Open Gold Expeditions

TrekCo run a programme of Open Expeditions at Gold level for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Those participants who can’t, for a variety of reasons, either find a group locally or participate at the same time as their local group may sign up independently for an Open Expedition.

BOOK TODAY FOR JUST £310

How does this work with my DofE? – We are an Approved Activity Provider (AAP) for Expeditions. This means that we are approved and licensed by the DofE to run expeditions. You will need to inform your Operating Authority, often your school, college or local council group, that you are completing your Expedition with us.

Click here for the DofE website information page on how AAPs work.

In each case, Day 1 is arrival/preparation day, and days 2-5 are expedition days.

If you have a group of 4 or more, you can:
– do practise or qualifying on any expedition whether it is listed as practise or qualifying;
– modify the dates of the expedition if we are able to accommodate them;
– have a reduced price to reflect our having less administration.

Availability – this page is regularly updated; all of our trips normally go ahead as we co-ordinate these to have sufficient participants.

Our Open Expeditions are co-ordinated with our programme for schools and are usually held in the Peak District (‘Dark Peak’ area) or Lake District; however expedition guidelines have changed and we are able to offer practise expeditions in the Ashdown Forest in Sussex, just 30 miles from London and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Our expeditions include:

• Expeditions meet at a location you can reach by train.

• Day 1 is arrival/preparation day, and days 2-5 are expedition days.

• Arrival and preparation on the day before the expedition (both practice and qualifying). This allows you to organise the final details of your kit, liaise with others in your group, organise food and discuss your previous experience with us. We will guide you through this preparatory day every step of the way – don’t worry!

• An Expedition Information Pack with all you need to know about your expedition, including detailed information on how to get to the meeting point, and a complete kit list.

• Your camping fees during the expeditions are all included.

• All group equipment is free. We provide tents, stoves, fuel, group shelter and everything else you’ll need for your expedition.

• We will discuss your previous experience, go over the DofE requirements, brush up on your mapwork and help you plan your route.

• Supervision throughout the expedition.

• We provide Assessors for the qualifying expedition – they will discuss your progress and provide feedback and encouragement throughout your qualifying expedition.

Group numbers

There is a minimum group of four participants for expeditions; if this number of participants is not reached then the expedition will not run and you will be offered a transfer or a full refund. However, this is very rare as we only organise expeditions on proven popular dates. No expeditions have been cancelled in recent years.

What do I need to provide?

• You need to get yourself to the meeting point, usually a railway station, at the start of the expedition; and arrange to leave from that point at the end.

• You should provide your own personal gear – this is in the kit list but is essentially kit such as waterproofs, boots, sleeping bag, mat and so on – we do have a free loan service, but you must tell us in advance on the form provided.

• Food – it’s part of the DofE that you supply your own food. We recognise that until you meet up with the group this is difficult, so you’ll need to have planned as if you’re cooking for yourself - but most people co-operate with the others in their group.

How do I join?

Call our office on 01273 487509 for an initial talk, or just go to the ‘Book Your Expedition’ page and sign up straight away! Payments can also be made by bank transfer or credit card via PayPal – just ask us for the details.

What preconditions do I have to meet?

• You must be aged 16 to 24

• If you’re only coming for the Qualifying Expedition, we’ll need to see your evidence of having completed a Practice Expedition for Gold - usually from your eDofE.

• You must be in a suitable condition physically to complete a 4 day expedition in upland countryside safely in the opinion of our instructors.