DUKE OF EDINBURGH’ S AWARD
THE GOLD AWARD EXPEDITIONS
Over 40 students went to the Brecon Beacons( Bannau Brycheiniog) for our practice Gold Duke of Edinburgh’ s Award expedition. Surrounded by the beautiful hilly landscapes, and amid pleasant weather conditions, we hiked 15-25 kilometres( 9-15 miles) each day, if navigation was accurate, which alas for the group who climbed the wrong peak, it was not. I found it an incredible opportunity to spend time with my friends away from my phone and the looming summer exams and to relax, immersed in nature. I particularly enjoyed playing card games with my friends at the campsites.
Over the summer half-term, we travelled to Snowdonia( Eryri) for the qualifying expedition. For many groups this was much more challenging, with more difficult navigation and heavy rain. Additionally, the necessity of being completely self-sufficient and only being remotely monitored by teachers created a more testing environment of how well prepared we were. Despite this, I still thoroughly enjoyed the experience, as did many others. It was a wonderful memory that I can look back on as formative during my time at Sevenoaks. On the last night of the expedition, with 60mph winds howling, I thought it was character building for us to laugh through almost being blown away.
While the main part of the Gold award is the expedition, students must also complete a residential with strangers and spend a year and six months undertaking volunteering, physical and skilled activities, which often go unseen. The staff who help organise this are integral and I am incredibly grateful for all their help with the planning involved.
Eliza Muysken, Lower Sixth
98 TRIPS, CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES