Duke of Edinburgh Expedition

Nearly 80 pupils in Year 9 embarked on a two-day adventure, in preparation for their Bronze Award assessed expedition.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is well-established at South Hampstead. The vast majority of pupils embark on the scheme each year, taking part in an impressive array of challenging expeditions as well as learning new skills and giving back through volunteering and community work. On the final weekend of the spring term, twelve groups of students packed their rucksacks, ready to navigate their way through the Chilterns. Armed with tents, cooking stoves, maps, compasses and plenty of snacks, the excited hikers were spotted by Mrs Bingham on the Metropolitan Line as they made their way to Chorleywood.

Alina, Anastasia, Heloise, Imogen and Sophie report back on their experience:

‘When we first put on our bags, we had no idea how we would make it…  but we soon realised that tightening the rucksack straps in the right places made it bearable, and we quickly got used to the weight. With the help of our instructor,  we learned how to navigate as well as some useful methods for staying motivated: chanting, being positive, and watching our progress on the map as we neared camp. 

At the camp, we put up our tent after what felt like an eternity of struggling… then came the challenge of cooking dinner: dry pasta and tomato sauce in powder form. Huge success! We put on our head torches and washed up in the freezing cold water… The sky was clear when night fell, so lots of us lay on the grass and watched the stars. Finally, at 9.30pm, the only sound to be heard was some occasional giggling followed by loud shushing from tent roommates who were trying to sleep. Around 3am, the temperature had dropped and we woke shivering; after putting on an extra three layers, we warmed up enough to get back to sleep until the morning and the calamity of preparing early breakfast. As we packed up, we encountered an arachnid problem – a large spider was spotted and fell into someone’s bag. Luckily, it was found and thrown out – although we subsequently set off a little behind schedule.  

We really liked the different landscapes; we walked through fields, forests, farms, rocky paths and alongside roads. Overall, it was an amazing experience; as tiring as it was, it was great to be outside.’