A question about D of E and expeditions

[EBearhug]

Today (or rather yesterday,) I went to the funeral of my D of E leader. Had my gold badge on and everything. Three of my expedition buddies were there, too - we did our expeditions in the late '80s. Obviously, there was much reminiscence, especially as there was an album full of photos and award notices and newspaper cuttings and so on. He was clearly proud of us all - and we were all there, over 30 years later.

One of my friends, her son did his bronze expedition in the last year or so. Apparently half the school year was doing it, and though they were walking in smaller groups, they all camped in the same place, loads of them, and followed the route - which they were just given.

In our day, we had to do all the planning, and do a project as part of it. We learnt the difference between true north, grid north and magnetic north for taking bearings and planning our route plan. We had to work out appropriate checkpoint places where the supervisors would meet us, and had to plan escape routes in case of emergencies. We also had to do timings, including working out how gradients would add to our walking pace. We did all this for the practice and the real thing, bronze, silver and gold. We deserved those awards - we worked hard for them!

If they're just given a route and told to follow it - why? How does this fulfil the requirements? Why aren't they doing the planning? Don't they have to do a project any more? Do they learn to do proper map reading? Is this just how bronze is done these days? I have looked at the DofE website, but it hasn't fully enlightened me. From what I can tell, there should be some sort of project/purpose, but only silver and gold needs a presentation. It all sounds a bit industrial and pointless if they're not really doing any work for it. Have we misunderstood, or is that how things are now?

My dd did her full set a few years ago, they had to do the route planning for all of them, not all doing the same route. I think the leader made suggestions according to the abilities of the different groups. They carried all their kit - tents, stoves etc. Her pack was bigger than she is!They couldn't take phones, each group was were issued with a basic brick strictly for emergencies

For all except the actual gold, which was wild camping in Scotland, they camped in the same place - I'd be pretty sure this is the norm as in most of England you can't wild camp so it has to be a campsite of some sort.

I guess some schools are limited because they may not be able to take their groups to areas with loads of possible route. DDs was great because they could start in silverdale (moderate terrain, loads and loads of intersecting paths), progress to the Yorkshire dales, then Lake District and finally Scotland. Whereas when we've been walking elsewhere we've sometimes encountered many groups spread out on the same path because it's really the only one worth doing.

When my dd did her bronze, an adult from school accompanied every group.

I was furious to be honest. Although silently.

I sold it to her as such a wonderful and bonding experience that she was going to have with her friends and instead they were just bossed around by an adult.