Duke of Edinburgh Expedition with a Difference

Words from Paul Moore, the College's Duke of Edinburgh Award coordinator:

Normally at this time of the year, I’d be writing about a D of E Gold Expedition involving camping and walking in a National Park. After many months working through strange times and having had to cancel expeditions last year due to the pandemic, it’s been fantastic to have been a part of a DofE with a difference, enabling students to work towards achieving their Gold Expeditions section within current restrictions. DofE has provided us with a set of adjustments meaning that we didn’t have to leave the local area and camp. Instead, we’ve been exploring our wonderful local area over a short two day expedition with some great weather.

A total of 31 students, split into six groups, have worked together and navigated their way through some lovely local nature spots including Bidston Hill and Bidston Moss, finding there really are areas of natural beauty just a stone’s throw from the front door of the College. The groups have passed the historic Bidston Windmill, Observatory and Lighthouse and experienced some of the regeneration and re-naturing of the old landfill sites around Bidston Moss. The routes over the practice expedition have enabled the students to get some good practice in map reading and navigation, as well as some practice at setting camp and using stoves. The groups have shown incredible positivity and resilience and have worked together brilliantly over their practice expedition.

When College reopens in August, the students will be taking part in their qualifying expedition, again staying on the Wirral and walking four longer routes taking in areas including New Brighton, Bebington, Arrowe Park and Moreton. On the qualifying expedition, each team will be aiming to put together a walking guide for the local area, so will be researching and planning towards this over the summer.

Well done to everyone who has taken part and supported the expedition - both students and the staff who have made this happen.