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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

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Original poster

DofE Bronze Physical Element if not sporty

76 replies

WhenDoISleep · 16/02/2023 20:46

DS1 is doing his Bronze DofE. He has the volunteer/skill/expedition elements sorted, but is struggling with the physical. Most of the other boys in his school are using weekend sports clubs (football, rugby) for the physical element, but he is not at all sporty and has never done weekend clubs, etc. He has swimming lessons once a week, but is the level below pre-club so only does 0.5 hour rather than the 1 hour per week needed.

He intended to do walking, but when I spoke to him, he admitted he doesn’t think he is going to be motivated enough to do that consistently each week for the 3 months required. I was concerned about the physical element when he signed up as he is struggling with his weight and motivation to be more active. I would much prefer he did something structured, a class or course, but neither of us knows what the best option is.

Does/did anyone have an unsporty DC in a similar position and what did they do for the physical element?

OP posts:

CheeseSquared · 19/02/2023 11:34

We're a bit stuck for volunteer ideas that won't take ages each week.

We've got music as the skill. She spends so much time every week in orchestras and rehearsals every week. Bit that limits time available for other things. We don't want to spend a whole day effectively every week on the other bits so needs to be contained.

I've wondered about climbing as an activity but I don't know I'd she'd manage to go every week. What happens if they miss a week? Or can they do a couple of hours a fortnight?

TeenDivided · 19/02/2023 11:44

@CheeseSquared Why is your DD doing DofE? Serious question, she sounds busy already with her music. That shows teamwork and long term commitment. If the aim of the other sections is to 'do the minimum to get the certificate' rather than 'gain new experiences, round her as a person' or whatever, is it really time well spent for her?

My DD really benefitted from DofE, but she didn't have anything she could show long term commitment to. her volunteering was in an area that she was considering as a career, and she wanted to learn to skate.

CheeseSquared · 19/02/2023 12:29

She hasn't started yet but will do it either with scouts when she moves up or school . As her older friends are doing it we've started to think about it.

She's really excited about it - particularly the expedition. I think its a great scheme but just stuck for ideas!

nicknamehelp · 19/02/2023 12:40

What about couch to 5 k as would see progress rather than just walking and could do park run each week.

LittleOwl153 · 19/02/2023 12:44

If she does it with scouts they usually volunteer with a younger section for that part - or sometimes at the local campsite with equipment etc.

LittleOwl153 · 19/02/2023 12:50

Park run is a good physical activity for DofE as it clocks your attendance /time automatically. If walked the 5k is 45/60mins and additional walks can be added to add extra time. The park run crew will happily sign off kids who have a record on their system - goals can be attending ever week, completing the course, decreasing time by 5%/10% from first to last etc. So easy to comment on. As others have said great practice/ stamina building for expedition too.

CheeseSquared · 19/02/2023 12:51

LittleOwl - she's been told she has to be 16 to volunteer with the younger sections as that's what she wanted to do. So will be great for gold but not for bronze/silver!

CheeseSquared · 19/02/2023 12:52

Park run would be great for this wouldn't it. It wouldn't be a whole hour though every week or do you count the faffing before and after?

CheeseSquared · 19/02/2023 12:53

Ah just saw you said additional walks... she sometimes walks home from school ... but she could do a proper walk. Will see .

TaskmasterAssistant · 19/02/2023 12:58

Parkrun would be good for volunteering @CheeseSquared. Is there a junior parkrun near you as that would be less time out of a day. Volunteering at regular parkrun is more like 8.30 to some time after 10am.

parrotonmyshoulder · 19/02/2023 13:00

Good ideas on this thread, thank you. DD has some SEN which means she needs a bit more support. She is doing litter picking for volunteering which is going really well. The whole family are going to do a sailing course together which will cover her sport/ physical. Getting going with the skill recording isn’t going so well.

DelphiniumBlue · 19/02/2023 13:06

Unsporty DS did martial arts for his- he'd done some when he was younger so wasn't a total novice, but even if he had been it would have been OK.
He doesn't have to like it, in fact, it's more character building if he doesn't! This is supposed to be about independence and self-reliance, so let him find what's on locally and sign up for it.
DS was bit of a chubster too, it didn't affect him being able to learn karate, whereas he didn't want to do swimming as he was bit self-conscious.

CheeseSquared · 19/02/2023 13:12

I keep getting a Leith cookery course advert online aimed at D of E that looks amazing. No idea how much and my diaghter will probably do music at least first time round but it looks brilliant !

Original poster

WhenDoISleep · 19/02/2023 15:11

CheeseSquared · 19/02/2023 12:51

LittleOwl - she's been told she has to be 16 to volunteer with the younger sections as that's what she wanted to do. So will be great for gold but not for bronze/silver!

Young people in Scouts can become Young Leaders from 14. It could be your Scout Group prefers YL to be older for a particular reason. However, she should be able to volunteer as a YL at a different Group within your District, it would be something to discuss when she signs up for D of E, so don’t write it off as an option yet.

OP posts:

Sadlifter · 19/02/2023 15:36

CheeseSquared · 19/02/2023 13:12

I keep getting a Leith cookery course advert online aimed at D of E that looks amazing. No idea how much and my diaghter will probably do music at least first time round but it looks brilliant !

2k.

Ashhead24 · 19/02/2023 16:03

Do any of the local pools do underwater hockey or water polo if he likes swimming? They're always glad of new members. We've had a few kids do d of e with our underwater hockey club.

CheeseSquared · 19/02/2023 16:10

2k?!?!?!?!?! Omg no idea why my Facebook algorithm thinks we could afford that 🤣.

Ah interesting about the scouts. Maybe it's 16 to volunteer in the scouts they've just left? Will find out!

This thread has great ideas thanks OP for starting it! Hope you get sorted.

Original poster

WhenDoISleep · 19/02/2023 16:14

CheeseSquared · 19/02/2023 16:10

2k?!?!?!?!?! Omg no idea why my Facebook algorithm thinks we could afford that 🤣.

Ah interesting about the scouts. Maybe it's 16 to volunteer in the scouts they've just left? Will find out!

This thread has great ideas thanks OP for starting it! Hope you get sorted.

The Leiths D of E course is £195 I think - still a bit pricey, but definitely not £2k.

OP posts:

Sadlifter · 19/02/2023 16:38

Ah sorry - it is 2k for the full course.

CheeseSquared · 19/02/2023 16:45

I've just had a proper look £194 for 13 weeks actually isnt too bad and it's genuine skill building. It looks like you send your photos in as you go. If we get seriously interested I'll ask on here to see if anyone's done it!

onepieceoflollipop · 19/02/2023 16:54

@CheeseSquared
we had similar issues with the volunteering.
My dd now helps the leader of her music/choir activity - she does stuff like printing/admin. It’s easy ish to fit in as it is after her usual commitment.

Fruitloopcowabunga · 19/02/2023 16:57

Junior park run is 2k rather than 5k, so might be more achievable?

onepieceoflollipop · 19/02/2023 16:57

Also re the exercise (I appreciate the thread has moved on with lots of general DofE advice)

I’d make sure that anyone participating (my dc is about to do silver) is able to walk for several hours spread over a day. Otherwise it will be uncomfortable for them as individuals and they may delay their team during the expedition. It’s tiring anyway so best to build up to a reasonable level of walking fitness plus of course wear their walking boots in.

LIZS · 19/02/2023 17:12

Ds did climbing, what about sailing/canoeing/windsurfing?

ilovesushi · 25/02/2023 21:40

My DS who is probably about the same age and is not remotely sporty joined the gym and goes with a friend once a week. They are very committed and never miss a session. Could he find a friend willing to go too?

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