At the end of Year 9, we decided to do our Bronze DofE award! We have to say it was one of the best camping experiences we’ve ever had!
We were taught so much by Mr Morton and the “very” helpful Sixth Formers every Friday where after school we planned our routes and learnt the basics of what we would need to know for our expedition in October. We did this for many weeks alongside the physical, skill and volunteering aspects of the award too. All in all, it took us just over six months with a lot of disagreements and bickering – however it all ended up going, just about, to plan!
In July we ventured off on our practice exped, walking for miles upon miles – or what felt like it – around Essex and Hertfordshire and eventually ending up in a field somewhere near Epping. Then all of a sudden it was October and we were a day away from our real expedition! In this we walked around and near Newport and camped over night in Audley End. We are pretty sure most people would say that we had a fab time apart from being far too cold!
Over all, DofE has been a great experience and has definitely taught us a lot about camping, putting up a tent and getting along with other people when you are incredibly grumpy from getting no sleep!
Scarlett and Tabitha Gray (Year 10).
