Silver Expeditions
Launch and Recruitment
Outspark staff will help you launch the award by presenting at an assembly for the participating year group. We will give details of the expedition element, the equipment needed, provide a parent information letter for students to take home, and be there to answer any questions regarding the expeditions.
We will also provide a parent information meeting on zoom. These help to reduce Award Leaders’ admin workload by pre-empting many questions that would otherwise come in by email. They also allow parents’ to share concerns about the needs of particular prospective participants, making the Award as inclusive as possible and giving us and you maximum notice about accommodations that will be needed.
We can support recruitment through our online consent form, providing safe access to the participants' medical and dietary needs. After the successful sign up of the participants, Outspark will visit again, meet with the students and help them form teams, capturing team photos that help our staff get to know them quickly. During this session, we will advise on kit, food and general readiness, to prepare them for the expeditions.
Behind the Scenes
Your expedition will be planned by highly experienced staff with extensive local knowledge. Outspark will prepare initial information letters on behalf of the school to be sent to parents. This is followed up by a letter in advance of each expedition, giving the precise information to both parents and students.
We will collate and prepare the medical, pedagogical and dietary information, ensuring that the expeditions are safe and tailored to the needs of the individuals and reducing your admin load. Other than transport, all aspects of the expedition are organised and booked by Outspark, with our staff team ready to answer all questions and provide support in the lead up to the expedition.
Training & practice expedition - three days
The training and practice expedition will see the students walk for three consecutive days and camp for two nights. During the expedition, Outspark will cover all of the necessary training and preparation during the first day of the expedition. For the Silver award, this means more advanced map reading and orientation skills, cooking for meals and helping them organise their kit and clothing to withstand the longer duration expedition. For the following two days, the teams will walk independently and camp for a total of two nights.
Throughout the training expedition, the Outspark staff will regularly refer to the Expedition Handbook that was also provided during the Bronze expedition. This resource can help embed the skills taught and is a useful aid memoir prior to the qualifying expedition.
We will also cover route planning and helping students decide upon their ‘team goal’, which would have otherwise needed to happen during the school day.
Qualifying expedition - three days
The qualifying expedition takes place in a different location to the training. The location will provide an interesting challenge for the participants and will require precise navigation and good team work.
Outspark’s DofE-accredited assessors will remotely supervise the group, being available at checkpoints to support and encourage. The overnight camps will give the teams a chance to demonstrate their cooking skills, campcraft and teamwork.
After the qualifying expedition, Outspark will send out the assessor reports as soon as possible and arrange a meeting to review the program and identify support needs for the following year.
Pricing and locations
Outspark’s six-day walking Silver expedition for 2025 costs £330.00 + VAT per person with no additional costs. We require a minimum of 18 participants and accompanying staff are free of charge. Currently, we use locations such as the South Downs National Park, Exmoor, Brecon Beacons, Dorset and the Forest of Dean. However, other locations can be used and we are always keen to explore new areas.
Interested in this expedition?
Send us a message and we’ll get back to you within a day.
Alternatively, call us:
01245 830300
FAQ’s
Due to our bespoke DofE expedition offer, it’s probably best to send us an email and have a chat. But if time is tight and you need some answers sharpish, then why not have a look below at our “frequently asked questions”? These have been compiled from school staff, parents and EVC’s. Maybe they can help. And if they can’t, then please get in touch.