How long will my open DofE expedition last?

As we prepare for the Duke of Edinburgh Open Expedition season to begin there are lots of questions, we are asked about what to expect. The most common being ‘How long will my open DofE expedition last?’

Young people are often surprised when we remind them that there is a practice and qualifying expedition. The practice expedition is vital to ensure the safety of the individual and the group on the qualifying expedition. On MWE open practice expeditions the group work with a qualified leader who will support them to practice their navigation and route planning skills as well as their campcraft and cooking skills, reviewing first aid, individual and group kit requirements. 

On a qualifying expedition the group will have a specific aim and undertake the expedition without an adult leader, on an MWE open qualifying expedition there will be regular check points to ensure safety. An assessor will also assess and write a report for each individual once a successful expedition is completed.

So back to the original question of ‘How long will my expedition last?’

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition

• Training / Practise Expedition = Usually 2 days and one night 
• Qualifying Expedition = Usually 2 days and one night (6 hours planned activity each day)

Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award

• Training = minimum of 1 day
• Practise Expedition = minimum 2 nights and 2 days
• Qualifying Expedition = 3 days and 2 nights (7 hours planned activity each day)

Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award

• Training = 1 or 2 days
• Practise Expedition = minimum 2 nights and 2 days
• Qualifying Expedition = 4 days and 3 nights (8 hours planned activity each day)

At MWE our most popular open expeditions are the Open Gold DofE Expeditions. These are primarily walking expeditions and run in Snowdonia National Park.