Silver DofE: Complete Open Canoe Expedition Programme
Available start dates for 2027 Complete Expedition Programmes:
9/04/27
23/07/27
2/08/27
12/08/27
From: £560.00
Duration
7 days
DofE’s
Silver Award
Scotland/Scottish Highlands
Open
Canoeing
£750
per person
Silver DofE Complete Open Canoeing Programme
7 Days | Training, Practice and Qualification | Scotland
Everything you need to complete your silver DofE expedition by open canoe
Our Complete DofE Open Canoeing Programme brings the whole expedition journey together in one structured programme.
Over seven days, participants progress from canoe and expedition training, through a two-day practice expedition, have a dedicated rest and preparation day at Craigower lodge, followed by completion of their three day qualifying expedition.
What happens
on the programme?
Day 1: Canoe & Expedition Training
The programme begins with a full day of practical training. We focus on the skills participants need to travel safely and confidently by open canoe on a multi-day journey.
Days 2–3: Silver Practice Expedition
The team then heads out on a three-day, two-night practice expedition.
This is where participants put their training into practice.
They will need to manage their own expedition as a team while being appropriately supervised by Active staff.
The team will practise:
- Navigation & route finding
- Effective & efficient paddling technique
- Campcraft & Cooking
- Equipment management
- Teamwork
- Expedition routines
- Decision making
- Dealing with changing conditions
The practice expedition is deliberately treated as a learning experience.
It provides the opportunity to discover what works, identify problems and improve before the qualifying expedition.
Day 4: Rest & Preparation Day
After two days on expedition, participants get a well-earned break, allowing the team time to:
- Dry and check equipment
- Review the practice expedition
- Repack equipment & prepare food
- Review the qualifying route & finalise expedition plans
2 nights’ accommodation is provided at Craigower Lodge during this break, giving participants a comfortable opportunity to recover between the two expeditions.
Days 5–7: Silver Qualifying Expedition
The final three days are the qualifying expedition. This is the opportunity for the team to demonstrate everything it has learned.
The qualifying expedition is a minimum of 3 days & 2 nights with 7 hours planned activity per day.
The team will travel by open canoe, navigate its planned route, manage its equipment and camp, work together and complete its expedition aim.
Active staff supervise and asses the expedition with an accredited DofE Assessors & Supervisors.
Silver DofE Open Canoeing Complete Expedition Programme with Active Outdoor Pursuits
From training to independence
The most important feature of this programme is the progression.
TRAINING
We teach and develop the skills.
PRACTICE
You use those skills in a real expedition environment.
REVIEW
You identify what worked and what needs improving.
REST
You recover and prepare.
QUALIFYING
You demonstrate your skills by completing your Silver expedition.
This progression is at the heart of a good DofE expedition programme.
Why choose the complete programme?
One provider. One programme, two great expeditions.
Organising training, practice and qualifying expeditions separately can mean arranging different dates, providers, equipment and logistics.
Our complete programme brings everything together.
You have:
- One experienced expedition provider
- Cost effective save on time, travel & cost.
- A rest day with accommodation (real bed) between expeditions
- Expedition supervision & assessment included.
- All specialist canoe equipment & camping equipment provided.
- Support before and during the programme
Who is this programme for?
This programme is designed for Silver DofE participants who want to complete their complete silver expedition by open canoe.
It is particularly suitable for:
- Individuals looking for an open DofE expedition
- Friends who want to complete their expedition together
- School groups & Youth organisations
- Groups of four or more
- Participants who want training, practice and qualifying expeditions arranged together
Participants must be registered for their DofE Award and meet the relevant DofE requirements.
What you need to know
What Active Outdoor Pursuits provides
We can provide the specialist group equipment required for the canoe expedition.
Depending on the package, this can include:
- Open canoes, Paddles, Buoyancy aids and helmets where required
- Dry bags and/or barrels
- Tents & camping mats
- Stoves & Cooking equipment
- Expedition safety equipment
- Waterproofs and other agreed group equipment
You will receive detailed joining instructions explaining exactly what is included and what you need to bring.
What you need to bring
Participants are responsible for their own, personal clothing, food and sleeping bag.
On booking, Active will provide a comprehensive equipment list.
Safety, supervision and participant wellbeing
Seven days outdoors is a significant undertaking.
Our experienced instructors monitor the group and the environment throughout the programme. We will observe and consider:
- Weather, water & wind conditions
- Participant ability and fatigue
- Equipment choices and application
- Navigation and Route
- Communication & emergency procedures
Participants are encouraged to develop independence while knowing that experienced instructors are there to provide appropriate support and safety management.
Where will we go?
Active Outdoor Pursuits is based in Newtonmore in the Cairngorms National Park and delivers DofE expeditions throughout Scotland.
We select expedition areas according to the requirements of the programme, the experience and ability of the participants, environmental conditions, access and the objectives of the expedition.
This means the exact route is not necessarily fixed at the time of booking however, we have access to the whole of the Scottish Highlands. Nowhere is too far from our centre in Newtonmore.
Important information!
Award: Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award
Activity: Open Canoeing
Programme: Complete
Duration: 7 days total
Training: 1 day
Practice expedition: 2 days / 1 nights
Qualifying Expedition: 3 days / 2 nights
Location: Scottish Highlands / Scotland
Provider: Active Outdoor Pursuits
DofE status: Approved Activity Provider Licence: AALA
Participants should arrive at the agreed meeting location at the time specified in their joining instructions.
Ready for your Silver canoe expedition?
The Silver DofE expedition starts here
The complete programme takes you from learning the skills to putting them into practice and finally demonstrating them on your qualifying expedition.
You don’t just arrive and paddle.
You learn, practise, review, improve and then qualify.
That is what makes the nine-day programme such a rewarding Gold DofE experience.
Book the Complete Silver DofE Canoe Programme
Check available dates and prices
If you are booking for a school or group of four or more, contact Active Outdoor Pursuits to discuss dates, group requirements and a bespoke programme.
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