During a relaxing half term, pupils working towards their Silver Duke of Edinburgh award were working hard, tackling outdoor challenges to practice for their assessed expedition. The group, accompanied by Head of Outdoor Education Mr Steve Macpherson, headed to the Chiltern Hills to complete walking and navigating tasks. Thank you to Mr Macpherson for providing the following report:
‘This year’s practice expedition was centred around Albury in the Chiltern Hills, with the group starting from the Ashridge Estate and walking for three days. The group also had to camp at various campsites in the area, finding their own places to set up, after having carried the equipment with them.
The group travelled to the Chiltern Bunkhouse the night before the expedition, to carry out last minute preparations, and to allow them an early start the following day. The campsite was set in the middle of the Ashridge forest which was a great place to begin the expedition; the deer wandering through the clearing added a certain something to the scene! The morning of the expedition was unfortunately very wet – however, the heavy rain was due to ease as the day went on. The group impressed immediately with their positive attitude; they ignored the weather and got on with the task in hand with no fuss and a smile on their faces. The day did indeed dry out and everyone was pleased and relieved to be enjoying warm sunshine at the end of the day, a chance to dry out damp tents and equipment and to sit and enjoy the scenery.
Over the following two days the group continued to impress with both their navigation ability and their mature attitude to the expedition. The weather continued to be changeable but, luckily, there was no repeat of the heavy rain of day one. After three days of walking the group arrived at their final destination and were transported back to College. Tired, dirty and slightly pungent boys were handed back to parents and sent on their way to enjoy a well-deserved rest over the half term!
The group did very well and should have no issues with their assessed expedition in the slightly more challenging Brecon Beacons in the spring.’
