Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) Expeditions

Participant

Find out more about our 'open' DofE expeditions

School or Organisation

DofE expedition support for schools and organisations

Why Choose CTS for Your DofE Expeditions

Chase Training Solutions delivers Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions with passion, purpose, and a deep commitment to empowering young people. Our programmes go far beyond completing a section of the Award—they create transformative experiences that build confidence, resilience, independence, and lifelong skills.

A Heritage of Excellence

With 48 years of direct expedition delivery and 62 years of family involvement in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, CTS brings unrivalled experience to every programme. We have supported tens of thousands of young people and thousands of expedition teams, giving us a deep, practical understanding of how to deliver high‑quality expeditions in schools, youth organisations, and open settings.

Expert Staff Who Care

Our staff combine extensive outdoor qualifications with a genuine passion for youth development. They ensure every participant feels supported, challenged, and inspired—whether they are nervous first‑timers or experienced adventurers progressing to Silver or Gold.

Expeditions That Make a Difference

CTS expeditions are designed to be:

  • Fun and memorable

  • Challenging and rewarding

  • Safe, inclusive, and accessible

  • Fully aligned with DofE aims, principles, and outcomes

Young people leave our programmes with stronger teamwork, improved resilience, and a sense of achievement that lasts long after their expedition ends.

Open to All

We welcome participants from any background, school, centre, or organisation. Our inclusive approach ensures that every young person—regardless of experience or need—has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.

Trusted Across the UK

Schools, MATs, youth organisations, and DofE Licensed Centres choose CTS because we consistently deliver:

  • High‑quality training and supervision

  • Robust safety and risk management

  • Clear communication and reliable organisation

  • Programmes that uphold the true ethos of the DofE

Why Organisations Trust CTS with Their DofE Expeditions

Chase Training Solutions has an exceptional reputation across the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award community. DofE Licensed Organisations, National Operating Authorities, Directly Licensed Centres, Multi‑Academy Trusts, independent schools, and local authorities consistently choose CTS because we deliver the Expedition section to the highest standards. Many of these partners not only use us year after year—they also recommend our popular open expeditions to their participants and families.

Outstanding Standards, Safety & Best Practice

CTS is recognised nationally for:

  • Outstanding safety management

  • Robust best‑practice delivery

  • A commitment to the values, ethos, and spirit of the DofE

Every expedition is designed to meet the aim, principles, and outcomes of the Expedition section, while reflecting the wider guiding principles of the DofE programme. Schools and organisations trust CTS because they know their young people will receive a safe, meaningful, and high‑quality experience.

Open, Inclusive & Accessible to All

We operate an open and accessible‑to‑all policy, ensuring that young people remain at the heart of everything we do. Our programmes are built to be:

  • Fun

  • Memorable

  • Challenging

  • Valuable

This approach allows every participant—regardless of background, experience, or need—to benefit fully from their DofE expedition journey.

Supporting Young People with Additional Needs

CTS is widely recognised for its positive, practical support for young people with additional needs. We are regularly asked to deliver expeditions for:

  • Special educational needs schools

  • Specialist colleges

  • Individual participants joining our open expeditions

Our staff understand how to adapt, encourage, and empower, ensuring every young person can participate safely and successfully.

Leadership You Can Trust

Choosing CTS as your DofE Expedition Approved Activity Provider (AAP) gives participants, parents, and DofE Leaders complete assurance that the Expedition section is delivered by experts with unmatched experience.

CTS is led by a unique and highly experienced leadership team, with genuine in‑depth knowledge of:

  • The Expedition section

  • The wider DofE programme

  • Delivery across both informal and formal education settings

A Director with 52 Years of DofE Experience

Our founder and Director began his DofE journey in 1974, completing Bronze, Silver, and Gold before dedicating his life to supporting young people through the Award. His experience includes:

  • Organising, supervising, and assessing expeditions

  • Running and managing DofE groups (which he still does today)

  • Over ten years full‑time with the DofE charity as the Expedition Field Officer

  • Supporting Licensed Organisations to deliver high‑quality expeditions

  • Leading UK and overseas expeditions and Gold Residential projects

  • Serving on the DofE National Expedition Advisory Panel

  • Delivering outdoor training for adults involved in the Expedition section

His wider credentials further strengthen CTS’s leadership capability:

  • Former Mountain Rescue Team member

  • Expedition & Outdoor Leadership Technical Adviser for The Boys’ Brigade (England & Wales)

  • National DofE Ambassador for St John Ambulance

  • Professionally qualified youth worker

This depth of experience ensures CTS delivers expeditions that are safe, inclusive, meaningful, and fully aligned with the ethos and spirit of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

The CTS Difference

CTS doesn’t just run expeditions—we create transformative experiences that build confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills. Our reputation, leadership, and commitment to young people make us one of the most trusted DofE expedition providers in the UK.

Our Instructors: Skilled, Experienced & Exceptional with Young People

At CTS, we believe that delivering outstanding DofE expeditions requires far more than technical outdoor qualifications. That’s why all our instructors are handpicked, not just for the qualifications they hold or the years of experience they bring, but for the qualities that truly matter when working with young people.

Our team is selected for their:

  • Deep knowledge of the DofE Expedition section and the wider DofE programme

  • Commitment to safe, high‑quality practice

  • Enthusiasm, motivation, and positive energy

  • Ability to empower, inspire, encourage, and engage young people at all levels

  • Skill in promoting personal, social, and educative development

  • Focus on building confidence, self‑esteem, and enjoyment of the DofE

Outdoor qualifications alone—while essential for technical competency—do not develop the soft skills, leadership ability, or personal qualities required to positively deliver the Expedition section. This is why, when selecting staff to support and work with us, we look far beyond their outdoor qualifications. We choose instructors who can connect, communicate, and create meaningful experiences for young people.

Purposeful Engagement That Makes a Difference

We are proud of the many positive comments and endorsements we receive from schools, organisations, parents, and young people. These reflect the purposeful engagement, encouragement, and support our instructors provide throughout every expedition programme.

Young people consistently tell us that CTS staff:

  • Make them feel safe, supported, and capable

  • Help them overcome challenges with confidence

  • Encourage teamwork, independence, and resilience

  • Create fun, memorable, and meaningful expedition experiences

This feedback reinforces our belief that the right people make all the difference—and that our instructors are central to the success of every CTS expedition.