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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Duke of Edinburgh handholding thread

157 replies

ArcheryAnnie · 19/04/2017 23:39

....is anyone else's teenager doing this?

DS has a mound of equipment in the living room which looks ridiculously huge for one bloody night (it's a practice run) and he keeps on remembering other stuff he hasn't yet told me about that he needs. It's like getting blood out of a stone.

Also I am having visions of My Baby, Lost On The Moors, which I know is pish.

OP posts:
ArcheryAnnie · 20/04/2017 15:08

DS will have to carry all his own water, I think. The bag is so heavy!

He's pretty independent, but he's never ever been camping before, unless you count a night in his friend's back garden when he was about 8. From the meal planning he and his mates have done, I don't think his mates have ever been camping before, either!

OP posts:
AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 20/04/2017 15:13

DS does army cadets as well so I don't need to worry about the kit so much as he already has it all. He is also good at the expedition side, where he is not so hot is the improving skill. Volunteering is covered by taking the lead on charity fundraising at school.

Tobolsk · 20/04/2017 15:16

I remember doing this, we took army ration packs from the local army surplus store.

I remember we ignored half the equipment list as all it seemed to be was added weight.

BiddyPop · 20/04/2017 15:29

I am reading with interest for when DD does her Gaisce (President's award) here. I wonder can you do DoE in Ireland?

She's moving up to Scouts next year though, so will be reasonably well versed in most of the requirements - her troupe are reasonably into letting the Scouts organize themselves and Leaders only provide necessary guidance (they stay in Scouts through Venturer years too - so 12 to 18, hence Patrol Leaders are reasonably responsible!).

However, from family and Cub events (and remembering my own Scouting/Guiding days):
The half jar of peanut butter with bits sounds good - if your DC is not into peanut butter (or almond butter), just put in a bag of mixed raisins (and other dried fruit of preference), nuts, and M&Ms or similar to nibble on as they walk.
A handful of boiled sweets is useful too for energy while getting water heated to cook.

John west now have nice tins of tuna with seasonings - not just the salads but like lemon and thyme, or chilli, or basil and tomato - which could be good on pitta or packets of crackers (if they don't crumble).

Ziploc bags are sooo handy for stuff. Ikea do a good range of sizes, but supermarket ones should be ok too. Small ones for teabags, seasonings etc. Larger ones for a full change of clothes, or for the spare socks/tshirt combo to just freshen up - rather than digging through everything to find individual stuff. Also, as secondary wrapped, better chance of staying dry if bad weather.

Definitely use a rucksack liner - decent black sack is fine. I tend to recommend to Cub parents to line the bag with a black sack, but send a second black sack/plastic bag for dirty gear as that's often wet/muddy as well.

Noodles are a good option, another easy food on the go is couscous as it just needs hot water (into the bowl, add hot water, plate over top method someone already mentioned). If using a Ziploc bag to hold it, you can add some seasoning when packing (eg. part of a crumbled stock cube, some dried herbs, dried chilli, (cumin is nice but teens may not fancy that), or just salt and pepper).

Individual custard pots are great. Our Cub Leaders asked for the old fashioned swiss roll (the old gateau type with fake cream in the middle) and custard on our last outing but the mum doing the shopping wasn't ever a scout/guide so didn't understand what we wanted. So we are going back to the regular individual apple pies (Lidl do nice ones!) and custard next time.

If he drinks tea or coffee, a few teabags or the sachets of dried coffee (like you'd get in a hotel bedroom) would be really handy, and a sachet or 2 of hot chocolate powder. Often a hot drink really helps if tired, worn out, homesick, can't sleep, loads of reasons! I'd put those in a small Ziploc, possibly stuffed into the mug.

Headtorch and a small hand torch.

A travel towel - much smaller, lighter, and will do what's needed, can also hang off pack to dry as they walk if desired. Hand towel or just a medium one is probably large enough - I wouldn't see the need for the bath sheet size! And get travel sized bottles (not even 100ml - just 30ml or 50ml would be plenty) for any toiletries that are deemed necessary, but toothpaste/brush, plastic comb, shower gel and deodorant would do it for me.

Spare socks - to change once they arrive in the evening to prevent blisters by staying in damp socks, and another fresh pair in the morning (or yesterday's dried off overnight).

Layers for clothing - to be able to easily accommodate changes in weather, and to add layers once the evening comes on. A woolly hat to wear in bed in the tent (I assume camping?).

jemimarose · 20/04/2017 15:32

Ds1 aged 14 currently out in the wilds - silver D of E. He learnt from his bronze to take less clothes and just accept he would be smelly! I made him cookies and provided jelly babies for a shot of energy! He has been going to the gym so super fit and was really excited about it all. I think it's fabulous and tbh not worried about him at all.

WankersHacksandThieves · 20/04/2017 15:46

The half jar of peanut butter with bits sounds good - if your DC is not into peanut butter (or almond butter), just put in a bag of mixed raisins (and other dried fruit of preference), nuts, and M&Ms or similar to nibble on as they walk.

You could mix it into nutella too I guess but that's a bit more melty and messy.

Lots of good tips from Biddy Dss bag or box stuff and label for each meal/days worth of snacks so they can find things easily. Remember stuff for doing the washing up. A jiffy cloth and half a green scrubber and I put a little bit of washing up liquid in a little systema bottle. They take sachets of salt and pepper and sugar/jam for porridge and also ketchup etc for their hotdogs.

DSs have always camped beside water so have just purified river water for cooking/drinking. For his silver practice DS just took a couple of babywipes and a facecloth instead of a towel. He ended up swimming in the river in his pants and having to dry all 6'3" of himself with a tiny facecloth! :o

BiddyPop · 20/04/2017 15:56

Actually, I just remembered that when DD and I went camping last summer, we were slightly more organized than usual, so I had put all the bits for 1 meal in their little baggies, but then put all those baggies into a bigger bag together - the whole meal ready to go.

We made pancakes for breakfast - I brought the flour, baking power, sugar all mixed in a Ziploc and added milk, mixed in the zziploc, and just poured onto the pan to cook. If you had dried milk powder at home, you could add that so all that's needed is water.

And yes, raiding McD's, hotel rooms and coffee shops for sachets (for camping and self-catering hols) is a regular thing for us Grin!

jellyshoeswithdiamonds · 20/04/2017 16:07

If you buy nothing else get these ...

www.sealskinz.com/UK/socks

They are totally waterproof so even if their boots fail their feet stay dry. Dd wears slightly thicker normal socks then her Seals. Sealskinz also do waterproof gloves. They aren't cheap but so worth it.

Buy a tin of Fabsil (paint it on is better than spray cans as it lasts longer), brushes don't dry out so can use same brush forever. This stuff is essential, paint it on fabric boots every time they are used (after cleaning mud off them first), I reproof coats and tents with it.

Also get gaiters which keep their trouser legs clean (and warm), turns boots into wellies (almost). Dd swears by hers.

Base layers dd has merino wool ones which she loves. Waterproofs she has Berghaus over trousers. If there is an outlet shop near you the ones there are just as good as a proper Berghaus shop.

If you think you DCs will stick to DofE then a Jetboil is well worth investing in.

Dd did Gold last year, this year she's qualified as a Leader. Her lot trek in Brecon Beacons in all weathers.

Lelloteddy · 20/04/2017 17:21

Double check if schools have equipment to loan. Both DD and DSD borrowed rucksacks and mats.

ArcheryAnnie · 20/04/2017 17:49

I've just come back with the last bits for the practice run. (Ziploc bags, food, a couple of water bottles.) I did look at the merino base layer, but longjohns are sixty quid! If DS really gets a taste for camping and hiking I will consider it, but not now.

Question: the equipment list tells them to take a pair of spare comfortable shoes for the campsite. This seems like madness, as shoes are both bulky and heavy. Is there any reason for this?

OP posts:
WankersHacksandThieves · 20/04/2017 18:13

Archery, mainly because their feet might be sore and they might not want to keep their boots on. My DSs either take Crocs or flip flops Tied to their backpack) or just pad about in their socks. they will always tell you unnecessary stuff on the kit list. For Bronze I wouldn't be buying anything too specialist. If you can avoid cotton as much as possible that would be good. If they don't have specialist sportswear then stuff like football tops/tracksuit bottoms are good as they are lightweight and don't hold water.

They don't need PJs but should change out of their 1st day clothing into clean stuff to sleep in. The clothes they've been wearing can hold the cold and make it uncomfortable for sleeping.

Greymalkin · 20/04/2017 18:29

Hi OP, I have achieved all three of the DoE awards, so have completed six hikes under the scheme, so happy to share my personal experience.

You said he was only camping one night, so I'm assuming he is doing the bronze award and if it is his practice expedition, this will be his very first experience?

If so, I can almost guarantee you that the amount of stuff he is taking is going to be waaaaayyyy too much, but you only learn this through experience. He will soon realise this and hopefully cut down for his assessed expedition!

I wouldn't suggest carrying lots of unnecessary liquid such us meal replacements as it is very heavy. The rules may have changed, but "in my day" the assessors would not have allowed it as it isn't considered a proper meal and requires no preparation. For obvious reasons, do not take any food in a tin or glass jar. Those energy sweets are also pointless for such a short trip.

Also, they do not need any toiletries other than wet wipes and toothbrush - the group should share toothpaste and a tin of deodorant between them.

Do not buy cheap plasters - it is well worth spending the extra on Compeed plasters - they saved me on my 50 mile, four day Gold award hikes!

A spare pair of shoes is completely unnecessary.

The DoE scheme was amazing; I loved it and missed it for a long time after completing the Gold award. Do support your DC and encourage them to keep it up. The sense of achievement and independence they get from it is incredible :)

ragged · 20/04/2017 20:59

omg... DD hasn't got a pile of kit prep (practice hike in 2 wks). We have talked thru some of the stuff & I handed her a perfect rucksack we already had.

Lalalalalalala. Fingers in my ears. Head back in sand...

ps: spare shoes when I have been hiking + camping were very nice. Even just a cheap pair of flipflops to let feet dry & stretch out.

ArcheryAnnie · 20/04/2017 22:56

Thanks, all. I thought his backpack was ridiculously huge when he came home with it, but it is PACKED TO THE GUNNELS and every square inch has something stuffed in it. Most of it has been taken up by my sleeping bag, which is a very good, light but bulky cold weather one. If he does later ones in better weather, he can borrow his dad's lightweight teeny sleeping bag which takes up no room at all.

Wanker, good advice, thanks! I'd already told him to change his shirt and socks before going to bed, as they will be damp with sweat and will chill him.

Why would anyone need to take shower gel? They ain't going to have a shower! He's going to hum when he gets home.

Greymalkin you've reminded me to give him the compeed, thank you.

OP posts:
RedandWhiteStripe · 20/04/2017 22:59
Grin
Duke of Edinburgh handholding thread
ArcheryAnnie · 20/04/2017 23:09

RedandWhiteStripe < wild applause >

OP posts:
Hulababy · 20/04/2017 23:13

Dd did bronze last year. The bag she carried looked like it would weigh more than she does.

On the practise weekend their team walked almost 10km more than they should have! They weren't the only ones to get lost either, but they did all make it back before it was dark.

Dd has done all of it now and has vowed she will not be doing silver or gold!!!

littleoldladywho · 20/04/2017 23:18

Dd1 is off on hers this weekend. I was supposed to be running it, but have handed over to someone else so I can be out of the way Grin

We are a little further out of the way, and in these parts the kids are required to carry bear spray (and know how to use it) and GPS locator beacons in case of emergency. I am ignoring the reports of campsite closures due to Grizzly activity and will be waving them off and hiding under the duvet until they are back.

Bejazzled · 20/04/2017 23:18

Even if the walking boots are broken in, I still recommend two layers of socks for avoiding blisters. A thin cotton pair under the thicker boot socks - prevents rubbing and chafing.

First thing on our list was a hat with midge net - the wee biting bastards made the kids life hell, but I suppose that's a west of Scotland thing.

KikiDeliversCakes · 20/04/2017 23:20

Mine is just doing her practice bronze next week - she's in a bit of a tizz because she doesn't know what kind of trousers to wear (she normally lives in jeans when not in school uniform). Despite having a kit list (which she hasn't shown me) and going to her weekly meets, she's failed to ask anyone for advice (chronically shy Confused).

Please advise wise MNers, what kind of trousers will she need? She's all set for walking boots and thick socks. I must get some more compeed...

(Sorry for hijacking)

WankersHacksandThieves · 20/04/2017 23:30

Most of the boys wear either outdoor walking trousers, running/sports trousers/tracky bottoms or shorts. Most of the girls seem to just wear leggings or sports tight things or shorts.

Anything that is thin, light, quick drying, non heavy cotton is fine.

WankersHacksandThieves · 20/04/2017 23:31

the walking trousers tend to have the advantage of pockets though.

WankersHacksandThieves · 20/04/2017 23:33

This will give you an idea of what girls wear - having boys and not doing sports myself, i find it difficult to describe what the garments are called :)

www.google.co.uk/search?q=girls+dofe+expedition&espv=2&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjR8tmqi7TTAhVMIlAKHaQuD84QsAQIKw&biw=1024&bih=638

I wear walking trousers.

KikiDeliversCakes · 20/04/2017 23:43

Ah fgs, i guess we'll be going to buy some walking trousers then, she hates leggings... Thank you all for the suggestions.

WankersHacksandThieves · 20/04/2017 23:50

You won't need anything too expensive. Have a look at Decathlon or Amazon.