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Expedition
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Achieving your Award is an adventure from beginning to end and this section can give you some of your most memorable experiences!
From sailing along the Norfolk Broads to walking in Canada or horse riding in the Brecon Beacons, it can be as far-flung or as close to home as you want it to be. You can also choose how you want to travel – it doesn’t just have to be on foot! You could choose to do your expedition by bike, by canoe, by kayak, by wheelchair, by sailing boat or even on a horse or llama! There’ll need to be between four and seven of you in an expedition team (eight if you’ve chosen to travel by tandem canoe or bike). With your team, you’ll plan an aim for your expedition, decide on a location and do lots of fun training to make sure you’re fully prepared and know what you’re doing! Your Leader will arrange a Supervisor to work with you to organise all this and help plan your expedition. |
Once you’ve done the preparation the fun starts when you go out and do a practice and a qualifying expedition. Once you’ve completed your final expedition you’ll give a presentation about your experiences and your achievements to your Supervisor, Assessor or another adult.
The whole experience will give you laughs, arguments, joy and frustration along the way. But, by the end, you’ll have better team and leadership skills, not to mention bags more confidence and a rucksack full of great memories! “…we depended solely on everyone working as one. We had very low points, but when we had highs, they were exceptionally high…I still keep in touch with my team… this has to be one of the best things I have done…” Tim, Silver Award holder |
What do you need to do next?
Going on expedition?
Don't forget your two essential expedition downloads, the DofE kit guide - advice and information on the kit you'll need and the DofE kit list - your check list to make sure you have and have packed the kit you'll need.
Good luck and have fun!
Expedition section requirements
What counts for my expedition?
For your Expedition section, you will need to plan, train for and complete an unaccompanied, self-reliant expedition with an agreed aim. You must do the correct training for your level and mode of travel, at least one practice expedition, a qualifying expedition (the one that is assessed) and a final presentation in order to complete the section.
Your expedition must be completed by your own physical efforts (but you have loads of choices, not just on foot!) with minimal external intervention and without motorised assistance. Your route should also be a continuous journey.
The definitive rules can be found in The Handbook for DofE Leaders, and the DofE Expedition Guide available in the DofE Shop
Read the 20 conditions of all DofE expeditions - these must be met for your expedition to qualify for your Award.
At Gold your expedition must be in wild country - find out more about wild country and download the forms you need from the expedition downloads page .
How long does my expedition need to be?
As long as you've completed your training, practice and qualifying expeditions before your 25th birthday you can still achieve an Award. The table below shows the amount of time required for the qualifying expedition for each level.
Level Duration Minimum hours of planned activity each day
Bronze 2 days and At least 6 hours during the daytime
1 night (at least 3 of which must be spent journeying)
Silver 3 days and At least 7 hours during the daytime
2 nights (at least 3.5 of which must be spent journeying)
Gold 4 days and At least 8 hours during the daytime
3 nights (at least 4 of which must be spent journeying)
The time associated with overnight accommodation and catering is additional to the minimum daytime hours of planned activity.
What to do in five simple steps:
Don't forget to collect lots of photographs, letters, certificates etc. along the way for your eDofE account. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Check out our ideas for each category to inspire you! Remember, this is not a set list - you can set up your own expedition as long as it meets the DofE's requirements and it's approved by your Leader, Expedition Supervisor, Assessor and Licensed Organisation.
- Find out what you need to do in detail, including the process and timescales, on our expedition requirements page
- Check out the ideas in each of the categories of expedition mode of travel using the links on the right (remember - you need to get your Leader to agree your choice and make sure it fits our requirements and 20 conditions)
- Download a handy Expedition section programme planner
- Download a list of expedition ideas
- Develop a plan for your expedition which is specific and relevant to you (and your team)
- Once you've got your activity, Supervisor, Assessor and goals sorted, set up your plan in eDofE, get your Leader to approve them - and you're good to go!
Going on expedition?
Don't forget your two essential expedition downloads, the DofE kit guide - advice and information on the kit you'll need and the DofE kit list - your check list to make sure you have and have packed the kit you'll need.
Good luck and have fun!
Expedition section requirements
What counts for my expedition?
For your Expedition section, you will need to plan, train for and complete an unaccompanied, self-reliant expedition with an agreed aim. You must do the correct training for your level and mode of travel, at least one practice expedition, a qualifying expedition (the one that is assessed) and a final presentation in order to complete the section.
Your expedition must be completed by your own physical efforts (but you have loads of choices, not just on foot!) with minimal external intervention and without motorised assistance. Your route should also be a continuous journey.
The definitive rules can be found in The Handbook for DofE Leaders, and the DofE Expedition Guide available in the DofE Shop
Read the 20 conditions of all DofE expeditions - these must be met for your expedition to qualify for your Award.
At Gold your expedition must be in wild country - find out more about wild country and download the forms you need from the expedition downloads page .
How long does my expedition need to be?
As long as you've completed your training, practice and qualifying expeditions before your 25th birthday you can still achieve an Award. The table below shows the amount of time required for the qualifying expedition for each level.
Level Duration Minimum hours of planned activity each day
Bronze 2 days and At least 6 hours during the daytime
1 night (at least 3 of which must be spent journeying)
Silver 3 days and At least 7 hours during the daytime
2 nights (at least 3.5 of which must be spent journeying)
Gold 4 days and At least 8 hours during the daytime
3 nights (at least 4 of which must be spent journeying)
The time associated with overnight accommodation and catering is additional to the minimum daytime hours of planned activity.
What to do in five simple steps:
- Preparation – You will need to plan your expedition, including team members, its aim, how you will travel and the environment you'll travel through. Your Leader and/or Expedition Supervisor will help you to plan this. Use the electronic programme planner in eDofE or download a paper programme planner from the expedition downloads page .
- Training – You will undertake training in both general expedition skills and your chosen mode of travel. Your Leader and/or Expedition Supervisor will help you to do this. Find out more about training for each level from our expedition downloads page .
- Practice expedition - You must do as many practice expeditions as you need until you are able to travel safely and complete your qualifying expedition.
- Qualifying expedition – Once you are fully prepared, you'll do your qualifying expedition, which will be observed by a DofE-accredited Assessor. Your Leader and/or Expedition Supervisor will help you arrange this. On completion you'll be debriefed by your Assessor and then prepare and give a presentation of your expedition, which must cover your aim(s), experiences and outcomes.
You can give this presentation to your Assessor, your Leader, your Expedition Supervisor or another nominated adult. You can give this in a variety of ways - from a PowerPoint to a drama sketch, an exhibtion or an online blog - it's up to you.
- Assessment - your final assessment will be from your Assessor and the person who saw your presentation. They can submit their report online at www.DofE.org/assessor
Don't forget to collect lots of photographs, letters, certificates etc. along the way for your eDofE account. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- A leaflet or information sheet from your chosen expedition area
- Some pictures of your doing your training, practice and qualifying expeditions
- Pictures that show your aim (for example, if you're studying trees, take photos or make sketches)
- Certificates of completion for any training courses
- A copy of your presentation
- Assessor's report - they can write this for you on an Assessor's Report card for you to upload (remember to mark it as your Assessor's Report).
Check out our ideas for each category to inspire you! Remember, this is not a set list - you can set up your own expedition as long as it meets the DofE's requirements and it's approved by your Leader, Expedition Supervisor, Assessor and Licensed Organisation.