For Silver and Gold levels, a practice expedition is required, offering participants the chance to develop their skills in a supportive environment before their qualifying expedition. At both levels, the practice expedition must last at least two days and two nights and take place in a different area from the qualifying expedition.

While not compulsory, practice expeditions at Bronze level provide a valuable opportunity for participants to develop skills in a practical setting. If a practice expedition hasn’t been included in the training programme, as the Supervisor, you should ensure sufficient outdoor practical training has been provided and participants must still reach the necessary skills and fitness levels for a remotely supervised qualifying expedition.

A well-planned practice expedition should mirror the qualifying expedition as closely as possible in terms of mode of travel, team size, accommodation, terrain, journey hours, and self-sufficiency.

The focus of a practice expedition is on learning, making mistakes, and improving skills with the guidance of Supervisors. It’s not about replicating the exact supervision conditions of the qualifying expedition but ensuring participants gain the necessary experience and support to be ready for it. Some participants may need more supervision depending on their experience, so flexibility is key. You should adapt your level of involvement to suit the needs of your group, gradually reducing direct supervision as participants become more confident and competent.

For those completing Bronze training walks or practice expeditions, the same principles apply and the following advice will still be helpful. The key thing is ensuring participants reach the necessary skill and fitness levels for a remotely supervised qualifying expedition. This includes verifying competence in key areas from the DofE Expedition Training Framework, such as first aid, navigation, stove use, emergency procedures, and teamwork.

To make the practice expedition as useful as possible, set clear learning outcomes and make sure all training is complete before the practice expedition, so participants are fully prepared. It should help participants develop the skills they’ve already learned in a realistic setting. There are some key learning outcomes for participants that practice expeditions should achieve, which are listed in the DofE Expedition Guide. These are:

• Practising navigation, campcraft, and journeying skills specific for their mode of travel
• Determining their average speed for their qualifying expedition
• Testing the suitability of their clothing, footwear, and equipment
• Evaluating pack weight and deciding what’s necessary
• Identifying how much food, drink and fuel they will need during their expedition
• Understanding the level of physical fitness required
• Testing their planned menus
• Developing their team dynamics.

Remember, if you choose to not include a practice expedition in a Bronze training programme then you still need to meet these learning outcomes through participants’ training and record this on eDofE.

As a Supervisor, you should encourage participants to reflect throughout the practice expedition, creating opportunities at checkpoints, campsites, and debrief sessions. It’s important that participants are reflecting on their equipment, skills, training, fitness, and team performance before they progress to their qualifying expedition.

A well-structured training programme and practice expedition is essential for developing the skills and confidence participants need for their qualifying expedition. By focusing on learning rather than assessment, practice expeditions offer a valuable opportunity for participants to hone their skills, gain experience, and get ready for the challenges ahead.

Before the qualifying expedition, participants need to show they’ve got the right skills. You should gradually reduce supervision as the team gets more confident. If you aren’t satisfied with a team’s competence after their training programme, another practice expedition might be needed.

For more experienced Gold teams, one extended practice expedition may be enough, with the first day supervised and the rest done remotely. Others might need a series of weekly training sessions before their practice expedition.

Training and practice expeditions also allow participants to rotate leadership roles, identify gaps in their knowledge, and work on key skills like navigation, campcraft, and first aid. Participants need to be familiar with their equipment, food, and mode of travel. If a participant has been away for a while, you should assess whether their previous practice still counts or if more training is needed.