As part of their introduction 36 students went to Lyme Park in Derbyshire to practice their expedition skills including carrying heavy rucksacks, orienteering and putting up tents.

Biology teacher Ms Law, who is co-ordinating the scheme with Miss Gash and Mr Pybussaid some of the students need to develop their outdoor skills.

 

“This was an introduction to hiking and camping, before we head for the moors!” said Ms Law, who has led expeditions to the Peruvian Amazon.

 

More than 100 Loreto students are now taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh programme which can lead to a bronze, silver or gold awards.  In order to achieve an award the students will have to undertake volunteering in the community, a physical activity, develop practical and social skills and plan and train for an adventurous journey. For Gold level, the participants must also stay away from home working on a shared activity.

 

This week in college the Duke of Edinburgh students were also being shown the kit needed to take on an expedition (tents, sleeping bags, stoves, food, clothes, roll mats, etc) so they could understand how much kit has to be taken and how heavy the bags can get.