Duke of Edinburgh

[misstrunchball]

Well, she has returned from her weekend away doing her Bronze D of E..... She is finding it difficult to walk due to being permanently attached to her rucksack for two days but has now had a bath and is watching Disney Channel whilst wearing her onesie! Every now and then I get a groan from her when she tries to move but I am so proud that she has done it .

Too soon to ask if she is doing Silver as she has said she never wants to see the countryside again but I am hoping she will feel better about it next year

I just wanted everyone to know how proud I am of her and keep telling her the pain will go soon and that dinner will be ready soon. She is looking forward to a meal that she hasn't had to cook and doesn't contain pasta.....

My son was the same last Sunday when he returned - definitely not doing Silver. I've just asked him again and he said, "Yeah, I probably will!"

Well done to Little Miss Trunchball. Hope the aches and pains go away soon.

My DS is doing his Bronze expedition next weekend. Am keepng fingers crossed that the weather is better than it has been, otherwise they will be in danger of their tents being washed away!!! DS had the heaviest rucksack on their practise run so am expecting that he will be aching next Sunday too. At least he'll be able to have a lie in on Monday.

Yey! As a DofE leader, I love hearing about these sorts of things. Our Bronze students were so excited and enthusiastic on their expedition even though the weather was vile.

If they're not sure about carrying on with it, tell them I have never seen students as proud of their achievements as those who have completed their Gold expedition. It's so worth it!

where abouts are you? - saw some very chatty and smiley looking girls on DofE who seemed to be having a great time today although this was quite early so maybe they werent too tired yet!

I'm in Buckinghamshire and there were about 7 groups from our school doing Bronze today and probably about the same doing Silver.

She has now had her dinner and soaked her feet as they feel like they are burning up - her description. I washed her hair over the bath as she can't lift both arms up and is already saying she will probably be late for all lessons tomorrow as she can't move very fast.

I just feel really proud of her as her practice walk was abandoned around 5.30am on the Sunday as the weather overnight was atrocious(sp) and half the tents fell down and nobody slept. I thought she might jack it all in at that point but went ahead and really enjoyed it. I just wish I had done it way back when!!

Ds did his gold practise in snowdonia at Easter and ended up waist high in snow, but he loved every minute of it.
Last week he and two mates decided to walk the 76 miles to my mums house in Norfolk.
They learnt so much from their d of e on preparation, and were so well organized, they did it in 3 days and arrived in one piece but a bit smelly at my mums.

Well done!

DD did her practice bronze a few weeks ago. they were quite lucky with the weather that weekend, just a little rain in the night.
Suffered with her back for a couple of days after (her pack was over 2 stone, and she's only about 5ft 3in). Not helpled by launching straight into work experience the follwing fortnight.

Swore shw would do the real one in September, but no way silver.

Fairly quick recovery though, so think (hope) she will change her mind.

Awww -well done to your DD. My DD did her bronze too. She's done the volunteering and skills for silver but couldn't be bothered to do the expedition :( But she is very busy. I wonder if unis, employers etc are impressed with any DofE certificate or if they value the silver and gold more?

Maryz D of E doesn't tend to give distances that have to be walked as of course it depends on the terrain. They give the amount of activity time in the day and then the amount of that time that has to be devoted to the journey. I think the expeds are similar as the Bronze D of E is started when you are 14 and I believe that the gaisce bronze is started at 15 so is equivalent to the silver. Not that any of that actually matters does it... I just think it is great that teenagers get their acts together and do something positive? I think it shows great stamina to complete any of the Awards but especially the Gold.

Where do the Gold Gaisce award holders go to get their Awards as you probably know for DCs in the UK they go to St James Palace. Do they get it actually from the President?

Well done!

I was always amazed that my DD, who wouldn't leave the house without perfect hair, clothes & make-up, got through her DofE to Gold! Hair was braided as no combs in backpacks, and she even coped with getting a tick removed by a teacher on Silver.

It is a great scheme, and finding things to do for skill & volunteering etc is fun. I also really admire the staff who give up their time to do this with the children.

I still have very fond (achey, sore, stiff...) memories of all my D of E expeditions, many years ago. I took my Mum to St James's Palace to collect my Gold Award.

DofE counts! I have experience of recruiting and I know that a DofE has been the deciding factor to offer a job.

Shows what you are made of! Encourage your DC's to keep it up.