Duke of Edinburgh at Manor Green School is offered to our Upper Independence and Towards Independence students embark on their Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) expeditions. This year some of the older College Link students will also complete their expeditions.
To be able to ensure students can achieve their full award, students need to complete camping and journeying expeditions.
At MGS and College Link we currently offer Bronze Award and Silver Award.
The timescales are as follows:
Bronze Award
Assessed expedition: 2 days journeying and 1 night camping.
Silver Award: Practice expedition: 2 days journeying and 2 nights camping
Assessed expedition: 3 days journeying and 2 nights camping.
Due to the nature of our young people, the students need quite a lot of support.
Currently we camp at MGS, Bisham Sailing School and Hurley campsite. Depending on the students needs their journeys consist of only walking, walking and bell boating or only bell boating. Students and staff take part in the following to allow the student to reach their full potential.
-
Students with a full kit and food check prior to departing MGS
-
Collect camping equipment from stores and secure on minibus.
-
Travel with or from a distance during walking or boating journeys.
-
Support students to set up camp
-
Support students to cook their meals on camping stoves ensuring their safety.
-
Support students to keep camp clean to avoid rodents
-
Support and engage students in free time activities.
-
Support students who need emotional support due to missing home, tiredness etc.
-
Ensure student safety when using public WC's or bathrooms.
-
Complete a 2-3 hr night watch shift.
-
Be prepared to sleep in a tent usually with one other staff member.
-
Provide own meals which you can cook on camping stoves
-
Unpack and store kit once returned to MGS
-
Most importantly, remain calm when faced with challenges and be able to find the funny side of everything!
The expedition section of the DofE always causes our students and many parents high levels of anxiety, many have never been away from home overnight and very few have experienced camping. However, the joy and pride they feel when they complete their expedition brings immense reward for the staff who volunteer to support them.
Expeditions usually run from Thursday to Friday or Wednesday to Friday.