DofE Expedition Services for Individuals (Open Expeditions)
We provide Expeditions that will enable any individual that does not have a ready-made group available to them to complete the Expedition requirements. We will work with you to ensure you have everything you need to plan, train for and complete an unaccompanied, self-reliant expedition with an agreed aim.
Your expedition must be completed by your own physical efforts. The Individual Open Expeditions that we offer are on foot.
Expedition Training. This is delivered at an agreed venue and covers all aspects of the Expedition Training Framework as laid down by the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award including; route planning, first aid, camp cooking, personal equipment, rucksack packing and tent building.
Practice Expedition. This is an opportunity for the young people involved to practice all the skills learnt on their Expedition Training. The duration and the location of the practice depend upon the level of the award being undertaken. All practice expeditions will be led by a qualified expedition leader who will respond to the needs of individuals and the group as a whole to support them in developing their initial skills further, so we are secure they have the required skills and motivation to complete their qualifying expedition.
Route Planning. Designed to plan and prepare young people for the qualifying expedition, this day is a standard part of Gold level package but available as an additional service for Bronze & Silver levels.
Qualifying / Assessed Expedition. This is the assessed element of the expedition section of the award. Your young people will follow the route they have planned and will apply their training and experience to date. Our leaders will supervise them remotely and our accredited assessors will assess the teams and de-brief them at the end.
Email us today on info@mountain-water.co.uk or call us on 07582 062 257 to discuss your DofE Individual Expedition Services and DofE Expedition requirements.
Why choose Mountain Water Expeditions?
Who we are – The Team?
We are a teacher lead organisation who understand the current demands places upon school staff who want to get their young people out into the outdoors.
Our coaches / instructors are highly experienced outdoor professionals coming from a variety of backgrounds. This wealth of experience enables us to cater for individuals, groups and national companies when delivering our programmes and activities.
Quality of Service
Customer service and attention to detail matter to us. Our experienced, friendly team are passionate about being outside and want you to gain as much as possible from your time with us. We do the planning for you so you have a safe and enjoyable trip. Your safety is our highest priority and Mountain Water Expeditions has a perfect safety record. We are happy to answer as many questions as you may have about your trip.
Safety
Safety is at the forefront of everything we do. Mountain Water Expeditions has taken all necessary steps to ensure that our expedition programmes provide an appropriate challenge for participants without compromising on safety.
AALA
The Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) is the body which regulates adventurous activities in the UK. It is a government body and part of the Health and Safety Executive. Mountain Water Expeditions is licensed by AALA to provide;
Activity categories covered by the licence:
- Climbing
- Watersports
- Trekking
Specified Activities:
- Abseiling
- Hill Walking & Mountaineering
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Rock Climbing
Our licence number is Reference Number is R2213, details of our licence can be confirmed by following the following weblink:
Reference No: R2213 Licence No: L119631Issue Date: 23 Sep 2023 Expiry Date: 22 Oct 2025
Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) – Quality Badge
Mountain Water Expeditions has been awarded the LOtC Quality Badge by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom. This badge provides for the first time a national award combining the essential elements of provision – learning and safety – into one easily recognisable and trusted accreditation scheme for all types of learning outside the classroom provider organisations. Our quality badge number is R2QB104621, details of our licence can be confirmed by calling the LOtC on 01479 811448.
Adventure Mark – AAIAC
Mountain Water Expeditions has been accredited by Adventuremark which is a non- statutory safety accreditation scheme devised by the Adventure Activity Industry Advisory Committee for providers of adventurous activities.
Adventuremark allows Mountain Water Expeditions to demonstrate to our customers and users that the relevant arrangements for managing the potential risks of adventure activities which have been inspected and found to meet the AAIAC provider accreditation standards which define “good practice” in the adventure activity industry. All providers who hold Adventuremark will have undergone an inspection to confirm compliance.
DofE Approved (Expedition section for ALL three levels of the award & Gold Residential)
Mountain Water Expeditions is a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Approved Activity Provider. We work closely with DofE head office and DofE operating authorities across the country to ensure our programmes fulfil the DofE expedition requirements.
Technology
We utilise the latest technology to ensure our groups have a safe and enjoyable expedition experience. We have a stock of Personal Locator Beacons which we issue to groups undertaking expeditions in remote areas.
Qualifications
Our real strength is our fantastic team of instructors. They are all fully qualified and have the necessary experience to deliver the activities we have available. Each instructor holds the National Governing Body qualifications appropriate for the activity you employ us to deliver.
First Aid
All of our instructors are qualified first aiders and have attended activity specific courses to enable them to deal efficiently with any situation that may arise.
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS) checks
As part of our child and adult protection policies all our instructors and office staff have Enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS) checks. These are renewed every three years.
Insurance
We are fully insured to deliver training and expeditions through BAHIS. We hold a public liability policy which covers up to £10,000,000 and an employer’s liability policy.
Email us today on info@mountain-water.co.uk or call us on 07582 062 257 to discuss your DofE Individual Expedition requirements.