Expedition FAQs
What kit should I take on my DofE expedition?
Please read our Activ Guide for a kit list and information on the items you will need for your expedition. The guide will help to ensure you get the most out of your expedition by advising you on what items are essential, what you do not need to bring, and what makes certain items (like waterproofs, walking boots, and rucksacks) appropriate or not for your expedition.
Do I need everything on the kit list?
There may be items you will not need, like a thermal baselayer on a warm Bronze expedition. It is sensible to check the weather forecast ahead of your expedition but remember that regardless of the weather there are items which remain compulsory for safety reasons like waterproofs and walking boots.
Do I have to wear walking boots?
We highly advise that you choose ‘over the ankle’ walking boots which support your ankles when carrying a heavy rucksack. For Gold expeditions, and Silvers in more advanced terrain like the Peak District you must have walking boots with ‘over the ankle’ support and walking shoes will not be permitted. Footwear should have good tread on the sole to cope with rough terrain and be waterproof, as wet feet are prone to blistering. Make sure you ‘break in’ your footwear before your expedition by wearing them out and about so they are more comfortable and always lace boots up to the top for maximum ankle support.
For lower level terrain, including the Surrey Hills, South Downs and New Forest you may feel like a set of walking shoes that you have already done lots of walking in are appropriate. If you choose walking shoes they should still be sturdy and supportive with appropriate tread. We would still strongly advise that you choose boots with ankle support in any terrain, as they provide more protection against injury, especially when you consider you will be walking for several days carrying a heavy load.
Trainers or fashion style boots like Timberlands are not suitable at any level.
Should I bring another pair of shoes for the campsite?
This is up to you. Your boots should be comfortable to wear for the full day and and extra pair of shoes will only add extra weight to your bag. It is important that you wear shoes at all times on expedition when outside your tent.
In summer can I wear shorts and vest tops?
In the summer your expedition may be very hot and sunny. While shorts and vests may keep you cool they also expose more of your skin to problems such as sunburn, insect bites, scratches from long grass etc. We would advise wearing lightweight trousers and tops which cover your shoulders.
Can I wear cotton t-shirts and hoodies?
Cotton can absorb a lot of water and takes a long time to dry out once wet so is not a good fabric if you will sweat a lot or if it rains. Wearing wet clothing will be cold and uncomfortable so we would suggest fleece tops and synthetic or thin wool layers which are lightweight and dry quickly.
Do I need a hat and gloves in summer?
Weather on DofE expeditions can vary and the temperatures can drop substantially even in the middle of summer and especially overnight. A hat and gloves will help to keep you warm and a hats are great to sleep in if its chilly overnight. On Gold expeditions weather in the mountains can change quickly so hats and gloves are required.
How many sets of clothes do I need?
This depends on the level and length of your expedition. As a minimum you should have 1 complete set of spare clothing in case one gets wet. Try to double up items to save space and weight – use your clean set of clothes as pyjamas until the last day?
How many pairs of socks should I take?
Again dependant on the length of expedition but as a minimum two. A new pair every other day is fine but always ensure you have a spare in case it rains.
Are mobile phones allowed on expedition?
Yes, you can have your phone with you but it should be used in an emergency only. You should keep your phone turned off and safe and dry so that you will have battery power if you need to contact your instructors.
Can I bring a camera?
A camera is a great way to record DofE memories and may be essential if your expedition aim presentation will require photographs. You will be responsible for keeping your camera safe and we would advise keeping it in a waterproof bag in case it rains.
Will I need walking poles?
Most participants do not use walking poles for DofE but they could be useful for participants who have ankle or knee problems as they can take some weight off your legs and provide balance to prevent injury.
Should I carry any money?
You should be self sufficient whilst on you expedition however a small amount of money may be useful if you would like to buy anything on the journey to/from your expedition. On some Gold expeditions there will be time for visiting shops to replenish supplies so allow for this.
What if I lose or damage my kit, or kit belonging to Activ Adventures, whilst on expedition?
We recommend that you check your household insurance cover or take out travel insurance to cover your personal possessions whilst on the expedition. Your possessions are not insured through DofE or Activ Adventures. And remember, we do reserve the right to make a charge if we believe that the damage or loss of our equipment was caused wilfully or by misuse or negligence.
What group equipment will I be given?
Activ Adventures will provide your team with tents, Trangia stoves, stove fuel, maps of the area and compasses. This equipment will be split between your team members to be carried throughout the expedition.
What type of tent do you provide?
We have a stock of Vango Scafell 300+ tents that we use for expeditions. These tents are lightweight, easy to pitch and have ample room in the porch area. These tents sleep between 2 and 3 people. We use our stock of Vango Torridan 300 tents for the more adventurous Gold DofE expeditions.
Am I responsible for damage or loss of equipment belonging to Activ Adventures?
You have a responsibility to treat all Activ Adventures equipment with respect and to use it only in the way intended. If incorrect use results in damage you may be liable for this. We do understand that accidents can happen and any breakages caused due to reasons outside of your control eg. tent breakage in extreme weather then we will not charge for this.
How much water should I carry?
2 litres of water should be enough to get you through the day. You will need to drink more than this so make sure you drink plenty in the morning before you start and rehydrate yourself once you reach your destination. Do not start a day carrying less than 2 litres.
Will I be able to top up my drinking water each day?
You should plan to carry all water on you for the days walking. On particularly hot days we may agree to provide water drops for you. Campsites will have a clean source of water for you to top up from. At Gold you may need to purify your water using tablets or by boiling.
Do I need water purification tablets?
At Bronze and Silver campsites almost always have a clean source of drinking water. Gold expeditions may require water to be purified. You may do this using water purification tablets or by boiling water if you prefer.
Can I use a camelback or platypus type water bladder hydration system?
You can use a hydration system – they allow you to drink more easily on the move and this will encourage you to stay hydrated. They are however prone to leaking if abused and it is hard to keep track on how much you have drunk or have left. For these reasons you should carry a litre water bottle as a back up.
How will I cook my food?
Your team will be provided with 2 trangia camping stoves and fuel. These stoves run off a gas cartridge and produce a flame that can be controlled in intensity just like a hob. Stable, safe and easy to use, each stove has 2 pans, a lid and a handle. You can boil water on a trangia to boil or heat pre cooked food. Do not bring food which requires frying, baking, toasting or roasting as you’ll have no means of cooking it.
How much and what type of food do I need?
We will provide information on food during our in school training sessions. Common sense applies – you will have to carry all food you want to consume from the start of your expedition to the finish. Buying food en route breaks the assessment criteria of the expedition. 3 particularly important points to consider when choosing food are weight, packaging and energy (that the food provides)
For an idea of the kind of food you should bring check out our Activ Guide.
What is bad expedition food?
You need to carry everything you will be eating. Some foods are unsuitable for this. Raw meat, poultry and fish will perish and make you ill. Look for long life, preserved or dry foods as you will not have access to a fridge. As you will be carrying all food think about the amount of packaging your food has – avoid glass, tins and excess cardboard. Be aware of any allergies that your team-mates might have as you want to avoid making them ill on expedition.
I have a medical condition, illness or injury, can I still take part in DofE expeditions?
DofE is an inclusive challenge. If you have an underlying condition or a historic injury please let us know at the soonest instance (usually before you book your expedition) and we work with you to establish if and how it will affect our participation. As safety has to be our number one priority we always have to ensure that participants are fit to partake in physical activity, out of their comfort zone in a potentially remote area.
In some instances you can apply for an exemption from one or more of the DofE 20 conditions that the expedition section is assessed on, allowing additional assistance.
What happens if I become unwell or injured during the expedition?
Our staffing teams always include qualified first aiders (an in date first aid certificate is a requirement for qualified supervisors). Teams are briefed in first aid and provide the first response. Our staff our on hand to provide further assistance and if deemed necessary will professional medical help will be sought. If you are unable to continue with your expedition you will need to be collected from the expedition area.
What happens if injury or illness prevents me from attending/completing my expedition?
We advise all participants to take out personal trip insurance or check they are covered by their holiday insurance. Cancellation policy is detailed in our terms and conditions (link). If you cancel before or drop out during your expedition you are welcome to apply for future expeditions, however this will be at additional cost.
What happens if I get bitten by a tick?
Ticks are becoming more prevalent in the countryside. Prevent being bitten by wearing long trousers (keeping your skin covered) and applying insect repellent. If you are bitten by a tick inform one of the expedition staff, who will show you how to use a tick remover. More information on ticks is available from – http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Lyme-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Are mobile phones allowed on expedition?
Yes, you can have your phone with you but it should be used in an emergency only. You should keep your phone turned off and safe and dry so that you will have battery power if you need to contact your instructors.
Can I bring a portable music player or play music on my phone?
No. Listening to music while on your journey is antisocial and will distract you from paying attention and navigating efficiently.
Will I be able to contact home during the expedition?
No, not whilst you are on your expedition. Your mobile is only to be used in an emergency on expedition and your phone battery must therefore always be as full as possible. The Course Director will have a phone that your family can contact if they need to get hold of you. The expedition is about working as a team, with no outside distractions and you not relying on devices that might not have much signal.
How can family get messages to participants on expedition?
A Course Director for each expedition will have a mobile phone with them at all times that can be used for emergencies only. All participants will be given this mobile number before departing on expedition and parents/guardians can phone this number in emergencies only. The Course Director can then contact the participant if necessary. Please remember that phone signal might not be available 24 hours per day so do leave a clear message if your call goes to answer phone.
What should I do if my child calls me and is lost or upset?
We train the participants to work as a team to support each other, deal with situations where they might get lost, or what to do in emergency situations. Instructors will be remotely supervising teams and regularly check on their progress throughout each day. Teams will be given the expedition mobile number of the lead instructor at morning briefings and they will be told to call this number if any issues arise. However, if your child does call home then please try not to worry. Please reassure them and remind them to follow their training. They need to speak to the instructors on the ground as they will be able to support teams quickly. If phone signal is weak then teams should leave a clear message on the emergency mobile, stating location, team number, and information about the situation. When everything has been dealt with, and teams are back on track, they will forget to call you back to let you know everything is ok. Their phones will also be turned off again so do call our emergency line for peace of mind.
Can I miss some of the training sessions if I have other plans?
All the training and expedition dates have been set and what you have committed to with us at the time of booking. Participants cannot attend the practice expedition if they have not had the required training. Participants cannot attend the qualifying expedition unless they have successfully completed the practice expedition.
What if I cannot attend an expedition or miss an expedition due to illness or injury?
All participants must attend both the practice and qualifying expeditions to complete this section of their DofE award. If you cannot attend an expedition with your team, for whatever reason, then we do run Open Expeditions for individuals that participants can join. However, these expeditions are booked at an additional cost. We therefore strongly advise you take out appropriate insurance to cover you for cancellation or curtailment.
If I drop out of the programme or miss expeditions will I get a refund?
No – payments are non-refundable. We strongly recommend that you take out insurance to cover you for cancellation or curtailment. Suitable travel insurance policies are widely available.
What happens if I cannot finish an expedition and need to drop out before the end?
All participants must complete the full duration of an expedition to be signed off as complete. If you cannot fulfil the full expedition then you will need to repeat the expedition at a later date at an additional cost.
How difficult are the expeditions? Do I need to be super fit?
Teams of participants plan their expeditions to be challenging. The expeditions are difficult but incredibly rewarding. There are times when you might want to give up, but the experience is about good planning, working as a team, supporting each other at low points on expedition, and gaining the sense of achievement that comes from overcoming challenges.
You do not need to be super fit, but you need to be fit for the challenge that the team plans. There is no doubt that the fitter you are, the smarter you pack and the more prepared you are as a team, the more you will enjoy the expedition. It is therefore important that all participants take individual responsibility for their own endurance training before each expedition. Walking is ideal training, and the more you can do before an expedition, preferably with a rucksack, the better. And don’t forget that you will be wearing walking boots on expedition, so ensure they are comfortable and worn in.
Can I fail a DofE expedition?
Participants must meet certain standards to achieve the DofE Award. It is an award after all. However, you cannot fail a DofE Expedition but you will need to do further training or repeat an expedition if you have not shown the skills required. There are teams that do not successfully complete the qualifying expedition first time round but everyone has until their 25th birthday to give it another go.
What are Open Expeditions?
Open Expeditions are ideal for individuals who might not have a team to complete their expedition section with, or might have missed or not able to attend the expeditions set by their school or college. Lots of participants join together to make teams. Always surprising how quickly participants make friends.
Do I have to do all the training and both expeditions with Open Expedition teams?
We run Open Practice Expeditions and Open Qualifying Expeditions. You can choose which one you need to do but just remember that you cannot attend any type of qualifying expedition until you have successfully completed your training and a practice expedition.
Can I attend a practice expedition without having completed any training?
All our practice expeditions include the required training. The first day of our Open Expeditions include training sessions to ensure every participant is taken through the DofE training framework and we can sign off both your training and practice components once successfully completed.
When do we do all the route planning for Open Expeditions?
We spend time planning your routes together as a team before you head out on expedition. All teams get together in the expedition area before the expedition to ensure all route plans, kit checks and any training is completed in preparation for the expedition.
Please see our video below to learn how we will get you to route plan for your expeditions. This is step one of the process to get you started. The next steps of writing a route card will be explained during your route planning session.
Please ensure you have read our Activ Guide for further information on kit and equipment.
If your question is not answered above then please do contact us:
Use the contact us form on this link.
Call us on 07840 321 639