Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award

Training & Qualifying Expeditions open to all Gold DofE level participants.

Why Choose Chase for your Expeditions?

We are recognised as one of the leading DofE Approved Activity Provider's (AAP) for expeditions in the UK, known for delivering high quality, memorable and affordable expeditions across all levels of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and have over 40 years experience, successfully supporting tens of 1000’s of young people through their expedition training, practice and qualifying expeditions. Therefore, we have a ‘second-to-none’ knowledge and understanding of the Expedition section, the wider DofE programme, and its delivery in a range of settings.

We have an outstanding reputation for safety, ‘best practice’ and keeping within the values, ethos and spirit of the DofE, embracing an ‘open and accessible to all’ policy.

We are able to offer fun, memorable, challenging and valuable experiences, which meet both the aim and benefits of the Expedition section and the wider DofE programme, and are open to all DofE participants from any background, DofE centre, group or organisation.

We have an excellent reputation with the DofE Head Office, DofE Regional Office’s, DofE Licenced Organisations, National Operating Authorities, Directly Licenced Centres, independent schools, local councils and organisations, 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.

We are proud of the many positive comments and endorsements we receive, following the purposeful engagement and support we give to young people during our DofE expedition programmes - Testimonials

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 Gold Expedition Training Framework, including an instructor led navigation day in appropriate terrain.

Download the Gold Expedition Training Framework

We deliver a comprehensive training programme for the Gold Expedition section that ensures each participant 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 Gold Expedition Training Framework, DofE Expedition Guide and The Handbook for DofE Leaders and is in keeping with the values, ethos and spirit of the DofE. The Expedition Training Framework states ‘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.’ This cannot be effectively achieved in one day!