How to prepare for your expedition

We have fantastic expedition resources available to support you and your group during the preparation and undertaking of the Expedition section of your Award! Download, share or print all of our expedition resources below. 

Ways to use these resources:

Email to DofE participants 
Add to DofE section on your school/centre portal 
Put up posters on noticeboards 
Use in Expedition training sessions 

Waterproof clothing
Waterproofs are an important part of your expedition clothing, and keep out rain, wind and cold.
Young person packing a blue sleeping bag into a red rucksack.
Rucksacks and packing
Your rucksack is very important. Get it right, and it can make your expedition. Get it wrong, and you could be in for a long, uncomfortable...
Cooking expedition food on a Trangia stove
Expedition food

Getting the right food will help you enjoy your adventure. It’s a chance to be creative, and to understand more about rationing and outdoor survival.

Blue bridgedale socks
Walking boots and socks
Choosing the best walking boots and socks for your expedition is crucial. Get them early so you can wear your boots in and be comfortable...
Three young people wearing expedition clothing
Technical clothing and layers
Layering your clothing helps you manage your temperature on your journey, and will keep you comfortable in all weathers.
Young person packing a sleeping bag away.
Sleeping bags and mats

A good night’s sleep always helps on expedition. A good sleeping bag can last you many years and be a great value addition to your camping kit.

Lifesystems first aid kit
First aid

On your expedition you’ll need to know how to keep yourself safe in the outdoors, and how to act in an emergency.

Young person lighting a Trangia stove.
Cooking stoves

You’ll need to cook a hot meal and show that you can use a cooking stove effectively in the wild. Get advice and safety instructions on cooking outdoors.

Nikwax cleaning products
Waterproofing and kit care

Having waterproof kit if it rains on expedition will make it much more enjoyable. Add extra waterproofing to your clothing and footwear before you set off.

Lifeventure cutlery and crockery
Campcraft and cooking

Using specially designed camping utensils can really cut down on weight and space. It’s also more robust than regular cookware, which is helpful on longer Gold expeditions.

Young person applying Lifeventure sun cream.
Wash kit and tools

There is a wide range of equipment available to ensure your health and safety on your expedition, whether for sunburn, storms, or midges.

Two young people sitting by the door of a tent.
Tents

For most expeditions, DofE groups will use lightweight trekking tents that are easy to carry and quick to put up.

Person in a red waterproof jacket wearing a silva compass around their neck.
Maps and compasses

A map and compass are expedition essentials, and it’s important you can trust your navigation skills to guide you on unfamiliar ground.

3S Groupo tracking systems displayed on a mobile device.
Tracking systems

Trackers can be used to monitor the location and progress of groups on expeditions – they should be thought of as additional safety equipment, not a navigation tool.

Expedition Resources

Our fantastic free expedition kit resources are here to help you and your group during the preparation and undertaking of the expedition section. Click 'Download Now' for Easy access to all of our expedition posters if you want to know a little bit about everything!
Discover More Resources
Expedition resource posters.