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Somerset AJs

Our Open Expeditions are a fun and safe way for students to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journeys. Our aim at Somerset is to provide an open environment in which the students gain a solid base of knowledge and skills, which can then be further built upon as they progress through the higher levels of the Duke of Ed Award, and learn valuable life skills. 

Practice Expedition - takes the fundamentals learnt during the Preparation/Training and grounds them in a real-time experience. The students start their Practice Hike after finalising their Prep/Training. Students are given roles throughout the Expedition to improve on the skills they learn during the Training and the Group Leader gives lessons, tasks and tips along the way. When they reach their campsite they are involved in a session that covers all aspects of the camping experience.  On the final day, students pack up their campsite and head out onto the last leg of their hike. 

Qualifying Expedition - allows students to apply the skills they gained during the Preparation/Training and Practice Expedition in a practical setting. Students are given the responsibility of leadership and ownership of their Expedition with the Group Leader being in a position to simply supervise the Expedition, assess the application of students' skills and step in only for safety or to get students back on track. Before starting off, a check of equipment and route plans will occur with the Expedition beginning directly afterwards.  All students end up back at Somerset Base Camp at the end of their expedition to clean / dry any gear used for the expedition, pack up all equipment neatly and debrief.

Emergency Support and Infrastructure

Somerset provides the following Emergency Support and Infrastructure for your Duke of Ed Expedition.

• 24/7 Group Leader accompanying each Group.

• Onsite Program Coordinator.

• Overnight Duty Driver.

• Communications - digital two-way radios, satellite phones, spot trackers.

• Comprehensive First Aid Kit per Group.

• Remote Area First Aid qualified Group Leader.

• Canoes and Kayaks Licensed with Waterways with full safety audits.

• PFD Life Jackets for each participant.

• National Park 10 year Premium Eco Pass License.

• Live Bureau of Meterology radar weather and  tide river level monitoring.

• Involved in Rural Fire Service with access to information.

• Risk Management Plans, Emergency Action Plans, Bushfire Management Plans including 24/7 transport backup for all Groups.

Duke of Ed Preparation & Training

Before arriving at Camp ... students undertake some preparation at home

• As part of Duke of Ed requirements, students do need to plan and prepare certain elements prior to the expedition
• We provide students with templates to assist with their pre-journey notes
• At Bronze Level - we have a comprehensive Workbook for students to complete. It addresses all topics that are required and relevant to the safe and successful conduct of an Adventurous Journey
• And ... our website has a wealth of information to assist students - food/meal ideas, packing/gear tips'n'tricks, etc.  Please refer our Blog page for useful info when packing and preparing

Before heading out on Expedition ... on arrival to Somerset students will undertake group planning and last-minute checks 

• Group Leaders will conduct a 'repack' of students' gear to ensure everyone has everything they need, it is suitable, their rucksack is an appropriate weight, etc 
• Leaders will then organise and distribute group gear, such as cookers, etc
• Prep - the group will discuss and prepare for the expedition, covering areas essential for safety and general wellbeing, eg; team roles, map reading and navigation, basic first aid & safety, route planning, etc
• Students will then embark on their Adventurous Journey and learn, develop and practice these skills, as well as important soft skills eg; leafership, teamwork, whilst en route. 

Duke of Ed Expedition Groups

Groups of not more than 14 participants, split into two sub-teams (an average of not more than 7 in each sub-team) are accompanied by a Qualified Group Leader who remains with the Group for the entirety of the Expedition.  

Each sub-team assigns their own team facilitator and allocates other roles (eg; wellbeing warrior, campsite coordinator) to a group member to take responsibility for. The navigator role is rotated throughout the AJ for all to experience.

Group formation is based on quite a few factors, eg; overall numbers, the Combo, Prac or Qual split of numbers, single students, etc. We will endeavour to honour friend requests as much as possible. 

Please enter your requests like this;

• 'Ella Smith and Isla Hopkins' or 'any students from my school'.
• We do also try to ensure a gender spread, to mix students from different schools, etc  ... so requests for lots of friends to be together can be an issue .. please limit requests to no more than 3 friends

Somerset Open Expeditions are a fantastic way to meet new friends, with many students, who meet at the Bronze level, continuing on to arrange their Silver and Gold Expeditions together.