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Sunday 27th April
Duke of Edinburgh Award

Bronze, Silver and Gold Direct Entry Walking Practice Returns

We had a great weekend with all levels of the award out!

The Golds undertook an unsupervised journey from Pistyll Llanrhaeadr to Carrog Station campsite over the Berwyns on the Saturday before travelling over Llantisilio Mountain on the Sunday to the Horseshoe Pass.  The team had a long day on the Saturday due to being geographically embarrassed a couple of times, thus learning the importance of map reading rather than map looking due to the fact that there wasn't anyone with them to check their route.
 
The four girls doing Silver undertook a similar journey which again was unsupervised directly meaning they had to rely upon their own skill, knowledge and group management principles to complete the route which they did in good form.  They too had to travel in the area of Llantisilio Mountain on the Sunday to the pick up at Horseshoe pass.
 
The Bronzes received the initial training which is aimed at the participants completing all 3 levels of the award rather than focussing purely on the skills necessary for the Bronze level.  They learnt the principles of tent and campsite management, packing an expedition rucksack as well as choosing the right equipment to take, safe use and operation of cooking equipment and incident management in case of a casualty. They then undertook a series of navigation exercises over the next 2 days in groups of 8 with an instructor putting the principles of map reading and interpretation they have learnt in Geography lessons and through the CCF syllabus into practice in a physical environment rather than the confines of a classroom.  This culminated in them summiting Moel Fferna above Corwen and their having to plan a route from the summit back to the campsite unsupervised which they achieved well using correct navigational strategies and principles.
 
Thanks to Mr and Mrs Morris, Mr Rush and Mr Neville for assisting with the transport arrangements, special thanks to Mr Croft whose geography lessons helped enormously.

ADO