Last weekend, the Gold DofE group headed to Snowdonia for their Practice Expedition. With bags packed, sorted, and weighed, they set off into the woods above Betws‑y‑Coed. Navigation was challenging, with overgrown paths and tricky terrain, but after a few hours, they emerged into sunshine and continued towards their wild camp high in the hills, surrounded by the remains of long‑abandoned slate mines.
Day 2 brought boggy ground and steady rain, and by the time they reached camp, there were some very sore and very soggy feet. The midges were out in force too, so an early night was the only sensible option.
Day 3 brought more rain, more rough terrain, and more indistinct paths. For the first time, the teams also encountered tick bites, a problem that is becoming more common as warmer winters increase tick numbers.
Gold DofE is never easy. It demands teamwork, communication, determination, and real resilience. Both teams showed all of that in abundance. They did brilliantly, and we’re incredibly proud of them. Now we look forward to their Qualifying Expedition in Cumbria in July.
