Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – this is a great idea, you will want to record all of those great DofE memories. They can then be uploaded onto your eDofE or used during your presentation. You might even want to consider entering your photos into our Snap Happy Photo Competition. If you do bring a camera or video camera, please ensure that it is well protected from the elements.

This isn’t necessary, however if you don’t mind carrying a little more then you may want to bring a different pair of shoes to wear in camp. You should not walk barefoot around the campsite because the grass is cut by a tractor that will chop up tent pegs and leave sharp things hidden in the grass on the fields.

No – we do not want to see or hear participants listening to music during the expedition. It is not in the spirit of the DofE, it is antisocial and it can even be dangerous to wear headphones whilst walking. Most public campsites have rules about noise.

Yes – but you will not be allowed to use it day or night. We give you tough plastic bags to seal the phone into. The seals are checked at the end of the event to ensure you have not used it. You carry it in case of an emergency or in case you need to call your parents at the end of the event. Please ensure that it is fully charged, has plenty of credit and is well protected from the elements in a tough plastic bag. One person in your team is allowed to keep their phone turned on to take photos of your expedition or record evidence for your expedition project.

If it is hot you may wish to wear shorts, however we recommend wearing long trousers or leggings when walking as they provide protection from sunburn, from cuts and scratches from thorns and nettles and from biting insects such as ticks.

It is essential that you let us know about any medical condition, disability or injury when booking and that you also let your leader know on the starting day of your day. This information will remain completely confidential but is essential to ensure your safety and the safety of other group members.

These are not 'spare' clothing - they are extra layers to put on top of what you are wearing. So when it gets colder at night or on the hill tops or in the rain, you have extra layers in your bag to keep you comfortable day and night, regardless of what weather you get.
So this will depend on the length of your expedition, but as a minimum, in addition to the clothing you are wearing, you will need a warm jumper and a complete change of clothing.

Some participants find walking poles very useful, when used correctly they take some of the weight off your legs and can help you to balance when walking on rough ground. They are particularly useful for participants who suffer from ankle, knee, back or hip problems. We really recommend them for Gold expeditions as the days are very long and the uphill and downhill sections are very long and hard.

Your possessions may be covered on your house insurance; however, we recommend taking out a travel insurance policy which will cover your personal possessions during the expedition. Your possessions are not insured through the DofE or Venture Out Expeditions.

Welfare and safety is our biggest priority when working with teams and hypothermia is a common issue so you will not be able to take part unless you are properly equipped. It is a personal development award which encourages participants to take responsibility for planning, preparing and packing well before they come. Our Safety operating procedures require the staff to check all participants clothing at the start of each event. This is also part of the assessment process. We bring a small stock of spare kit to each expedition so your instructor may be able to help. But it is impossible for us to bring enough spares in different sizes. If it is wet and cold and you do not have safe clothing you will need to go home. That is for everyone's safety.

We will cover this during the pre-expedition training and we will provide you with a copy of our Expedition Preparation Guide which has a detailed kit list. This can also be downloaded from your school website or our Resources & Downloads page.

Cotton absorbs lots of water and dries very slowly. It also loses all of its ability to insulate you. So if your cotton t-shirt, hoodie or tracksuit bottoms get wet, you will be cold and uncomfortable. Synthetic fibres (polyester/nylon), that most fleeces, sports tops and base layers are made from are lighter, warmer and safer.

In order to safely take part in an expedition you must have proper walking boots which cover the ankle bone. These must have soles with good grips and heels. Slips in grass and mud are common, and this is dangerous with a heavy bag on.
You will be walking though wet grass and mud, even on the campsite. This will wet your socks and this is the biggest cause of blisters.
If you do not have proper walking boots you will not be able to take part.

Even in the middle of summer it can be very cold on the hill top or at night. The temperatures in towns and cities where you live are often warmer than where your expedition will be. The weather forecast is not reliable and changes over the days. If there is an emergency you may have to put clothing on and wait hours for help. Therefore it is essential that you can keep yourself warm and bring everything marked 'compulsory' on the kit list.

That depends – if the damage or loss was accidental eg breaking a tent pole whilst trying to pitch a tent in stormy conditions, then we will not charge you. However we reserve the right to make a charge if we believe that the damage or loss was caused wilfully or by misuse or negligence.

Planning day is done in school with a ratio of 1:10. Training expedition: 1 experienced and qualified instructor to every team, and a floating event co-ordinator. Qualifying expedition: 1 assessor : 1or 2 teams, and a floating event coordinator.

Team equipment is included in our packages. This includes: 3 Tents, 2 Trangia cookers and gas, GPS tracker, group shelter emergency phone. Maps and map cases.

We can run Bronze, Silver & Gold DofE walking Expeditions for between 4 to 20 teams at a time. For Gold walking expeditions the minimum number is 2 teams or 12 participants.

For canoeing expeditions it is 2-3 teams - 6 or 8 students per team. That can seem like very few students but a canoe only holds 2 participants so two teams of 8 students is already 8 boats that fill one canoe trailer.

We train groups in schools and run expeditions in the Peak District, Wales, Cheshire, Lancashire and Yorkshire, the Lake District. And further afield on request.

That depends – if the damage or loss was accidental eg breaking a tent pole whilst trying to pitch a tent in stormy conditions, then we will not charge you. However we reserve the right to make a charge if we believe that the damage or loss was caused wilfully or by misuse or negligence.

We are a British Canoeing Delivery Partner and we hold a licence with the Adventurous Activities Licencing Authority (Reg no: L16356/R1942). Licence details can be confirmed by telephoning the Health & Safety Executive or visiting their website. This licence requires us to be inspected, have Public Liability Insurance, have Risk assessments, operating policies and procedures. It also requires that we use only qualified staff who hold recent CRB checks and First Aid certificates. If you require any further documentation, please visit our Downloads page for copies of our documents.

Yes. All staff have clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service. And these are updated at regular intervals.

Schools & Groups - Send us an email with all your details and requirements – group size, activities you would like and some date options, we will send through a quote and availability. If you would like to go ahead, we need you to confirm via email and then we will email a booking confirmation with T&Cs, a medical form, kit list, participation statement and an invoice. Canoe and Kayak Hire – You can book all canoe and kayak trips and hire here https://booking.bookinghound.com/fe/booking?og=d20ec4ba-003c-4f8c-a988-6b43d9f6740e&mode=al

Groups - We ask for a 25% non-refundable deposit within 14 days of the date to secure the booking except when a purchase order from an approved buying authority is issued. You can pay by BACS or cheque. Individuals - you book and pay for the activity on our booking portal. Please visit the activity page to see the link to the booking site. You can pay by credit or debit card.

That depends – if the damage or loss was accidental eg breaking a tent pole whilst trying to pitch a tent in stormy conditions, then we will not charge you. However we reserve the right to make a charge if we believe that the damage or loss was caused wilfully or by misuse or negligence.

We are a British Canoeing Delivery Partner and we hold a licence with the Adventurous Activities Licencing Authority (Reg no: L16356/R1942). Licence details can be confirmed by telephoning the Health & Safety Executive or visiting their website. This licence requires us to be inspected, have Public Liability Insurance, have Risk assessments, operating policies and procedures. It also requires that we use only qualified staff who hold recent CRB checks and First Aid certificates. If you require any further documentation, please visit our Downloads page for copies of our documents.

Yes. All staff have clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service. And these are updated at regular intervals.

Our safety & experience

Before a team sets off by themselves on their assessed expedition, it is imperative that participants are properly equipped, attend quality training events run by professional staff, and that supervision and safety systems are in place. Providing this for numerous teams would be a huge responsibility for a school as they usually lack the staff, experience, technical background, equipment and insurance required. It is much safer for all to employ specialist providers (AAP). Venture Out Expeditions is an Approved Activity Provider for The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. This audit process ensures that our programmes provide the participants with the best possible staff, training, equipment and safety supervision systems.