Over the weekend we participated in our Duke of Edinburgh Bronze practice expedition. On Friday we walked from School to Ashton Court and then took part in orienteering activities to improve our navigation skills. Once at Ashton Court, we explored the area and learned how to use maps and compasses. After our long walk we had lunch and a well-deserved ice cream break, we then continued to the house (which was bright yellow – to the distaste of most of the group members) and looked inside at the art gallery. We then continued walking, finding several orienteering posts along the way. After walking for most of the day we arrived back at School, much to the relief of everyone’s tired feet.
The next day, we were then ready to take on the challenge of walking to and around Leigh Woods to extend our navigation training. We walked with Group 1 (we are Group 7), stopping for very important snack breaks and to take in the views of Bristol, but split up when we got there. We agreed to meet at 12.00pm at a lake in the woods. After mastering the skill of navigation, we proceeded to the lake and even arrived early, we were the winners of our quest to be there at 12.00pm. We only found out, after 20 minutes of waiting, that Group 1 were at a neighbouring pond instead! Together we continued out of Leigh Woods, through the neighbouring fields and on to Monarch’s Way, and homeward back to the Badminton campus.
For the final day, to our relief, we did not have to walk. Instead, we learnt practical and theoretical things to help us with our assessed expedition. The first thing we did was learn how to cook with a Trangia (camping stove); we made delicious hot chocolate. We then proceeded to the safety and first aid lecture, where we learnt about how to deal with all possible (but very unlikely) hazardous situations.
Next, we had a team discussion about food and supplies for our expedition. As our final activity we got to see what we needed to take and how to pack it in our backpacks. They were incredibly heavy! It also explained why the teachers prepped us to walk longer distances.
Altogether it was a fun, and memorable, experience and we are looking forward to the challenges of the actual expedition!
Chloe, Sabrina, Lizzie, Chloe & Olivia, Year 9
