Duke of Edinburgh's Award - can anyone help me please?

[Janstar]

DD1 is doing the Bronze level at the moment and has her practice weekend this weekend.

After assuring me that she could borrow all the kit, and a trip last weekend to buy boots, I thought she was all sorted. But last night she announced that promises from friends were not materialising and that we would need to go shopping one afternoon after school to buy her requirements.

As you can imagine I was pretty annoyed, especially as if we had gone at the weekend we wouldn't have had to take a 3 yr old with us! On further enquiries this morning I find that she doesn't even have a kit list for me. Aaargh!

Does anyone have any idea of the kit list? I've asked her to get a replacement list from school, but she said that might not be possible. I've tried the D of E website, but the kit list has to be downloaded to read it and my computer won't open it.

Tomorrow is the only afternoon I have free to shop for this stuff so it is getting urgent now.

Please can anyone help?? If you don't have the kit list then advice on how to commit the perfect murder will do instead

Don't you just love them!! Could you ring a mum of someone else that is going - they may have the list - otherwise - do you know of anyone that has been before - they may have the list (plus half of the stuff) or could you post the url of the relevant area of the d of e website and I will see if I can open it.

Here's the full list from the site, good luck, my dd1 thoroughly enjoyed it:

Expedition Equipment Checklist
All participants should make their own checklists of equipment when they start to prepare for their first practice journey. The list below can be used as a guide with items being added or deleted according to personal needs and experience. All individuals must always carry the personal emergency equipment listed below. Reference should be made to the relevant chapters in the Expedition Guide.

PERSONAL EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT (to be carried by each individual)
D Map(s)
D Compass (optional at Bronze and Silver)
D Watch
D Torch and Spa re Bulb and Battery
D First aid kit
D Whistle
D Coins/card for telephone
D Notebook and pen/pencil
D Spare jumper/sweater
D Waterproof jacket/coat
D Water bottle
D Expedition Safety card from Entrance Pack (optional at Bronze and Silver)
D Extra warm clothing Including head gear and gloves (optional at Bronze and Silver)
D Waterproof trousers (if appropriate)
D Bivvy bag/large poly bag (optional at Bronze)
a Emergency food rations (optional at Bronze and Silver)
D Matches (optional at Bronze and Silver)
PERSONAL CAMPING EQUIPMENT
D Large rucksack (Approximately 55-65 litre Capacity)
D Strong, large plastic bags (to line your rucksack)
D Sleeping bag
D Sleeping bag inner (optional)
D Sleeping mat
D Small sum of money (optional)
D Knife, fork, spoon
D Pocket knife (small)
D Plate/bowl
D Mug
D Soap and towel (small)
D Tooth brush and tooth paste
D Toilet paper
D Camera and film (optional)

CLOTHING
D Boots (broken In)
D Socks
D Shirts
O Sweater
D Trousers (NOT jeans)
D Underwear
D Trainers (optional)
D Sun hat and sun cream (if appropriate)
D Gaiters (optional)
GROUP EQUIPMENT (to carry between the team)
D Tents
D Stoves (and fuel)
D Matches (sealed in a dry container)
D Cooking pots
D Soap pads or sponge with abrasive pad
D Washing-up liquid
D Tea towels
D Water container
D Food (small and lightweight)
D Trowel
D Route card(s)
D Map cases
D Pack of cards (optional)
D Plastic bags (for rubbish etc.)
For equipment specific to the mode travel see the relevant chapter in the Expedition Guide.

My God - I don't envy you having to sort that lot out by the weekend - do you have some outdoor shops near you?

The organisers took care of the communal stuff when DS1 did it last summer. The list looks worse than it is (IYSWIM!)

He had a great time Janstar, hope DD1 does too.

Thank you so much AlanP. You haven't saved my life but you might have saved DD's!

Yes, Jaybee, we do have camping shops 10 minutes drive away. And an unlimited bank balance. And nothing better to do. And heaps of time on our hands. And the patience of saints

Just remembered - my dd1 also took a walking pole which was the joke of the team until it came into use during a steep muddy climb.

Janstar,

Are you going to prison 4 murder or did you manage to get everything?

I hope that you are still an mn when my daughter hits her teens, you are SUPERB!!

Don't know what you do, but think you should think about being a counsellor, and being paid for all your amazing advice

Hi Kalex, I only just saw your message - thanks for your kind words. You should be here when I am shouting at my kids (when I turn into 'evil mummy'! ) - maybe you wouldn't think me such a hot shot then!

Yes, we managed to procure everything we needed in time. I have told dd she will have to have £10 deducted from her monthly allowance for a while to help part compensate dh and I for all the expense. And if she wants to do silver she will have to earn the money herself. It will do her good.

They almost finished the course, walking their whole programe on the first day and about half of it on the second day. Then they had to resort to a short cut. When they got to the end the teacher called them pathetic .

They were done in for the next couple of days - but at least they know what they're in for when they do the real thing now!

when I went on it, it was just a backpack with clothes, boots, some tinned food and washing stuff

school provided tent and cooker