Frequently Asked Questions

Please find below a number of frequently asked questions and their answers to do with going on Expedition.

Equipment

What do I need to wear?
What happens if I forget something?
Why can't I wear trainers or shoes for the expedition?
Why must my walking boots come above the ankle?
Do I need spare footwear?
Can I wear shorts?
Why is it not advisable to wear cotton?
Why do I need a hat and gloves?
Do I need spare clothes?
How many pairs of socks do I need?
Can I bring my mobile phone?
Can I bring a camera?
Do I need walking poles?
What are Gaiters and do I need them?
Will I need a midge net?
Do I need to bring any money?
What luxury item should I bring?
Lost or damaged a personal possession during an expedition, am I insured?
Will you charge me if I damage or lose any borrowed equipment?

Food and Drink

How much water should I carry?
Will I be able to top up my drinking water each day?
Do I need water purification tablets?
Can I use a camelback, platypus or other hydration system?
How will I cook my food?
What food do I need?
Should I avoid any foods?

The Campsite

What sort of tent will I sleep in?
What will the campsite be like?
Can I have a shower on expedition?
Is there a toilet at the campsite?
Do I need toilet roll?

Disability or Medical Issues

I have a disability can I take part?
If I have a medical condition illness or injury, can I still take part?
What happens if I get ill or injured during the expedition?

Keeping in touch 

Can I bring my mobile phone?
Will I be able to contact friends or family during the expedition?
Will my parents be able to contact me during the expedition?
How can I get a message to my son or daughter during an expedition?
My son or daughter has called me and is lost or upset, what should I do?

The Expedition Programme

What will the expedition training cover?
What if I miss any training?
What if I miss the practice expedition?
Can I do my practice expedition when the rest of my group do their qualifying expedition?
If I drop out of the programme will I get a refund?
What happens if I drop out of a practice expedition before the end?
What happens if I drop out of a qualifying expedition before the end?
Can I fail a practice expedition?
Can I fail a qualifying expedition?
How far will I have to walk?
How fit do I need to be?
How hard will it be?

Open Expeditions

I am not part of a group, can I come on an expedition?
I have done my training and practice, can I just come on an open qualifying expedition?
I haven't done bronze or silver, can I come on an open gold expedition?
Can I bring extra kit that I don't want to carry during the expedition?

Equpiment

What do I need to wear?

We will cover everything during the pre-expedition training with your son or daughter and we will provide a detailed kit list. This can also be downloaded by clicking here
Expedition kit list (.PDF, 193k)
DofE Kit List Official Site (.PDF, 194k)

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What happens if I forget something?

We bring a small stock of spare equipment to each expedition so your instructor or supervisor may be able to help if you inform us immediately. Alternatively, in the case of meths (methylated spirits)for instance, your parents may be able to visit a shop/store to purchase some if there is time before your mini-bus departs. It goes without saying that you will not be able to take part unless you are properly equipped.

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Why can't I wear trainers or shoes for the expedition?

In order to safely take part in an expedition you must have proper walking boots. These must have soles with good grips and heels and they must come above the ankle. If you do not have proper walking boots we do have a limited number that you may be able to borrow. You will not be able to go on expedition without boots.

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Why must my walking boots come above the ankle?

You will be carrying a heavy pack during the expedition, and boots give additional support above the ankle. You will probably walking through mud and chunky grips on your sole will make you slip less. These thick soles are also necessary on rocky ground. Laces need to be tied properly too. Untied laces have been the main contributing factor to the injuries received by participants over the past 12 months. If you do not have proper walking boots you will not be able to take part.

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Do I need spare footwear?

Some people like to bring a different pair of shoes or flip flops to wear on the camp site. If you do bring some, please make them as light as possible. You should not walk barefoot around the campsite. If you have borrowed a pair of boots from us, your parents will also need to bring some more footwear to go home in after the expedition.

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Can I wear shorts?

If it is hot you may wish to wear shorts. Obviously wearing long trousers when walking provide better protection from sunburn, from cuts & scratches, and from biting insects. Please check the weather forecast - perhaps your spare pare of bottoms could be shorts.

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Why is it not advisable to wear cotton?

Cotton absorbs lots of water and dries really slowly, so if your cotton t-shirt, hoodie or tracksuit bottoms get wet, you will be cold and uncomfortable for a long period of time. Fleece and quick drying synthetic materials are ideal for expeditions. Alternatively, a thin woolly jumper will also keep you warm while wet.

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Why do I need a hat and gloves?

Even in summer it can be cold at your campsite at night. It is essential that you can keep warm. Please check the weather forecast the night before and use your common sense. You can also wear the hat in your sleeping bag to stop heat loss through your head through the night.

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Do I need spare clothes?

This depends on the length of the expedition, but as a minimum, you will need a spare jumper for extra warmth and a complete change of clothing.

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How many pairs of socks do I need?

You will need 2 pairs, one to wear and a spare pair.  Some participants prefer to have a fresh pair of socks each day of their expedition if doing silver or gold.

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Can I bring my mobile phone?

The use of mobile phones will be discussed during training. Usually the group and their supervisor & assessor will draw up a contract between them outlining their limited use because…"an expedition is an opportunity for participants to have a unique and memorable outdoor experience, different from their normal routine"...
Taking this on board, parents should realise…"that no news is good news and they should expect no contact at all from their son/daughter during the expedition".

Usually mobiles are allowed only in case of an emergency, although if agreed, one can be used as a recording tool for the group purpose. Any mobiles not used on expedition can usually be kept safe with the supervisor, to be returned afterwards, and then can be used to ring parents an hour prior to collection time.

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Can I bring a camera?

This is a good idea because you may want to record all of those DofE memories.  They can then be uploaded onto eDofE for vital evidence or used during your presentation. If you do bring a camera or video camera it is entirely at your own risk, so please ensure that it will be well protected from the elements.

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Do I need walking poles?

Some participants find walking poles useful. When used correctly they can take some of the weight off your legs especially up hills and can help you to balance when walking on rough ground. They are particularly useful for participants who suffer from ankle, knee or hip problems.

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What are Gaiters and do I need them?

Gaiters fit over the bottom of your trousers and the top of your boots. They will help to keep your feet dry by keeping water out of your boots.

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Will I need a midge net?

Generally these are only needed for expeditions in Scotland, North Wales & abroad. This will be covered during your training, and you will be reminded if your expedition is to take place in one of these areas.

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Do I need to bring any money?

Once on the actual expedition itself, you cannot call in and buy from any shop. Everything you will need on your expedition you must carry and take with you. Having said that, you may be able to buy some food and drink on the journey to your expedition and at the end of the expedition. If you have forgotten anything you may be able to visit a shop before you start, and it is also a good idea to bring some extra money with you in case of an emergency – one or two coins are sometimes useful to use at a pay phone if there is no mobile coverage in an emergency.

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What luxury item should I bring?

Whatever will boost your morale during the expedition. Some people bring a ball, a pack of cards, a book, a cuddly toy or a Frisbee. Please remember though whatever you bring you will have to carry it. Again, MP3 players & other electronic equipment are frowned upon because...
"an expedition is an opportunity for participants to have a unique and memorable outdoor experience, different from their normal routine". Any items you wish to bring should be discussed with your supervisor.

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Lost or damaged a personal possession during an expedition, am I insured?

Your possessions may be covered on your house insurance, however we recommend taking out a travel insurance policy which will cover your personal possessions during the expedition. Your possessions are not insured through Kirklees Council.

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Will you charge me if I damage or lose any borrowed equipment?

That depends – if the damage or loss was accidental eg. breaking a tent pole whilst trying to erect a tent in high winds, that would be deemed as acceptable. We would however make a charge if we believe that the damage or loss was caused by wilful misuse or negligence.

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 Food and water

How much water should I carry?

You should carry 1 litre of water with you when walking. But you will need to drink more than this during the day to stay hydrated, so we recommend drinking water in the morning before you start and more when you arrive at your campsite. Fizzy canned drinks like Coke or Red Bull are unacceptable because they actively deydrate.

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Will I be able to top up my drinking water each day?

Most campsites will have taps with drinking water. In particularly hot weather, most of our instructors will carry a large water container for you to top up your supplies on route.

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Do I need water purification tablets?

No – most campsites have access to clean drinking water. Where you need to take water from streams we recommend you purify this by boiling rather than using purification tablets. If this is going to be necessary during your expedition you will cover this during your training.

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Can I use a camelback, platypus or other hydration system?

These are ideal and purpose made because you don't need to stop and take you bag off to drink, so they can help you to stay hydrated. The downside is that you also can't easily see how much you're drinking and it is easy to drink a day's supply of water in a couple of hours. Hydration systems are also prone to leaking so in addition you should bring a 1 litre water bottle with you too.

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How will I cook my food?

Your group will be given a number of lightweight stoves – typically 1 for each 3 participants. We use the 'Trangia' make of stoves and these are fuelled by methylated spirits which can be purchased from DIY stores by over 18's only eg. parents. The stove has 2 pans, a lid and a handle, so you will be able to boil or gently warm food. You will not be able to fry, toast, roast or oven cook food so you need to choose what to bring carefully.
You are quite welcome to use your own lightweight stove from home, but please bear in mind you will need to show your instructor/supervisor beforehand so it can be assessed as suitable for lightweight backpacking. In the main, any GAZ canisters & bayonet fittings are deemed not suitable

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What food do I need?

We will cover food and nutrition during expedition training. This can also be downloaded by clicking here Expedition food suggestions (.PDF, 3.32MB)
One of the conditions of your expedition is that you must cook a substantial meal on each day of your expedition

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Should I avoid any foods?

Do not bring any raw meat, poultry or fish. Items which need refrigeration should be eaten within 4 hours, so ham sandwiches for lunch on day one are probably ok, but maybe not the following day in July! To avoid food poisoning, please eat dried, preserved or long life foods only. If someone in your group has an allergy you should also avoid bringing food they are allergic to.

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The Campsite

What sort of tent will I sleep in?

We have a number of different tents that can be loaned for your expedition. The type of tent will depend on the size of your group. We will cover tent pitching in your training where you will have an opportunity to see and try out different tents. Each tent can sleep 2, 3 or occasionally 4 people, and your instructor will be able to help choose how many tents your group needs on their expedition.

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What will the campsite be like?

This will depend on where you are going for your expedition. We use a variety of commercial campsites, farmer's fields and Scout or Guide campsites. On Gold expeditions it is always the intention to wild camp. Most campsites do not have showers, some have hot and cold water and flushing loos, but some are very basic with only cold water taps and portaloos. On a wild camp you will not have access to any facilities; if you are going to be wild camping we will cover camp hygiene during your training.

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Can I have a shower on expedition?

Most of the campsites do not have showers. You will be able to wash, although there is unlikely to be hot water. We suggest either bringing a flannel and small bar of soap or use wet wipes.

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Is there a toilet at the campsite?

Most of the campsites will have toilets – some may be proper flushing toilets, others may be more basic portaloos. If you are wild camping then you will not have a toilet, but we will provide you with a trowel and will discuss camp hygiene with you during your training.

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Do I need toilet roll?

You need to be self sufficient. Some campsites do not provide toilet rolls, or you may find that other campers have used them before you arrive. We recommend Andrex "on the go" which is a compact, coreless toilet roll or packets of tissues. Always protect you loo roll from the elements – it won't be any use if it gets wet!

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Disability or Medical Issues

I have a disability can I take part?

The DofE Award is open to everyone irrespective of their ability. In Kirklees we have quite a number of participants who have a disability. Our Instructors have a wealth of experience of working with disabled participants and run specific training programmes and expeditions to cater for young peoples specific needs.

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If I have a medical condition illness or injury, can I still take part?

We will try to accommodate your needs wherever possible; however expeditions are very strenuous and often take part in remote areas so we need to consider whether it will be safe for you to take part if you are not fully fit.
It may be possible for us to apply for a 'variation' of the expedition conditions, so that we can assist you in some way. Alternatively, we may recommend that you need to undertake further training or wait until you are fully fit before taking part.

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What happens if I get ill or injured during the expedition?

Our instructors will be on hand to give you support and first aid. If necessary you will be seen by a medical professional. If you are unable to continue with the expedition then we will contact your DofE leader and/or you parent/guardian to arrange for them to collect you.

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Keeping in Touch 

Can I bring my mobile phone?

The use of mobile phones will be discussed during training. Usually the group and their supervisor & assessor will draw up a contract between them outlining their limited use because…"an expedition is an opportunity for participants to have a unique and memorable outdoor experience, different from their normal routine"...
Taking this on board, parents should realise…"that no news is good news and they should expect no contact at all from their son/daughter during the expedition".
Usually mobiles are allowed only in case of an emergency, although if agreed, one can be used as a recording tool for the group purpose. Any mobiles not used on expedition can usually be kept safe with the supervisor, to be returned afterwards, and then can be used to ring parents an hour prior to collection time.

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Will I be able to contact friends or family during the expedition?

Your mobile phone should only be used to contact your supervisor during the expedition in an emergency or as previously agreed .  You need to save your battery and phone credit because the phone signal may be poor in the expedition area.

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Will my parents be able to contact me during the expedition?

You should tell friends and family not to call you during the expedition.  You need to save your phone battery for emergencies.  You may also be in an area with poor phone signal and they may worry if they cannot get hold of you.

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How can I get a message to my son or daughter during an expedition?

If your message is urgent please use the emergency number on the expedition information letter and we will contact the supervisor of your son/daughter's group.

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My son or daughter has called me and is lost or upset, what should I do?

Please reassure them, and tell them they need to speak to their supervisor who will be able to help.  Supervisors make regular checks on the groups' progress, and participants are all given contact numbers for their supervisor.  Again, if the phone signal is poor in the expedition area and participants cannot get hold of their supervisor, they should leave a clear message and send a text giving their location and information about the problem.  
If you are concerned, contact us and we will pass a message to the supervisor.
Please try not to worry, expeditions are meant to be challenging and occasionally a participant may want to call parents if they are tired and upset. They often forget to call you back to tell you that everything is OK later on. 

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The Expedition Programme

What will the expedition training cover?

The training you will receive will be a balance of practical and classroom sessions. Have a look to see what you will cover in your training by clicking here Expedition Programme (.DOC, 216k)

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What if I miss any training?

You cannot take part in the practice expedition unless you have completed all the expedition training sessions. If you have a number of absences, your DofE leader will discuss the options with you.

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What if I miss the practice expedition?

You cannot take part in the qualifying expedition unless you have successfully completed at least one practice expedition. If this happens your DofE leader will discuss the options with you.

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Can I do my practice expedition when the rest of my group do their qualifying expedition?

If the participant has completed all the expedition training and has undertaken the independent Day Nav, this might be a possibility and discussions could take place between the group, supervisor & assessor beforehand. The participant in question would obviously then need to find another qualifying venture to book on to in order to complete.

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If I drop out of the programme will I get a refund?

Payments are non-refundable. We therefore recommend that you take out insurance to cover you for cancellation or curtailment. Suitable travel insurance policies are widely available.

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What happens if I drop out of a practice expedition before the end?

If you do not complete the practice expedition then we cannot sign you off to go forward to the qualifying expedition. You will need to repeat all or part of the practice expedition.

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What happens if I drop out of a qualifying expedition before the end?

You will have to repeat the whole expedition.

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Can I fail a practice expedition?

You cannot 'fail' a DofE practice Expedition. However, at the end of a practice expedition we sometimes recommend that a group undertake further training and another practice to ensure that they are fully prepared to safely undertake an unaccompanied qualifying expedition. Some groups/participants just take longer to pick up the necessary skills.

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Can I fail a qualifying expedition?

You cannot 'fail' a DofE qualifying Expedition. However, at the end of a qualifying expedition we sometimes recommend that a group or particular participant retake the expedition weekend again – the original being classed as another practice!
Not all of the participants who start a qualifying expedition will complete it successfully. If they have not taken care of themselves they may drop out before the end. We also reserve the right to ask a participant to leave an expedition if we believe that they pose a danger to themselves or other members of their group. If you do not complete your qualifying expedition first time, then you can try again at a later date. You have until your 25th Birthday.

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How far will I have to walk?

At bronze you will need to plan 6 hours of activity each day, 7hours for silver and 8 for gold. At least 50% of this time must be spent journeying. This could be anything between 8km – 18 km depending on the fitness/age/level of the group.

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How fit do I need to be?

The fitter you are the more you will enjoy your expedition and walking up a hill with a rucksack on your back will not seem so hard and you will be able to enjoy the view rather than puffing and panting. The more training you do prior to your expedition the better you will feel. Expeditions are about endurance not speed, so simple walking is an ideal form of training. Walking to school, College or the shops rather than using the car is an ideal form of training. Why not practice carrying a loaded rucksack on your walks. Don't forget to wear your boots when you do so as this will help to break them in, ensuring they are comfortable for your expedition. Never wear brand new boots on expedition always break them in first.

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How hard will it be?

DofE expeditions are supposed to be challenging, so you will find it particularly hard at one or two stages. You may even feel like giving up at some point during your expedition, but you will have your team mates and supervisor on hand to encourage and help you get through. At the end, the sense of achievement and good memories will definitely outweigh the low points.

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Open Expeditions

I am not part of a group, can I come on an expedition?

Yes of course. Lots of the people who come on our Open Expeditions are on their own and quickly make friends.

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I have done my training and practice, can I just come on an open qualifying expedition?

Yes, but we do need to see evidence that your training and practice have been signed off. A photo copy of your signed keeping tracks booklet, or a print-out from eDofE will suffice.

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I haven't done bronze or silver, can I come on an open gold expedition?

Providing you have competed all the relevant expedition training, direct entrants are welcome on our expeditions. However you may find that you have to work harder than other participants who have had more experience after having completed the award at Bronze or Silver levels as well.

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Can I bring extra kit that I don't want to carry during the expedition?

Gold participants have to travel further afield and usually have to have an extra acclimatisation day, so they can store a small bag with extra kit that won't be taken on the actual qualifying expedition. We would suggest you bring a couple of changes of clothing, a towel and some toiletries. Please don't leave any valuables in your bag.

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For more information contact the Kirklees DofE office.