Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Training, Practice & Qualifying Expeditions open to all Gold DofE level participants.
Do you want to have fun, make new friends, meet a challenge, take away great memories, and have an amazing experience? Then look no further!
Our expeditions are fun, memorable and challenging, offering young people valuable experiences, which meet the aim, principles, and outcomes of the Expedition section and the guiding principles of the DofE programme, and are open to all DofE participants from any background, DofE centre, group or organisation.
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, as we guide and support them through their expeditions.
Gold DofE Practice Expedition
Our practice expeditions are open to individuals or any number of participants from a DofE group and you do not have to have completed the Gold expedition training with us! They also offer participants who are unable to form a team within their DofE centre, the opportunity to complete the practice element of the Expedition section. The expeditions are run by a team of experienced and qualified supervisors, all of whom have sound knowledge of the DofE. Route planning and pre-expedition checks take place the day before the start of your expedition, which also allows for the required ‘acclimatisation’ period.
Gold Qualifying Expedition
Our qualifying expeditions are open to individuals or any number of participants from a DofE group and you do not have to have completed the Gold expedition training or practice expeditions with us! They also offer participants who are unable to form a team within their DofE centre, the opportunity to complete the Expedition section. The expeditions are run by a team of experienced and qualified supervisors, all of whom have sound knowledge of the DofE. Route planning and pre-expedition checks take place the day before the start of your expedition, which also allows for the required ‘acclimatisation’ period.
Gold DofE Training
Participants are required to complete the compulsory expedition training at Gold level, to be signed off as competent to safely undertake their practice and qualifying expeditions. This is in addition to any previous training undertaken at Bronze or Silver levels and includes the topics outlined in the Expedition Training Framework. This includes an instructor led navigation day where you will learn the relevant skills to navigate in appropriate terrain.
We deliver a comprehensive training programme for the Gold Expedition section that ensures each participant of our Open Gold DofE Expeditions has the required skills, knowledge and confidence, to complete their practice and qualifying expeditions in a safe and enjoyable manner, which also helps to promote a positive experience whilst undertaking this aspect of their Gold DofE programme. We do not compromise safety, or the importance of the training topics that are required to be completed as part of the Expedition section, hence the longer training period than that delivered by some other providers. These are indicated in the Expedition Training Framework (which was designed to be delivered over 12-16hrs), DofE Expedition Guide and The DofE Leaders' Handbook and is in keeping with the values, ethos and spirit of the DofE. The Expedition Training Framework states ‘Expedition Supervisors and Leaders must ensure that participants are trained to an appropriate level for the nature of the expedition that they are going to be undertaking and its environment. The training plan for an expedition team should be a progressive process, with skills being acquired on training sessions and then practised in the outdoor environment until participants are able to carry out the skills without support or adult intervention.' It's worth noting that the training required cannot be effectively achieved in one day; through online training sessions or courses; or even a combination of both!
The training is run by a team of qualified and experienced instructors, all of whom have sound knowledge of DofE expeditions and includes the opportunity for participants to undertake the Expedition Training Framework, appropriate to the chosen environment, with emphasis on navigation techniques, that enables participants to develop greater confidence at navigating, as well as the other aspects required to successfully complete practice and qualifying expeditions. Training is a combination of classroom and outdoor based learning.
Costs (inclusive of VAT)
Your payment covers bunk house accommodation and food whilst at base, safety supervision, group equipment (tents & camping stoves), and campsite fees. As a team, you must bring your own food with you for the duration of the expedition and organise your own transport to the venue.
Combined Training & Practice Expedition |
£310 |
Practice or Qualifying Expedition |
£235 |
Training, Practice & Qualifying Expeditions |
£525 |
Important Information (please read before applying)
The environment chosen must become progressively more challenging through the award levels – environments could include rural, urban or restricted spaces and should be an appropriate challenge as participants progress through the levels. At Gold level, the leader should consider the expedition the group completed at Bronze and Silver or their level of experience and training and decide how to increase this challenge at Gold. Most Gold level expeditions will be remotely supervised in remote and unfamiliar outdoor environments to demonstrate the progressive challenge between levels. Expeditions can be made more challenging by choosing a location that is unfamiliar, more remote, and more challenging to navigate in.
Participants must be adequately trained to safely complete an expedition in the environment in which they will be operating.
Expeditions will usually take place between the end of March and the end of October.
DofE Leaders and young people can decide on what would be a reasonable gap between practice and qualifying expeditions. It’s worth bearing in mind factors such as age, level, amount of training, and mode of travel, before committing to a back-to-back expedition, and it is recommended by the DofE that there should be a reasonable gap between the two. It is stated in the current DofE Expedition Guide: ‘For most participants, progressive, separate practice and qualifying expeditions are far more likely to facilitate a positive experience and ensure participants complete their Expedition section.’ Therefore, as a responsible provider of quality DofE expeditions and experiences, and to ensure the safety of young people, maintain a positive and enjoyable experience for participants, and preserve the aim, principles, and outcomes of the Expedition section and the guiding principles the DofE programme, Chase Training Solutions do not schedule practice and qualifying expeditions 'back-to-back'.
At Gold level, you will need to complete expedition training, at least one practice expedition, followed by a 4-day qualifying expedition. If you complete training or practice with a school or other organisation, we will need acknowledgement/evidence that this has been completed.
The practice and qualifying expeditions will need to be in different locations, and become progressively more challenging or of an equal challenge, i.e. not using the same routes, campsites, a less challenging environment, etc., therefore, if using a CTS expedition in Mid-Wales for a practice expedition, then the CTS qualifying expedition will need to be undertaken in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park – Black Mountains area.
Contact Chase Training Solutions if you have any questions regarding any aspect of the Gold DofE Expedition Programme.
*1st / 6th April 2027 |
Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park – Black Mountains area |
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Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award Training & Practice Expedition |
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*29th May / 3rd June 2027 |
Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park – Black Mountains area |
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Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award Training & Practice Expedition |
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*The meeting point for all these expeditions is our bunkhouse facility at: Admiral Rodney Inn, Berrow Green, Martley, Worcestershire, WR6 6PL
Please Note: The finish point for the expedition will be different to the above address and we will advise you of this in good time!
*2nd / 6th April 2027 |
Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park – Black Mountains area |
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Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award Practice or Qualifying Expedition |
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*30th May / 3rd June 2027 |
Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park – Black Mountains area |
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Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award Practice or Qualifying Expedition |
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*18th / 22nd August 2027 |
Herefordshire |
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Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award Practice or Qualifying Expedition (non-wild country environment) |
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*19th / 23rd August 2027 |
Mid Wales |
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Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award Practice or Qualifying Expedition |
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Before applying, please download and read our Open Gold DofE Terms & Conditions