Silver DofE: Canoe Qualifier Expeditions
Our Silver DofE open qualifying expeditions for canoeing are available to book for groups of 4 or more. This consists of three days and two nights of a qualifying expedition run by our fully qualified coaches, instructors and DofE supervisors/assessors
From: £285.00
Duration
3 days
DofE’s
Silver Award
Scotland/Scottish Highlands
Open
Canoeing
£285
per person
Silver DofE Open Canoeing Qualifying Expedition
3 Days | 2 Nights | Scotland
Our Silver DofE Open Canoeing Qualifying Expedition is a three day, two-night expedition available to participants who have completed the required training and practice expedition.
Over three days, your team will travel by open canoe, navigate its planned route, manage its expedition equipment, camp overnight and work together to complete its journey.
Active Outdoor Pursuits provides instructors to supervise and assess the expedition.
What happens
on the programme?
Your Silver qualifying expedition
A silver DofE qualifying expedition must be a genuine expedition undertaken by the team. That means participants need to take responsibility for the journey rather than be guided by an instructor.
Your team will be expected to:
- Demonstrate safe, effective and efficient paddling techniques.
- Follow the planned route & navigate throughout the journey
- Manage its own expedition equipment
- Travel together as a team & maintain appropriate timings
- Prepare and manage camp & organise food and cooking
- Make appropriate decisions & work safely within the environment
- Demonstrate the skills developed during training and practice
Our instructors provide the appropriate supervision and safety cover while allowing the team to demonstrate its own expedition skills and independence.
The qualifying expedition is assessed by an appropriately accredited DofE Assessor.
The assessment looks at the team and its expedition against the relevant DofE requirements. The assessor will be looking at the way the team works together, manages the journey, navigates, deals with challenges and completes its planned expedition.
Following a successful assessment, the assessor’s report is submitted through eDofE.
Your expedition aim
Every DofE qualifying expedition needs a clearly defined team goal.
Your aim could involve:
- Investigating an area of environmental interest
- Exploring the history or geography of an area
- Developing a specific skill
- Studying wildlife or habitats
- Completing a photographic or creative project
- Developing teamwork or communication skills
The important thing is that the team understands its aim and can demonstrate how its expedition relates to it. Your DofE Leader or Active staff can provide guidance on developing an appropriate expedition aim.
Silver DofE Open Canoeing Qualifying Expedition with Active Outdoor Pursuits
3 days and 2 nights
The silver qualifying expedition consists of three days and two nights, with at least seven hours of planned activity each day.
The precise daily distances, paddling times and route will depend upon the expedition area, conditions, group ability and agreed expedition plan.
Why choose Active Outdoor Pursuits?
Active has been providing outdoor adventure activities in Scotland since 1999.
We are a DofE Approved Activity Provider and AALA License holder, our instructors have extensive experience delivering outdoor activities and expedition programmes for young people and adults.
We are based in the Scottish Highlands and regularly operate DofE and other expeditions across Scotland.
Our objective is to provide a professional, well-managed expedition service while allowing participants to experience the independence, teamwork and adventure that make the DofE expedition so rewarding.
Are you ready for the Silver qualifier?
Before booking your silver canoe qualifying expedition, participants must have completed the required training and an appropriate practice expedition in the same mode of travel.
Open expeditions and private groups
Our silver canoe qualifying expeditions are available to individuals joining an existing open expedition team as well as private groups, schools, youth and other groups, subject to dates and availability.
If you are a group of four or more and need dates to suit your programme, contact us to discuss a bespoke expedition.
What you need to know
What Active Outdoor Pursuits provides
Active can provide the specialist group equipment required for the expedition, including:
- Open canoes, paddles, buoyancy aids & helmets (if appropriate)
- Dry bags and or barrels
- Tents & camping mats, stoves & cooking equipment
Full details of equipment provision will be confirmed with your booking.
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
The Scottish outdoors can be challenging and conditions can change quickly.
Our instructors constantly monitor and consider weather, water conditions, terrain, participant ability, equipment, route choices and other environmental factors throughout the programme.
Safety management includes appropriate:
- Expedition planning
- Equipment checks
- Weather and conditions monitoring
- First-aid provision
- Communication arrangements
- Dynamic risk assessment
- Appropriate supervision
Active’s role is to provide the training, supervision and professional support that enables participants to undertake a successful expedition while developing their own skills and independence.
Where does the expedition take place?
Active Outdoor Pursuits is based at Craigower Lodge Outdoor Centre in Newtonmore, within the Cairngorms National Park. We run DofE canoe expeditions at carefully selected locations throughout Scotland. Common venues nearby include. Loch Ness & The Great Glen Canoe Trail, The River Spey, Loch Laggan, Loch Tay, Loch Shiel & more…
The exact expedition area and route will depend on the requirements of the group, water conditions, weather, access, participant ability and the objectives of the programme.
This allows us to select appropriate environments rather than forcing every group onto the same route.
Important information!
Award: Duke of Edinburgh’s Silver Award
Activity: Open Canoeing
Programme: Qualifying
Duration: 3 days
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.
Complete your Silver DofE Journey
If you have not yet completed your training and practice expedition, why not do the Complete silver DofE Canoe Programme?
Training Day, 2-Day Practice Expedition, Rest Day, 3-Day Qualifying Expedition
Check dates and availability
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