Duke of Edinburgh mixed sex groups for expedition

[donutqueen11]

My son is in year 9 and has come home from school with a letter about Duke of Edinburgh. He is quite interested but the only problem we have is he doesn't have any male friends - all his friends are girls- therefore on the expedition I am presuming that he would have to be in a group with boys or at least sleep in a tent with boys - does anyone know if they allow mix sex groups?? I can't for one minute believe they would allow him so sleep in a tent with his female friends but just wanted clarification if anyone knows or has been in a similar situation with their son or daughter.

When I did duke of Ed about 10 years ago we were allowed mixed sex groups. Think we just needed separate tents as it was organised through our school.

Yep mixed sex groups very common.

There are mixed sex groups but they sleep separately, he will make friends with boys and girls on the course. Have you asked the school what courses they are running, what expedition is he interested in.

When I did it it was mixed sex and didn't register as something to think about.

Mixed sex groups fine, just needs to take his own single tent!

If nothing has changed then they allow up to 7 in one group, mixed sex groups fine, but tent groups were by sex. A very lightweight one man tent would enable him to go with a group of girls.

My group 25 years ago was 3 girls and 4 boys. We had a riot and stayed as an exped group for all levels despite not knowing each other before.

My daughter has just done her silver practice expedition in a group of 6 - five boys plus her (her friend was meant to be going but couldn’t make the dates). It was fine - they stayed together the whole time and she had her own tent to sleep in. She really enjoyed it and is looking forward to the main expedition next year.

She also wasn’t with her regular group of friends who aren’t interested in d of e but the set up means the groups work together to survive the trip - it’s quite a bonding process!

Thank you for all your replies. It would be bronze in may of next year. He is autistic and loves performing and singing and doesnt' play football or any sports but loved the outdoor element to cubs. He is very social and confident and loves people so he is looking forward to volunteering maybe at beavers or in a charity shop. He just finds it really hard to make friends with boys unless they are much much younger and he is scared to have to sleep with them as all they will talk about is football and ps4!! He has also been bullied by groups of boys although I keep telling him I don't think these particular boys will do Duke of Edinburgh. That is good if they are allowed to do the expedition mixed sex. When he did school residentials at primary the teachers were very good at putting him in sleeping quarters with like minded boys as he has always only ever had female friends. I know part of D of E is about new experiences and making new friends and he is fine with this - he just worries I think that he will be bullied by the boys!!

Tell the school and they should keep an eye on him, perhaps give him to a sensible boy to be looked after. All this happened with one of mine.

My daughter is currently on her silver expedition. She is in a group with all boys. They cant camp at the monent (covid) but when she did her bronze she had her own tent.

Ds did his over night camp 2 weeks ago and they had mixed groups but separate tents for boys and girls, 3-4 to a tent.

What are they doing instead of camping? Staying in youth hostels?
Such a shame.