Year 9 and Year 10 students were involved with a Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award activity on Friday 4 February.
The in-school expedition training was arranged for the new DofE Bronze cohort and the first task was the most challenging of the day – with 56 children arranging themselves into their expedition groups. According to DofE Award Manager and English teacher, Mrs Francis, everyone showed real spirit and friendliness in welcoming into their groups participants from different years and other friendship groups.
The day was run by approved activity provider, Venture Outdoor, who the school has worked with over a number of years delivering DofE expeditions. The purpose of the training day was to cover some of the basic expedition skills – map reading, how to take a grid reference, route planning etc – and there was also an opportunity for participants to be introduced to the DofE cooking stove of choice, the ‘trangier!’ There was also a session where everyone prepared presentations on key expedition essentials such as clothing & kit, food and the countryside code. Then time was spent planning the practice expedition which takes place in May.
The children were fantastic; engaged, enthusiastic and eager, with many of them showing some really good map reading skills. Venture Outdoor’s James, Karen, Neil and Lee all commented on how polite and engaged the participants were, with James (owner) declaring them to be his favourite group of this academic year so far. High praise so well done everyone!
The students, Myton staff and the Venture Outdoor team are all looking forward to the expeditions and a walk is next on the schedule, on Friday 4 March. More details for parents and carers will follow soon.