Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Training, Practice & Qualifying Expeditions open to all Gold DofE level participants.
Want fun, new friends, a real challenge and unforgettable memories? CTS expeditions deliver all of it. Our programmes are open to every DofE participant and designed to be exciting, rewarding and fully aligned with the aims, principles, and outcomes of the Expedition section. The feedback we receive shows how much young people value the support, encouragement and confidence they gain as we guide them through their journey.
Gold DofE Practice Expedition
Our Gold practice expeditions are open to individuals or any number of participants from a DofE group — and you don’t need to have completed your Gold training with us to take part. They’re ideal for participants who cannot form a team within their own centre, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to complete the practice element of the Expedition section.
Each expedition is led by experienced, qualified supervisors with strong DofE knowledge and a proven record of safe, supportive delivery. Route planning and pre‑expedition checks take place the day before your expedition, giving you time to prepare properly and meet the required acclimatisation period before heading out.
Gold Qualifying Expedition
Our Gold qualifying expeditions are open to individuals or any number of participants from a DofE group — and you don’t need to have completed your Gold training or practice with us to take part. They’re ideal for participants who cannot form a team within their own centre, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to complete the Expedition section.
Each expedition is led by experienced, qualified supervisors with strong DofE knowledge and a proven record of safe, supportive delivery. Route planning and pre‑expedition checks take place the day before your expedition, giving you time to prepare properly and meet the required acclimatisation period before heading out.
Our focus is simple: expert supervision, thorough preparation, and a positive, confidence‑building experience that sets you up for success on your Gold journey.
Gold DofE Training
Gold participants must complete the compulsory expedition training to be signed off as competent for both their practice and qualifying expeditions. This builds on any previous Bronze or Silver training and covers the full Expedition Training Framework, including an instructor‑led navigation day where participants learn and practise essential skills in appropriate terrain.
Unlike providers who compress training into a single day or rely on online sessions, we deliver a thorough, progressive training programme that ensures every participant on our Open Gold Expeditions gains the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to complete their expeditions safely and enjoyably. We never compromise on safety or quality. Our training follows the guidance set out in the Expedition Training Framework (designed to be delivered over 12–16 hours), the DofE Expedition Guide and the DofE Leaders’ Handbook — all of which reflect the values, ethos and spirit of the Award.
The Framework is clear: Gold participants must be trained to a level where they can operate independently, with skills learned, practised and reinforced in real outdoor environments.
This cannot be achieved in a single day, through online sessions, or through a combination of short virtual modules. Gold training requires time, practice and expert guidance — and that’s exactly what CTS provides.
Expert Instructors, High‑Quality Training
Our Gold training is delivered by qualified, experienced instructors with strong DofE knowledge and a proven track record of safe, effective expedition delivery. Participants complete the full Expedition Training Framework for their chosen environment, with a strong emphasis on navigation skills that build confidence and competence for both practice and qualifying expeditions.
Training blends classroom learning with practical outdoor sessions, giving participants the chance to learn, practise and refine every skill required to operate independently and successfully at Gold level.
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