Do your DofE expedition with TrekCo, the friendly DofE company! TrekCo run a programme of Open Expeditions at Gold level for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Those participants who can’t, for a variety of reasons, either find a group locally or participate at the same time as their local group may sign up independently for an Open Expedition.

This 3 day expedition fulfils the requirements of DofE Gold. Normally there's a 5-day practice, but if you can't make those dates this could be the solution for you.

It's based in the Chilterns, accessible easily from London (public transport to Chesham) or the M4/M40/M25.

DofE Gold Expeditions are a coming of age event for many - test yourself in a challenging environment, work with your team to overcome the obstacles presented by carrying a big pack over the hills in sometimes good, sometimes bad, weather... but these are the memories you'll take away forever.

This DofE Gold Practise Expedition is 3 days long, camping for 2 nights, and includes a training day on Day 1 followed by a 2 day walking expedition on Days 2 and 3.

You may have heard that you have to walk 50 miles on your DofE Gold Expedition, but that rule changed long ago. You have to spend 8 hours each day in 'planned activity', 6 of which should be walking - but there is no specified distance. You have to devise, with your supervisor, a suitable route which will take approximately that long. The other hours will be spent on your expedition 'aim' - again to be decided as a group.

Gold expeditions used to be specified “Wild Country’ areas but this definition has been broadened, enabling us to offer Gold Practise in more accessible areas.

The DofE is a serious commitment - there are four other sections and a Residential to complete at Gold level in addition to the Expedition, and they all need time, effort and perseverance.

Make sure your expedition preparation is thorough; it really is all important! You need to be fit so you should undertake some practice walks before coming on an expedition - make sure you are used to carrying a rucksack before you have to do it for real.

The idea of an expedition is that you’re not directly supervised by adults - so you need to make your own decisions and conduct yourself sensibly. It’s about teamwork, not each person just getting to the finish line.

People often ask if they’ve passed or failed, and think that if they take a wrong turn or are late then they’ve failed their expedition. It’s about keeping safe and getting back on track, realising where you’ve gone wrong and changing things - not just ticking boxes!

For full information, download the brochure from the link below which tells you all you need to know. Kit lists can be viewed on the DofE website at: https://www.dofe.org/shop/dofe-expedition-kit-list/