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Your Silver Award
Basic information
From duration, to what is involved, read everything you need to know about doing your DofE.
Timescales
It will take you at least 6 months for Silver if you’ve already achieved your Bronze, or 12 months if you have jumped straight into Silver.
– Volunteering section: 6 months
– Physical and Skills sections: One section for 6 months and the other section for 3 months
– Expedition section: Practice expedition 2 days/2 nights and Qualifying Expedition 3 days/2 nights
If you did not do Bronze, you must undertake a further 6 months in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.
What happens when I sign up?
DofE will email you a link to your eDofE account. This is where you log your progress through your DofE programme and where your DofE Manager, Miss A Mullins, checks the suitability of the activity you have selected, and approves your evidence for each section.
Once you have added your home address to your eDofE profile you will be sent a Welcome Pack with lots of helpful information and your personalised DofE Card so you can access discounts and offers on expedition kit, and other items. It can take some time for your pack to arrive so in the meantime you can download the contents here.
Now, you can start choosing what activities you want to do and decide your goals – although you do not have to wait until you get your Welcome Pack before you start planning your programme.
Once you have chosen your Assessors, and Miss A Mullins has approved your plans, you are ready to get going with your activities.
DofE App
If you are doing your DofE, the official smartphone app is for you.
Participants can use the DofE app to submit activities for approval, record evidence, submit programmes for completion, and more.
Plus, you can use it to sync important dates to your phone calendar and add your personalised DofE Card to your digital wallet, so you can make the most of your exclusive discounts.
Simply go to the App Store or Google Play on your phone, search ‘DofE’, download for free, use your eDofE details to log in — and you are ready to go.
Choosing Assessors
An Assessor checks on your progress and agrees the completion of a section of your programme. They must be independent. Therefore, they cannot be a member of your family.
An Assessor can be anyone who is interested in helping you to achieve, has some knowledge of the activity you are doing, and can be available over the time you are doing it. They will produce, or sign off the relevant Assessor’s report for that section, which is uploaded into eDofE.
From the local football club coach, to a charity shop manager, just about anyone can be an Assessor for the Volunteering, Physical, and Skills sections. Your Form Tutor, or one of your subject teachers can also be an Assessor as long as you submit enough evidence for them to assess what you have done.
If you are struggling to find Assessors, talk to your DofE Manager, Miss A Mullins.
The Assessor should have knowledge of the activity being undertaken, and be aware of your objectives. Give them the relevant sectional Assessor’s card from your Welcome Pack. The Assessor should also be available at key stages throughout your experience in order to assess your contribution and development.
Once a section is complete, the Assessor will meet with you to discuss your performance, experiences, and achievements.
The Assessor will also decide whether you have met the DofE requirements – that you have demonstrated effort, perseverance, improvement, and made progress towards your section goals. This information, along with comments from the Assessor, should be recorded on the Assessor’s report which can be submitted online.
Key Dates
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Kit List
It is highly recommended that you keep the weight of your rucksack as low as possible by packing carefully. Over 15kg starts to get very heavy and anything near 20kg is too heavy for most people.
The kit list below has been modified from the one produced by the DofE to reflect what we feel is needed. We have many years of experience as DofE leaders, but also as walkers and campers in our own right, and within a wide range of conditions and terrains. You can certainly expand beyond our recommendations but please note that it is the high weight of packs that is the most frequent complaint from young people undertaking their expeditions.
Please note that we are able to make reasonable adjustments for such things as hyper-mobile joints but this needs to be discussed in advance by speaking with Miss A. Mullins.
| Item Needed | Notes |
|---|---|
| Walking boots | DofE recommend over the ankle boots, however, depending on the terrain of your planned route, sturdy trail shoes may also be considered suitable. We have a few pairs of boots that can be lent out, if needed. |
| Three pairs of walking socks | Your spare pair of socks can also be worn at night to keep you warm. Three additional pairs of thin socks might be sensible if you are prone to blisters, but this is optional. |
| Waterproof jacket | This will be checked for prior to setting off on the expedition, regardless of the weather forecast. Shower resistant jackets will not be accepted. We have some jackets that can be lent out, if needed. ​ A waterproof jacket can be a useful additional layer to keep warm, particularly at the campsite, as they are also wind-proof. |
| Waterproof overtrousers | These will be checked for prior to setting off on the expedition, regardless of the weather forecast. We have some overtrousers that can be lent out, if needed. Waterproof trousers can be a useful additional layer to keep warm, particularly at the campsite, as they are also wind-proof. |
| Two T-shirts | One will be spare incase you get wet during the first day. The spare could then be used as nightwear to keep pack weight down. Try to avoid cotton t-shirts as they do not provide good temperature regulation, and are not quick-drying, or moisture-wicking. They are also heavy. A sports t-shirt would be a good alternative. |
| Two long sleeved tops | Consider including a light weight fleece or a thin insulated jacket rather than two cotton tops (see t-shirts). Even if it is warm during the day, it can get cold at night, even during the summer. |
| Walking trousers/leggings | Not jeans or tracksuit bottoms as they do not insulate sufficiently once wet, and are slow to dry. Shorts are not to be worn to walk in due to the risk of tick bites and transmission of Lymes disease, and this will be checked for before setting off on the expedition. |
| Flip flops | If walking boots get wet then it can be useful to have a change of shoes for camp. Do remember, however, that you are trying to keep your pack weight down. |
| Sunhat/sunglasses | You will be out for 6 hours each day, and often without shade, so think about how to protect yourself. |
| Warm hat | Even during the summer, it can be cold at night, and so this will be checked for prior to setting off on the expedition. |
| Pair of gloves | Even during the summer, it can be cold at night, and so these will be checked for prior to setting off on the expedition. |
| Rucksack | Your rucksack needs to be large enough to fit everything that you need inside of it. If you have kit on the outside of your pack, it can be lost or damaged. If you have a particularly large pack, resist filling it! A sturdy rucksack hip belt is recommended to take the weight off your shoulders. |
| Rucksack liner | You can buy rucksack liners, but bin liners work just as well. A liner will be checked for prior to setting off on the expedition. If you have a waterproof rucksack cover we will still require a rucksack liner as water can work its way in around the sides. We can not risk sleeping bags and spare clothing becoming wet as this represents a significant Health and Safety risk. |
| Sleeping bag | Non-bulky, warm sleeping bags can be expensive. We would recommend that you wear a hat, gloves, and your spare dry clothing at night to keep warm rather than spending lots of money. We have some sleeping bags that can be lent out, if needed. |
| Sleeping mat | Much body heat will be lost through the ground and so we would recommend an air-filled mat rather than the yoga style mats. Click here for an example, and remember to use your DofE discount card. We have some sleeping mats that can be lent out, if needed. |
| Whistle | This can be a useful way to gain attention if there is a first aid emergency, although students are not walking in a remote area. |
| Torch | If students were to get (very) lost a torch may be required. It will also be required at camp. A torch will be checked for prior to setting off on the expedition. It does not have to be a head torch, although this does keep hands free. |
| Personal first aid kit | Staff will be carrying first aid kits but students should have some plasters, a bandage, personal medication, and sun screen. This will be checked prior to setting off on the expedition. Insect repellant might also be advisable. |
| Water bottle | Students must carry at least 1 litre of water. This will be checked prior to setting off on the expedition. Staff will have spare water with them to top up supplies en-route. |
| Cutlery/plate/bowl/mug | This is where weight can really start to add up so be careful! You could use a spork, or eat your meals and drink a hot drink all from just a mug. |
| Personal hygiene items | There will not be a shower available at the campsite. There are sinks for having a wash and cleaning your teeth. Think before you pack a towel as this will add weight. If you have long hair you could plait it rather than bring a hairbrush. |
| Watch | A watch is advised so that you can keep to your routecard timings. You must not wear a smartwatch. |
| Tent | School have a supply of 3 man tents that students can borrow. Students will need to carry their tents and so must leave appropriate space in their packs. |
| Camping stove | School will provide a camping stove which students will have to carry and so they must leave appropriate space in their packs. Staff will carry the fuel and provide lighters and matches at the campsite. Students must not carry lighters or matches as the Peak District is often at high risk for fires. We want to ensure that our students are above reproach should a fire occur in their locale. |
| Pot wash cloth, washing-up liquid, teatowel | You do not each need to bring this. Allocate this responsibility to one member of the team. |
| Maps/compass | These will be provided by the school. |
| Survival bag | This will be provided by the school. |
| Food | Please look under the Expedition Food tab for guidance with this. |
Expedition Food
Making a meal together is one of the best team-building activities of the Expedition section. Do not think of expedition food as dull! This is a great opportunity for you to be creative and show off your skills.
You must cook at least one hot meal per day during your DofE expedition to show that you can use a cooking stove effectively in the outdoors. You do not have to cook on the last day of your expedition.
We do not allow students to carry fuel or matches due to the high fire risk in the Peak District during the summer, and so lunch or snacks whilst you are walking must not require cooking.
The key principles of expedition food
You should design an expedition menu that thinks about the following:
- Try to pack as much energy (or calories) into the least weight and volume possible. You may need between 3,000 and 5,000 calories each day.
- Choose foods that are high in sugars, carbohydrates and fats.
- Take food you like and enjoy and everyone in your team can eat, which are quick and simple to cook and will keep for the duration of your expedition, even in hot weather.
- Dried, cured, smoked, or vegetarian foods will usually last well.
- Think about keeping weight and litter down by removing packaging and cooking as a team.
- Make sure all food is packed and waterproofed so that it will stand up to being squashed in your rucksack, being dropped, or even sat on.
Meal inspiration
Breakfast
It is good practice to start the day with a substantial breakfast.
This can include cereals, muesli, porridge, noodles, or even a full English with tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Please remember though that you will not have a fridge with you so any meat should be carried frozen in your rucksack on the Friday to slowly defrost for the Saturday morning. We would not recommend items that require a fridge being consumed beyond Saturday morning. Also remember that you will be setting of very early on the Sunday and so keeping washing-up to a minimum is a good idea!
Top tip:
“Make up your own porridge before you go with oats, nuts, fruit, and muesli, then add milk powder. Once you are on your expedition, simply add hot water to make quick porridge.” Caroline Hague, DofE Supervisor
Lunch
Lunch is usually eaten while you are on the go, so picnic or ‘packed lunch’ style foods that do not need to be heated or kept chilled are ideal.
Ideas for lunches include sandwiches, pitta bread, or wraps with other high energy foods like flapjacks, cereal bars, nuts, dried fruit, biscuits, sweets, jelly, mint cake, and so on.
Wraps with nutella seem to be a firm favourite of St Mary's students!
Top tip:
“Make up bags with the correct amount of tea or coffee, plus sugar and milk powder for a single drink. Then simply tip the contents into a cup and add hot water – easy!” Andrew Kenyon, DofE Supervisor and Assessor
Dinner
With practice and planning, even on one stove, you could produce a hot three-course meal in a short amount of time.
Soup, curry, stews, pasta, bangers and smash, or noodle stir fry are all great expedition meals and can be followed up with a hot or cold pudding, such as chocolate cake or crumble and custard.
We do allow students to use the pre-packed camping meals such as Wayfayrer or Trekmates for Silver DofE as this helps to keep pack volume and weight down. However, they can be expensive.
Top tip:
“Ask for packets of mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup, milk, salt etc from a local café. They keep well and make meals taste better. For longer trips a little pot of garlic or chilli powder can spice up basic food. Keep them in a small container to protect them.” Dr Simon Young, DofE Manager
Find out more about food on your expedition here.
What food and cookware should I avoid taking on my expedition?
| What? | Why? |
|---|---|
| Glass | Glass is heavy to carry and could break in your rucksack |
| Tinned food | Tinned items are bulky and heavy to carry and might also need a tin opener |
| Food which requires refrigeration e.g. cheese, fresh meat, fresh milk, butter | These will go off and some can melt in hot weather although meat might be possible if you carry it frozen so it defrosts during the day |
| Eggs | Eggs are likely to crack in your bag and will go off |
| Crisps | Crisps take up a lot of room as they are in bulky packaging and get crushed easily |
| Chocolate | Chocolates could melt in your bag |
| Pot noodles | Pot noodles take up a lot of room as they are in very bulky packaging which can split easy- they are also not considered as a main meal by DofE |
| Energy drinks | Energy drinks use an excessive amount of fast burning energy sources and are not good for you |
Support with Route Cards
When you are writing your route card, use the following 'recipe'.
- Type of Path Footpath, Bridleway, Byway, National Trail, Orange Road, Yellow road
- Direction N, S, E, W, SE, NW etc.
- Distance 300m, 0.5km, 1.2km etc.
- Distinguishing features Through woods, past Rectory Farm, uphill, downhill, across path junction, river on left etc.
- To a point where either you change direction or the path type changes
- Timing You will be walking at about 4-5km an hour, but remember to include plenty of time for navigation checks, breaks, and lunch
For example:
- Footpath SW for 400m past mast to cross paths, then bridleway W for 1.5km downhill to junction with orange road.
- Byway N 1km past Joe’s farm to junction with road, 200m West on road then bridleway N to Green Woods.
- Footpath N, curving NE 1.5km to Manor house, then bridleway E 500m past church
If you cannot remember your map symbols, do a google search, but they will be on the map that we provide for your expedition.
You will need to include 6-figure grid references:
You will need to include whether you are walking up hill or down hill:
Countryside Code
C
