Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Practice Expedition
Saturday 26th Sunday 27th April 2014
Meet outside the D of E room @ 8.30am Saturday 26th April
Dear Parents
The expedition will involve your son/daughter walking 24km spread over two days, with one night being spent under canvas. Participants have organised themselves into groups of between 5 – 7, and they will be responsible for the arrangements regarding their routes and for their food. They have had a training session concerning both of these and it has all been explained clearly to them.
Kit will be issued to participants on Thursday 24th April during their Thursday training session. I would then like all the pupils to bring their rucksack packed for the weekend into school on Friday 25th April. They can either leave their bags in their form rooms or on the balcony of the sports hall during the normal school day (please ensure no valuables are left in your bag) There will then be a kit check between 4.00pm – 5.00pm on Friday 25th April outside the D of E room. This will allow us to check that they have all the equipment they need and that it is packed correctly. This will also allow us time to ensure their bags are fitted to them individually and correctly, so that when they are dropped off by the coach on Saturday morning they are all ready to begin their walk. To ensure this can take place participants will need to be organised and have all of their food and equipment packed and ready for the kit check on Friday after school. Any fresh additional food for the expedition can be brought in on Saturday morning and added to their bag. The bags will be locked in school overnight so that they are here ready for Saturday morning.
On the morning of Saturday 26th please meet outside the D of E room at 8.30am ready for a 9.00am departure. The coach will then take everybody to the Dorking-Guildford area where the groups will be dropped off at various starting points (a similar procedure to the last Field Day). We are required by the conditions of the Scheme to undertake supervision of expeditions but not to accompany them. Groups will be checked at various checkpoints during the day and will be continually monitored to check that they are staying on their route, that they are making good time and that all the group members are fit and well.
All the groups will camp overnight in the grounds of the Duke of Kent School near Cranleigh along with various members of staff. In an emergency it would be possible to contact me on 0779 6267476
We expect the expedition to finish by early afternoon on Sunday 27th April and the groups will be brought back to school by coach. We hope to back by late afternoon, but it is impossible to give a precise time – it depends on the quality of their navigation! We will arrange for participants to ring home when they have finished handing-in and cleaning their kit. Please note nobody will be allowed to go home until his or her group have cleaned and handed-in all their kit. (I imagine they will be ready to be picked up between 5.30pm – 6.30pm but this is only an estimate).
Your son/daughter will need to ensure that they bring with them all the kit they require (see kit list) they will also need to bring with them a small personal first-aid kit, & emergency rations (see handouts). PLEASE REMEMBER any items such as iPods and other MP3 players are not allowed on the trip. Your son/daughter should also have their own pair of boots by this stage. If they do not have the correct footwear I am afraid I will not allow them on the expedition. If they bring a mobile phone it will be sealed in a container for use only in an emergency. When they are packing their bags please try and remind them to look at their training sheets on equipment, and how to pack a rucksack, food etc. All of the information is also on the School website and School intranet. This is a practice expedition and they will learn some valuable lessons from their mistakes, but here are some very simple reminders for them:
· Bring everything on the kit list. Don’t think just because the weather is nice it is going to stay like that;
· Make sure your bag is fully waterproofed with a thick strong plastic bag (you have all been issued with one);
· Make sure you have packaged and stored your food properly (zip seal bags);
· Remove any unwanted packaging;
· Don’t bring excessive amounts of stuff you have to carry it!
· Make sure you have decided who is going to carry what in the group and divide it evenly;
· Make sure your karrimat (sleeping mat) if outside your rucksack is in a plastic bin liner;
· Nothing apart from the karrimat should be outside your bag.
IF YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER REQUIRES ANY MEDICATION CAN YOU MAKE SURE THEY BRING IT WITH THEM e.g. AN INHALER. ALSO IF ANY INFORMATION HAS CHANGED ON THE CONSENT FORM YOU SIGNED PLEASE CAN YOU LET ME KNOW?
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. If on the day there are any problems or delays please ring me on the above number or on my mobile. Please see all the kit lists etc. that pupils will need at the end of this letter
Yours sincerely,
Mr.R.J.Alldrick
Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator
DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD SCHEME EXPEDITION KIT LIST
Personal Kit Group Equipment – Divide equally
Rucksack (65 – 80 litres) Tent Inner/pegs Outer/Poles
Rucksack Liner (sturdy & waterproof) Maps / Cases
Karrimat – Therma rest Route Plans
Sleeping Bag(3 season/compression sack) Trangia & Burner or Gas Converter
Boots (leather/Fabric) – ready waterproofed Fuel – Fuel Bottle, Gas (Gold)
Whistle (you must have your own) Food (+ Emergency Rations)
Waterproof Jacket (taped seams) Toilet Paper or Wet Wipes
Waterproof Trousers (taped seams) Matches (waterproofed)
Gloves (Not Wool) Brillo Pad
Wool/Fleece Hat/sun hat 2 Survival Bags
*1 Shirt (long sleeved) Money (phone calls)
*2 T Shirts Watch (x2)
*2 Sweaters/fleece Spare Laces
*Thermals top/bottom Insect repellent/ sun screen
*2 Trousers (NOT JEANS) Plastic Zip Bags
2 Pairs socks (looped not ribbed/nylon) Notebook & Pencil
*Underwear Repair Kit (Duct Tape)
Reduced Wash Bag Mug (plastic), Knife, Fork, Spoon
Water bottle (min. 1 litre) OPTIONAL
Compass (you must have your own) Camera
Torch (Head Torch – Spare bulb/battery) Gaiters
First Aid Kit (see separate List) Flask
Sandals/Trainers
Pen Knife / Alcohol Hand gel
*NOT 100% COTTON (Should be 100% Polyester or Polyester rich)
YOU MUST HAVE EVERTHING ON THIS LIST
All those items is bold can be provided by the D of E Store.
Your pack should not be more then a quarter of your body weight (Find out what this is).
A rough guide
Women Men
Bronze 30Ibs 30Ibs
PERSONAL/ GROUP FIRST AID KIT
· Triangular bandage (90cm x 127cm) (P)
· Assortment of micropore/Tape (P)
· Compeed (blister kit) (P)
· Antiseptic Wipes (P)
· Pain Killers (These cannot be issued by the staff) (P)
· Strong strapping Tape (P)
· Personal medication - Ventilator (P)
· Feminine Hygiene (P)
· Vaseline (P)
· Plasters (assortment of sizes) (P)
· 3 dressings (small, medium, large) Melolin Dressing Pads (G)
· Tweezers (G)
· Scissors (G)
· Safety pins (G)
· Crepe bandage (2) (G)
· Adhesive dressing strip (G)
(P) = PERSONAL (G) = Group
ALL OF THIS MUST BE IN A WATER TIGHT STURDY CONTAINER
OVERNIGHT VISIT /Alleyn’s School / PARENTAL CONSENT
FORM
PLEASE ENSURE THAT THIS FORM IS CAREFULLY AND FULLY COMPLETED AND THAT THE VISIT LEADER IS INFORMED IF THERE ARE ANY CHANGES TO THE INFORMATION SUPPLIED
I have read all of the information given and I give permission for my son / daughter to take part in the School visit to:
Bronze D of E Practice Expedition North Downs
From (day / month / year): Saturday 26th April 2014 To (day / month / year):Sunday 27th April 2014
and to take part in all of the activities described.
Pupil’s name: ……………………………...... Tutor Group: …......
Date of Birth: ……………………………......
I am aware that the school has a policy on the safe running of Educational Visits, which I can obtain from the school. I am also aware that the school’s educational visits are always well organised with a particular attention paid to pupils’ welfare, health and safety. I understand that there can be no absolute guarantee of safety, but appreciate that the school leaders of the visit retain the same legal responsibility for pupils as they have in school and will do everything that is reasonably practicable to ensure the safety of everyone on the visit.
MEDICAL INFORMATION:
Does your son / daughter have any conditions requiring medical treatment and / or medication?
(please circle) YES / NO
If YES, please give full details (attach a separate letter if necessary) of the condition, the treatment required and the medication that he / she should bring with them.
……………………………......
……………………………......
Does your son / daughter have any allergies or is he / she allergic to any medication?
(please circle) YES / NO
If YES, please give details:
……………………………......
……………………………......
NB. PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY PUPIL WITH ASTHMA / SEVERE ALLERGY MUST BRING THEIR INHALER / EPIPEN WITH THEM ON THE VISIT.
Please declare here, and provide prior to the visit departure, spare medication for staff to carry if you feel it is necessary.
……………………………......
Appendix 4, Alleyn’s Senior School, Educational Visits
November 2012 (Review November 2013)
2/2
When did your son/daughter last have a Tetanus injection? Date: ……………………………………….
National Health Service Number: ………………………………………………………………………………..
Does your son/daughter have any special dietary requirements?
(please circle) YES / NO
If YES, please give details:
……………………………......
Does your son/daughter have any special needs or any other conditions that we need to be aware of for this visit?
(please circle) YES / NO
If YES, please give details.
……………………………......
Name of family doctor: ……………………………………. Telephone Number: …………………………..
Address: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Declaration:
I confirm that my child is in good health and I agree to inform the group leader of any change in medical condition. In an emergency the Visit Leader/School will make every effort to contact the Parent/Guardian. However, in the event that no contact can be made I give my consent to any administration of medication or blood transfusion, anaesthetics or surgery as may be considered necessary by medically qualified persons, and any first aid deemed necessary, during the visit.
I confirm that I will ensure that my child has any medication he/she may need during the visit with him/her and if necessary will provide spare medication for the Visit Leader.
The school carries a substantial insurance against claims by any third parties for any loss, damage or injury caused by negligence or any other legally-proven clause. Whilst appropriate instructions and rules will be made clear and all reasonable supervision given, pupils are expected to behave in a sensible and appropriate manner at all times. The School and members of staff are unable to accept liability for a pupil’s irresponsible or wayward behaviour or any loss, damage or injury caused thereby. Should emergencies arise, members of staff may be required to take urgent action without being able to contact parents or guardians beforehand and must be indemnified and/or reimbursed by parents and guardians accordingly. This might include the approval of medical treatment in an emergency, or upon the advice of a qualified medical practitioner, and the advancement of costs or expenses reasonably incurred in an emergency, for instance medical costs, or other just or urgent cause.
A copy of the Insurance Cover can be obtained from the School at any time
Emergency contact arrangements:
I have read and understood the contact arrangements for the visit, and have provided TWO emergency contact details below. At least one of the emergency contacts MUST be in the UK for the duration of the visit.
Emergency Contact ONE Name: ………………………………………………………………………….
Contact telephone numbers:
Work: Home: Mobile:
Home address:
Email:
Emergency Contact TWO: Name: ………………………………………………………………………….
Contact telephone numbers:
Work: Home: Mobile:
Home address:
Email:
Parent/Guardian Full Name:…………………………………………………………………….………………
Parent/Guardian Signature:………………………………………………. Date:………………………….…
Appendix 4, Alleyn’s Senior School, Educational Visits
November 2012 (Review November 2013)