Last week, 27 St David’s students headed to the Brecon Beacons for their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) Silver Practice Expedition, putting their navigation, first aid and teamwork skills to the test over three days.
Over three days, they tackled challenging routes, camped for two nights, and carried everything they needed, from food and clothing to tents, roll mats, and more.
The expedition got underway on Friday, with students putting their first aid and navigation training into practice before heading out on a three-hour training walk with supervising staff.
Saturday provided an opportunity for the groups to take their learning a step further. With minimal staff contact and supervision from a distance, students were challenged to navigate independently and put their expedition skills to the test.
Fortunately, the weather was kind, and all groups successfully tackled the route towards the peak of the Brecon Beacons. One group even managed to cook noodles for lunch, providing a much-needed hot meal during their six-hour walk!
The final day presented the biggest challenge yet, with groups required to complete a complex route using everything they had learnt throughout the weekend. Three groups particularly impressed staff by completing the entire route without supervision.
After lunch, the conditions changed dramatically, with strong winds and driving rain making the final stages considerably more challenging. A kit malfunction added another obstacle for some of the groups, but the students rose to the challenge.
Despite a few navigational detours along the way, every group completed the final practice walk in high spirits. Throughout the expedition, the students demonstrated fantastic resilience, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
The experience has provided valuable preparation for their assessed expedition in just a couple of weeks, where they will have the opportunity to put everything they have learnt into practice.
We wish all 27 students the very best for their assessed expedition and look forward to hearing about their adventures!
