Bronze Duke of Edinburgh students complete Expedition

May 22, 2024 11:47:58 AM

During the weekend of 18 - 19 May, a group of 35 Year 9 students ventured into the rugged wilderness of the Dorset coastline, The Purbecks, to conquer the final leg of their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award - the Expedition. Camping out for 2 days and 1 night, they navigated through 6 hours of planned activities each day, covering a total distance of approximately 15 miles. Split into 6 groups, each member was responsible for carrying essential items such as tents, Trangia cookers, maps, and more, adding an element of teamwork and camaraderie to their adventure.

As an added part of the adventure, the groups had to negotiate the coastal terrain with hundreds of walkers and runners competing in the Jurassic Coast to Coast charity event. These competitors found several of our teacher volunteers out supporting the groups to compliment the manners and attitude of Leweston’s students.

On the first day, students established their campsite near Wareham and prepared a diverse array of pasta dinners as a team, including pasta with pesto, pasta with hotdogs, and pasta with sauce. With ample downtime in the evening to rest their tired feet and tend to a multitude of blister patches, the group settled in around 21:30, gearing up for the next morning.

Bronze DofE

As Sunday morning dawned, signalling the start of day two, the end of their expedition loomed in the distance. With an early wake-up call, the groups rallied together to prepare breakfast and dismantle their campsite. Fortunately, the storms that had hit other areas spared the expedition, making the task of folding tents that bit easier. The final stretch of the journey presented a challenging steep ascent as they headed East towards the last checkpoint at Tyneham Village. Despite the physical demands, the spirits of the group remained high, with smiles all around and even a heart-warming chorus of Happy Birthday sung to one of the assessors.

Throughout the past several months, each participant has dedicated themselves to mastering their Skill, Physical, and Volunteering sections, showcasing unwavering commitment to personal growth and making a positive impact on those around them.