At every level teams are expected to devise and plan their own expedition route (though at bronze level we will be using a slightly simplified route card format). At Gold candidates will need to spend the night before the expedition together in a hostel to facilitate a prompt start the next morning.
It is expected that candidate's mobile phones will be surrendered at the start of each training session and returned at the end. Teams using remote or wild country will be tracked in real-time using GPS satellite technology and supervisors will ensure that hill going teams carry a locator beacon and a dedicated mobile phone for emergency use.
“Working with a team of peers in the outdoors, experiencing isolation and solitude develops self-reliance and self-confidence”. (DofE Expedition Guide, p2, key principles). TrailShadow believe that teams can only rise to this challenge where they are properly motivated and trained. The DofE emphasises isolation and self reliance i.e. when on expedition there should be only minimal contact between the team and their supervisor, their assessor and the general public. TrailShadow are very mindful of safety but nevertheless believe it essential that teams on expedition are unassisted and so will likely meet staff briefly and only once each day.
By Gold level it is recommended that each candidate procure their own compass (Silva Mark 4 or equivalent) and at Silver level every participant should have a basic digital wristwatch with stop-watch functionality. It is suggested that all candidates get their own personal midge net.
Each team will have a named qualified Mountain Leader as their expedition supervisor responsible for their training and safety. It is expected that all candidates attend every training session and it is the responsibility of the candidate or their parent/guardian to arrange drop-off and pick-up at the locations used for training.
It is expected that candidate's mobile phones will be surrendered at the start of each training session and returned at the end. Teams using remote or wild country will be tracked in real-time using GPS satellite technology and supervisors will ensure that hill going teams carry a locator beacon and a dedicated mobile phone for emergency use.
“Working with a team of peers in the outdoors, experiencing isolation and solitude develops self-reliance and self-confidence”. (DofE Expedition Guide, p2, key principles). TrailShadow believe that teams can only rise to this challenge where they are properly motivated and trained. The DofE emphasises isolation and self reliance i.e. when on expedition there should be only minimal contact between the team and their supervisor, their assessor and the general public. TrailShadow are very mindful of safety but nevertheless believe it essential that teams on expedition are unassisted and so will likely meet staff briefly and only once each day.
By Gold level it is recommended that each candidate procure their own compass (Silva Mark 4 or equivalent) and at Silver level every participant should have a basic digital wristwatch with stop-watch functionality. It is suggested that all candidates get their own personal midge net.
Each team will have a named qualified Mountain Leader as their expedition supervisor responsible for their training and safety. It is expected that all candidates attend every training session and it is the responsibility of the candidate or their parent/guardian to arrange drop-off and pick-up at the locations used for training.