29th September 2014
Dear Parents/Guardians,
BRONZE DUKE OF EDINBURGH PRACTICE EXPEDITION FRIDAY 10TH – SATURDAY 11TH OCTOBER
Your daughter is taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze practice expedition on Friday 10th October
until Saturday 11th October and will take place in the Cotswolds. The purpose of the expedition is to train
the pupils in all the aspects of the expedition section of the Duke of Edinburgh bronze award.
The participants will be accompanied by a member of staff on the Friday morning and taught navigational
skills. Once they are sure the group can navigate alone they will arrange a check point and meet them
there. They are expected to carry all their equipment together with a first aid kit, sufficient emergency
rations, food for a nutritious evening meal and breakfast cooked outside on a trangia (gas powered stove).
I have attached a kit list which outlines the equipment the students must bring on their trip. The
participants will be camping at Pennwood Scout Camp, which is near Stroud.
The Duke of Edinburgh Office has recently produced a document highlighting best mobile phone practice
for use on expeditions. In their opinion they can be a valuable tool in ensuring safety. However, they
should be turned off, sealed in a plastic bag and only used in an emergency situation. Therefore, we ask
that your daughter does bring her fully charged mobile and sufficient credit for emergency use only.
The pupils will need to be at school at the usual time of 8.20am on Friday 10 th October with all their
equipment. Your daughter will need to be collected at 1:00pm on Saturday 11th October at the
Minchinhampton golf course car park (GL6 9BE). We would encourage you to share lifts with the parents of
the other group members to minimise congestion and to save fuel. If you are unable to collect your
daughter please email me by Friday 3rd of October.
Please be aware that expeditions may not run to time. It is always dependant on your daughters’ groups
walking speed and the conditions on that day. We will make every effort to contact you should the finish
time change significantly but ask for your understanding of the nature of this kind of expedition. If you
have any concerns or have received no contact from ourselves, Mr Perry is our emergency contact and his
telephone number is 07811 056 089.
Please complete the attached permission slip and return to Miss Radford at New pupil reception by
Monday 6th October.
Yours faithfully,
Naomi Francey
Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator
REPLY SLIP: Return to Anna Radford at Pupil reception
BRONZE DUKE OF EDINBURGH PRACTICE EXPEDITION FRIDAY 10TH – SATURDAY 11TH OCTOBER
Daughter’s name: ________________________________ Form: ______
I have read the letter regarding the forthcoming D of E practice expedition in the Cotswolds from Friday
10th to Saturday 11th October.
I understand that she needs to be collected at Minchinhampton golf course golf course car park at 1:00pm
on Saturday 11th October. I give permission for her to participate in the exercise and have completed the
necessary forms.
Signed_____________________________
Date____________
KIT LIST FOR BRONZE PRACTICE EXPEDITION OCTOBER 2014:
Please find below a kit list to aid you in your preparation for the Bronze practice
expedition. It will give you some ideas for the necessary gear you require to ensure both a balance between going as
light weight as possible with your own safety and comfort in mind.
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
• Full size rucksack and liner (The liner is to waterproof your rucksack)
• Boots (These should be sturdy with good ankle support and grip)
• Waterproof Jacket
• Waterproof Trousers
• Sleeping bag
• Carry mat
• Torch, spare batteries and bulb
• Mug, knife, fork and spoon, bowl
PERSONAL GEAR
Please remember our weather and come prepared for bad weather but do also consider good
weather. The main principles are to wear layers of light coloured clothing that allow adjustment on
the day.
• Hat - Woolly or Fleece Hat and a sun hat for good weather
• Scarf
• Gloves
• Long trousers
• T-Shirt or light shirt
• Light Fleece
• Spare change of clothing
EMERGENCY GEAR
• Emergency rations e.g. Chocolate, nuts, jelly, glucose tablets etc
(these should not to be eaten during the expedition)
• Whistle
• Insect repellent
• Your own Basic First Aid Kit e.g. plasters, any personal medication, head ache tablets*
• Sun block*
• Vaseline (Top tip apply to all areas of skin that may rub)
FOOD / LIQUID
• Water container
• Snacks while walking
• Packed lunch for the two days on the expedition for lunch.
• Food to cook for one evening meal.
• Food to cook for one breakfast.
GROUP EQUIPMENT
• Tents
• Trangia
• Gas fuel for trangia
• Matches (extra long as useful to lighting the trangia.
• Pot scrubber
• Biodegradable soap and Tea Towel
• Rubbish bag
• Old tea towel