DofE kit - where to buy

[Confuzzleduzzled]

DD1 is doing her bronze DofE expedition. We are not a camping family so have no kit and no clue. Where is the best place to get everything without spending a fortune? I don’t want to spend loads if this is a one off but it’s possible she might enjoy it and want to do silver.

The easiest place is wherever is nearest to you. Millets is generally good prices, and remember you get a d of e discount if you show the app.

Most of the retailers are clearing summer camping stocks at the moment - Decathlon, Regatta, etc. Or get on Facebook Marketplace to see what people local to you are selling off after their camping trips.

Has she got a list of what she needs?

Decathlon are reasonable and we've always found their stuff good quality.
DD got a lot of her kit from there for bits we didn't already have.
Can they hire bits from school or whoever you're doing it through?
DD could hire a rucksack, tent and all the cooking bits for not a lot of money.
I bought thing like dry sacks from
Amazon.
We were lucky in that we already had sleeping bags, roll mats, walking boots and clothes and just picked up a few extra bits.
DD loved it and has just signed up for silver.

School provided most of the equipment, I think I just bought walking boots, plate/cutlery, and waterproofs.

First stop : school. Especially if they have been running the award for a long time . Our school even has walking boots they can borrow .
I would absolutely advise you to buy as little as possible until she has at least done her practice expedition- she might hate it and equipment can be expensive.

failing that do you have a school what’s app/ Facebook page ? Ask on there . Last years kids might have stuff that they can lend .

I'd honestly check with your friends first, it's 2 days so not worth buying all the kit. Her own boots, yes, but these don't need to be new, just make sure they get broken in, the rest you really don't need to spend much on. Who is she doing it with? They may have spare loan kit, I know my boys scout group and school do.

Mountain Warejouse, Millets, go outdoors

I kn how in Moutbain Warehouse you c as. Get discount if you’re saying you going DofE (may need to show evidence).

Do t forget that if you are buying new kit, the DofE card gives you a discount with some retailers. www.dofe.org/shop/card/

Go outdoors and decathlon are two good value bets, and there will be decent boots at either.

Agree with asking about borrowing at least a rucksack - it’s such a waste of you’re not going to use again.

Mine had my very old 70l rucksack and own sleeping bag. I bought boots, a new sleeping mat and waterproofs from mountain warehouse (10% discount). School provided the tent and stove and they had a list of other things that could be borrowed.

Have a look at larger charity shops, particularly for rucksacks and sleeping bags (just put through washing machine)

Might be worth posting the kitlist on here, people will be able to give better advice. The organisers (school or explorers usually) provide the tents but it then depends what else they provide (trianga (the stove for cooking on) - ask !. People buy too much, some of it is really unsuitable too, and the kids often struggle to carry it - self inflating mats for example). There are often people who have this sort of stuff, so ask around first. If I had to say what was most important - Good boots (not hyper expensive, but ones that fit and have been "worn in" and are waterproof) thick walking socks, spare socks and a proper waterproof coat (and trousers). The sleeping bag is important - light but warm, and probably 3 season, again borrow if you can. A headtorch is really important, but unless you are loaded, do not go down the line of buying the best one on the market, the LED ones (like a yellowy strip) from Amazon for less than £5 perform better than some of the big brands (and I have tried them all !). The other thing is coach your daughter to get her outdoor gear on when it starts to rain. Yes, it is a royal pain in the arse to have to stop and put waterproof trousers and coat on when it is only "spitting", but before you know it you are soaked, staying dry is really important. (D of E and Scout leader here). Hope this helps, it is a lovely thing to do, even if a challenge ! x

Excellent advice above.
Is she doing it in the UK or abroad?
Used is best value.
Plenty go camping and hate it then sell up.
Ours took a Jet Boil stove as the Trangia's they tend to use on D of E are very slow. You could buy a used jet boil then get you money back once she has been.
How big is she you have to consider the weight of all the stuff.
We did a practice cooking and camping in the garden as much of the stuff they take isn't required.
Pack the essentials in a Dry bag inside the rucksack.
First night our son took pita bread and a tin of hot dogs the rest ate ration packs which are not always good, he ended up sharing and now it's a trick they all do.
You can sometimes get Nutella in a Tube like Tooth paste some of the Eastern European food shops have it they also do chocolate filled croissants which are good energy filing food.
Always take a bag of boiled fruit sweets, when they feel tired eat one its surprising how much it picks them up.
Have some emergency cash my kids had a credit card on my account incase of emergencies.
From memory the Wayfarer ration packs are good but best to try at home as if they don't like them they will be hungry and this will affect decision making.
The Top tip my kids liked was the Boiled sweets and when you get to camp first job is get the water boiled whilst the rest of the group erect the tents then once the tents are up food should be on the way, its simple planning and easy when you know how but best learnt before the event.
Ask the organisers about if things go wrong, you have to be certain they are able to manage any situation. Track your daughter on the journey, remember she might have no phone signal. Oh and a power bank for phone charging, Burn gel, Blister plasters and a basic first aid knowledge. She will either love it or hate it!