May 12, 2023

Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme taster expedition

Simonside Outdoor Adventure’s ensemble of mountain leaders orchestrated a tantalising introduction for the 20 Year 9 boys who took part in the DofE taster expedition last Friday and Saturday. Many of them had not camped before or cooked food in the open. Some had not been to the Lake District.

Seathwaite Campsite sits just south of the beautiful Borrowdale, from where the boys set off up a very steep climb, after having bought food in Keswick in their tent groups and then driven to the campsite to learn how to set up their three man tents. The climb tested everyone and it took courage to admit the need to rest now and again. One or two did. It is moments like that where the mountain leaders teach the boys about teamwork, looking after others, pacing their progress and drinking enough water.

Having completed the 9km hike, they learned to use a Trangia cooker safely and then cooked their evening meal of pasta, sauce and chorizo. The weather held when they were cooking or moving tents and the sun shone down on the boat that took everyone around Derwentwater on Saturday morning as Charles III was crowned in Westminster Abbey.

The message was the same – we are not here to be served but to serve. Team Non SiBi showed that they had got that message on several occasions during the expedition.  Many thanks to Allan, Iain and Judith for both instructing and managing our Duke of Edinburgh wannabes so well. Thanks also to Mr Drax and Mrs Sanderson.