Youth Without Limits’ strategy and, due to our level of attention to these factors, we are recognised as being one of the foremost DofE expedition providers in the country.

Did you Know?

In 2019, we were selected, from all other Approved Activity Provider's across the country, and asked by the DofE Charity, to deliver the Expedition section for a pilot project (Bridging the Gap) using funding released by the Trustees to engage with young people from diverse backgrounds in the Birmingham and surrounding areas, making the DofE more accessible and relevant to them. We were asked to support the project in acknowledgment of the quality of the expeditions we run and the positive way in which we engage with young people, meeting the aim and benefits of the DofE programme. It's a great privilege and is testament to the work that we do and the support we give young people during our expedition programmes. The project has also led to the development of the DofE’s ‘Youth Without Limits’ strategy.

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Our bespoke expedition programmes cost (no increase for 2023/2024 Academic Year!)

Bronze (4 Day)

£135.00* (Per Participant)
1 Day classroom-based (Food & Cooking; Campcraft; Clothing & Equipment; Rucksack Packing; Route Planning)
1 Day instructor-led navigation training (Navigation & Compass Skills: map orientation; locating position from the map - ability to identify appropriate features from the map to assist navigation or location finding and understand how these features may affect journey times e.g., contour lines; map symbols; compass  - cardinal and the four intercardinal points. Plus: Emergency Procedures; Countyside Code)
2 Day Qualifying expedition

Intended for participants with camping/navigation experience, i.e. through Scouts, Boys’ Brigade, Girls’ Brigade, Girlguiding, family camping , etc.

Bronze (5 Day)

£165.00* (Per Participant)
1 Day classroom-based (Food & Cooking; Campcraft; Clothing & Equipment; Rucksack Packing; Route Planning)
1 Day instructor-led navigation training (Navigation & Compass Skills: map orientation; locating position from the map - ability to identify appropriate features from the map to assist navigation or location finding and understand how these features may affect journey times e.g., contour lines; map symbols; compass  - cardinal and the four intercardinal points. Plus: Emergency Procedures; Countyside Code)
1 Day practice walk (Remotely supervised and unaccompanied with additional instruction)
2 Day Qualifying expedition

**Intended for participants with little or no camping/navigation experience, therefore, meeting the full requirements of the Expedition Training Framework.

Bronze (6 Day)

£195.00* (Per Participant)
1 Day classroom-based (Food & Cooking; Campcraft; Clothing & Equipment; Rucksack Packing; Route Planning)
1 Day instructor-led navigation training (Navigation & Compass Skills: map orientation; locating position from the map - ability to identify appropriate features from the map to assist navigation or location finding and understand how these features may affect journey times e.g., contour lines; map symbols; compass  - cardinal and the four intercardinal points. Plus: Emergency Procedures; Countyside Code)
2 Day overnight practice expedition (Remotely supervised and unaccompanied with additional instruction, including camping experience)
2 Day Qualifying expedition

Intended for participants who wish to undertake the full and traditional Bronze DofE Expedition section experience.

Silver (7.5 Day)

£255.00* (Per Participant)
1 Day classroom-based (Food & Cooking; Campcraft; Clothing & Equipment; Rucksack Packing; Route Planning)
1 Day instructor-led navigation training (Navigation & Compass Skills: map orientation; locating position from the map - ability to identify appropriate features from the map to assist navigation or location finding and understand how these features may affect journey times e.g., contour lines; map symbols; compass  - cardinal and the four intercardinal points; determining the direction of footpaths or direction of travel. Plus: Emergency Procedures; Countyside Code)
2 day/2 night Practice expedition (Remotely supervised and unaccompanied with additional instruction)

3 Day Qualifying expedition

Intended for participants who have completed the full Bronze Award.

Silver (8 Day)

£295.00* (Per Participant)
1 Day classroom-based (Food & Cooking; Campcraft; Clothing & Equipment; Rucksack Packing; Route Planning)
1 Day instructor-led navigation training (Navigation & Compass Skills: map orientation; locating position from the map - ability to identify appropriate features from the map to assist navigation or location finding and understand how these features may affect journey times e.g., contour lines; map symbols; compass  - cardinal and the four intercardinal points; determining the direction of footpaths or direction of travel. Plus: Emergency Procedures; Countyside Code)
3 day/2 night Practice expedition (Remotely supervised and unaccompanied with additional instruction)

3 Day Qualifying expedition

Intended for participants who are Direct Entrants or who wish to undetake the full DofE Expedition section experience.

Gold (11 Day)

£450.00* (Per Participant)
1 Day classroom-based (Food & Cooking; Campcraft; Clothing & Equipment; Rucksack Packing; Route Planning)
1 Day instructor-led navigation training (Navigation & Compass Skills: map orientation; locating position from the map - ability to identify appropriate features from the map to assist navigation or location finding and understand how these features may affect journey times e.g., contour lines; map symbols; compass  - cardinal and the four intercardinal points; determining the direction of footpaths or direction of travel, travelling on a bearing. Plus: Emergency Procedures; Countyside Code)
4 Day Practice expedition - including required acclimatisation day if held in 'wild country' (Remotely supervised and unaccompanied with additional instruction)
5 Day Qualifying expedition - including required acclimatisation day if held in 'wild country'

*Prices quoted are subject to VAT, however, most schools and VAT registered organisations are usually able to reclaim the VAT charged on the invoices we raise for delivery of the Expedition section.

Costs at all levels are based on a minimum number of twelve participants. A smaller number of participants can be catered for, and the cost will be determined and agreed through consultation with the school or organisation.

The above models of delivery are by no means ‘set in stone’ and we can be flexible regarding the approach we use to ensure successful completion of the Expedition section for the young people taking part, i.e. training split over two weekends; mid-week days, combined training and practice expedition; residential training days (additional charges may apply), etc., and all designed to meet the DofE Expedition Training Framework for the environment chosen, i.e. rural, urban or restricted spaces, and the Expedition Aim & Requirements.

**The following sentences are included in the Expedition Training Framework to ensure that the appropriate training programme is in place and delivered for participants:

‘The training plan for a DofE team should be a progressive process with skills being acquired on training sessions and then practised in the outdoor environment until participants are capable of carrying out the skills without support or adult intervention.’

‘The DofE Leader must mark the training as complete on eDofE, once the Expedition Supervisor is satisfied the participants have evidenced the required competence. It is important to note that the Licensed Organisation or Approved Activity Provider is responsible for ensuring all participants are adequately trained and safe to complete a remotely supervised qualifying expedition.’

We do not compromise the safety of young people, the positive experiences for young people taking part, their enjoyment, or the importance of the training topics indicated in the DofE Expedition Training Framework, hence the longer training period than that delivered by some other providers, or by offering 'back-to-back' practice and qualifying expeditions. The training required cannot be effectively achieved in one day or through online sessions!

What's included

  • Complete support before, during and after the expedition programme
  • In-school meetings to discuss school and participant needs; meeting staff, participants and parents
  • Assembly presentations to promote DofE/Expedition section
  • Expedition administration and paperwork, including assistance with EV paperwork, schedules and risk assessments
  • Comprehensive pre-expedition paperwork for participants and parents, including consent forms, kit lists, etc.
  • High quality and comprehensive training programme that ensures each participant has the required skills, knowledge and confidence, to complete their practice and/or qualifying expeditions in a safe and enjoyable manner, which also helps to promote a positive experience whilst undertaking this aspect of their DofE programme
  • Online and downloadable resources for participants, supporting 'face-to-face' expedition training
  • Accessible expedition venues to meet the DofE 'Expedition Aim & Requirements' relating to the environment becoming progressively more challenging through the award levels
  • Customised expeditions for young people with additional needs, including physical and learning disabilities
  • Supportive supervision and instruction throughout the expedition programme from National Governing Body qualified, Enhanced DBS checked, and experienced 'hand-picked' professional instructors, who have the ability to empower, inspire, encourage and engage with young people at all levels
  • Engagement with participants that meet the values, ethos and spirit of the DofE
  • A dedicated Expedition Coordinator, who manages your expedition programme and oversees all instructors, participants, and safety procedures
  • DofE Accredited Assessors for all qualifying expeditions
  • Post expedition reviews with participants and leaders
  • Completion of online eDofE Assessor Reports
  • Campsite fees for participants and accompanying school/organisation staff