• 03 01, 2019
• Explorers
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Over the summer 11 Claygate Explorers successfully completed their DofE Silver Expeditions - both practise and assessed. They were able to complete both hiking and canoeing expeditions, this being a first for Claygate.

The practice expeditions were earlier in the summer with the canoeists navigating the Medway and the hikers around Ashdown Forest looking for Winnie the Pooh. It was a very hot weekend which suited the canoeists more, but all finished successfully with lessons learned along the way. 

Then over 3 days of Friday 30th August - Sunday 1st September the Explorers successfully completed their Silver DofE assessed expeditions; again one a hiking expedition in the New Forest and the other a canoeing expedition down the Thames. 

The lessons learned from the practice expedition were applied and both expeditions completed as planned. The weather was generally kind but the days were long, particularly the middle day. Perseverance combined with good navigation, camping and cooking skills were shown along with great teamwork. The teamwork was particularly pleasing as there was a mix of ages, gender, and for the hiking expedition a mix of Explorer units with 3 Dittons Explorers joining 4 from Claygate, yet all got on and worked well together. 

A big thank you to the assessors, supervisors, paddlesports team and drivers who gave up their time to ensure the expeditions were a success.  

To see more photos please click here