Wed 24 Apr 2019
The academy’s first cohort of DofE students had their first official training session on Tuesday 23 April. Jane, our Operations Officer from the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, trained the students in the different aspects of how to be successful on an expedition. The training included: reading a map, taking bearings with a compass, designing a meal plan, packing rucksacks properly, pitching tents, using a stove safely and planning routes to name but a few skills.
The training does not end here though, as students will be going out to Fairburn Ings in early May to put their skills into practice, navigating around the public footpaths and bridleways into the evening.
After this, the Year 9 bronze students will be out on an expedition at the beginning of July at Silverwood Campsite in Silkstone for their qualifying expedition. During the expedition, students will walk north to Cannon Hall followed by a walk to the south on day two.
Silver students in Year 10 will be taking part in their practice expedition in June, again at Silverwood Campsite, before completing their three-day, two-night expedition walking from Bolton Abbey to Curly Hill on day one; Curly Hill to Bramhope over Ilkley Moor on day two and finishing day three with a circular loop of Bramhope.
Good luck to all our intrepid explorers!