Best Duke of Edinburgh expedition tips

[Mondayforthebin]

DS is doing his Silver award over the summer and he's not really a natural at ourdoorsy things so I was quite surprised when he signed up. He had an intro day on Saturday and now is super anxious about everything and so I've said together we'll make sure he's properly kitted up, has the right food and equipment and then all he has to do is concentrate on the expedition (he's been fine with all other components).

Could you give me any tips on good equipment or things that really helped your DC out.

Thank you.

Oh and chocolate is not a great idea if the weather is hot. Cereal bars, jelly sweets and other heat stable treats.

I made ds take a pair of thin cotton socks for each day and a pair of converse, he was under strict instruction that after setting up camp he was to remove his boots and walking socks, wash and dry his feet and put on cotton socks and converse. We camp and hike and I know someone that got trench foot at a festival so I always make sure we all do this after wet or muddy walks!

Is Kendal Mint Cake still a thing?! We were told to take lots of that for energy when I did mine years ago 😁
Also flapjacks are great snacks

DS was on DoE in very hot weather. He was very grateful for his bucket style sunhat and a cooling towel draped round his neck.

Peperami sticks made a good portable snack for both my DCs’ expeditions. And they were both glad to have Crocs or Croc flip-flops for the campsite.

Definitely take Compeed blister plasters, get him to wear the boots in beforehand and make sure he takes proper walking socks.

Mine both brought long reach lighters which proved very popular with all the expedition members for lighting the stoves.

Try to pack as little as possible.

Put the compeed plaster on as soon as you feel the hot patch on your foot: before the blister appears.
Take boiled sweets which last longer and are good for morale.
Our team ate pasta and sauce sachets with pepperami, individually wrapped choc pancakes, pain au chocolate. Malt loaf is good too as its already squashed - travels well. Porridge for breakfast.

All great tips. Thank you

Download the app - it gives loads of tips and discount vouchers.

We invested in a good quality rucksack and a good pair of boots - both still in use years later. A rucksack with a full length zip makes finding stuff easier. Micofibre towel dries quickly and is light weight. Our assessors were a real pain - wanted healthy food and didnt appreciate too much sugar. Trail mix was acceptable or dates. Pasta and sauce sachets are cheaper than ready meals. One group took frozen bacon. Head torch for use at camp sites.

Get the boots fitted with the socks they will be wearing and take them for many walks to wear the boots in. Blister plasters are still a must.

Definitely a selection of sizes of Compeed blister plasters. Also a few antiseptic wipes. If applying the Compeed clean the skin with the wipe first and let it dry completely. Then put plaster on clean, dry skin and it should stay put for several days.

Wear boots in thoroughly (very thoroughly!)