Dear Parents,

I am writing to give you final details of the Duke of Edinburgh's Silver Award qualifying expedition. This will take place in the Brecon Beacons National Park from Monday 7th July to Friday 11th July. The party will assemble at school at 10.00am on Monday7th July and will be travelling to Brecon by coach. We will be based at a centre near Brecon the address of which is as follows:

Dulwich College Field Centre

Heol Callwen

Glyntawe

Penycae

Swansea

Pupils will need to bring a packed lunch and money to buy food at the service stations on the way up. I will provide dinner on Monday and breakfast on Tuesday morning before they start their expedition. They will need to ensure that they have all their other food sorted between their group.

When we arrive the remainder of the day will be spent getting ready for meeting the assessor. During that meeting pupils will be carrying out a final kit check (please ensure they have everything on the kit list) and I will chat to them individually about routes, purpose etc. Pupils should make sure they are fully clued up on both of these. They will start their expedition on Tuesday 8th July

JULY
/ Monday
7th / Tuesday
8th / Wednesday
9th / Thursday
10th / Friday
11th
SILVER / Travel up Dinner provided / Breakfast provided
Walk
Camp / Walk
Camp / Walk
Sleep & eat at the Centre.
Dinner provided
De-briefing, clean kit / Breakfast at the centre and then head home

The expedition will last three days with a minimum of 48 kilometres to be covered and involves two night's camping. Apart from the group being assessed by the Brecon Beacons panel, Alleyn’s staff will supervise them, although not accompany them. During the expedition their travel clothes etc must fit into a bag to be stored at the centre whilst they are on expedition, so please do not bring too much extra kit and/or expensive items.

When they finish the expedition on Thursday 10th they will clean the kit and attempt to dry out the tents. They can then shower and change and have a de-briefing about the expedition. On Friday 11th I will provide breakfast and a packed lunch and we will pack everything up and aim to leave by 10.00am. We hope to back in school on Friday afternoon. We will arrange for participants to ring home from a service station, and as always you can ring my office number and I will leave a voice mail message telling you the exact time we leave Brecon and an estimated time of arrival back at Alleyn’s (in an emergency you can contact me on my mobile but I would prefer if you listened to the message rather than me having to continually answer my mobile).

When they return to school they will need to hand in all the borrowed kit and help hang up tents and clean any unfinished kit. When they have finished this they will then be able to ring you from Alleyn’s to tell you when they can be picked up. Please note nobody will be allowed to go home until his or her group have cleaned and handed in all kit. (I imagine they will be ready to be picked up between 4.00pm – 5.00pm but this is only estimation, it really depends on traffic and how quick they are at completing the required tasks.

The cost of the expedition will be £140 (which covers all transport costs, hire of the Centre, food, camping fees, use of the D of E equipment). As you are aware, payment is now added to your end of term bill. All you need to do is sign the reply slip at the end of this letter and the slip should be brought back via your son or daughter, sent by post or emailed as soon as possible. The deadline for this confirmation is Friday 9th May (This is the last day they are in school, before study leave starts). I am afraid if I do not receive payment details by then I will be unable to allow them to come on the expedition and they will have to find alternative arrangements to do their own qualifying expedition.

This year I will be giving each candidate a D of E t-shirt for qualifying (this will come from my budget). Please can you fill in below the details you wish to have on it. If these details are not filled in I will not order you a shirt.

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 0779 6267476

It is VITAL that each member of the group turns up for a final briefing session and kit collection on Wednesday 2nd July (during book return).

Yours sincerely,

Mr.R.J.Alldrick

(D of E Co-ordinator)
DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD SCHEME EXPEDITION KIT LIST

Personal Kit Group Equipment – Divide equally

Rucksack (65 – 80 litres) q Tent Inner/pegs Outer/Poles q

Rucksack Liner (sturdy & waterproof) q Maps / Cases q

Karrimat – Therma rest q Route Plans q

Sleeping Bag(3 season /compression sack) q Trangia & Burner or Gas Converter q

Boots (leather/ Fabric) – ready waterproofed q Fuel – Fuel Bottle, Gas (Gold) q

Whistle (you must have your own) q Food (+ Emergency Rations) q

Waterproof Jacket (taped seams) q Toilet Paper or Wet Wipes q

Waterproof Trousers (taped seams) q Matches (waterproofed) q

Gloves (Not Wool) q Brillo Pad q

Wool / Fleece Hat / sun hat q 2 Survival Bags q

*1 Shirt (long sleeved) q Money (phone calls) q

*2 T Shirts q Watch (x2) q

*2 Sweaters / fleece q Spare Laces q

*Thermals top / bottom q Insect repellent/ sun screen q

*2 Trousers (NOT JEANS) q Plastic Zip Bags q

2 Pairs socks (looped not ribbed/nylon) q Notebook & Pencil q

*Underwear q Repair Kit (Duct Tape) q

Reduced Wash Bag q Mug (plastic), Knife, Fork, Spoon

Water bottle (min 1 litre) q OPTIONAL

Compass (you must have your own) q Camera q

Torch (Head Torch – Spare bulb / battery) q Gaiters q

First Aid Kit (see separate List) q Flask q

q Sandals / Trainers q

Pen Knife q

Alcohol Hand gel q

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

Silver 25Ibs 30Ibs

PERSONAL/ GROUP FIRST AID KIT

·  Triangular bandage (90cm x 127cm) (P) q

·  Assortment of micropore / Tape (P) q

·  Compeed (blister kit) (P) q

·  Antiseptic Wipes (P) q

·  Pain Killers (These cannot be issued by the staff) (P) q

·  Strong strapping Tape (P) q

·  Personal medication - Ventilator (P) q

·  Feminine Hygiene (P) q

·  Vaseline (P) q

·  Plasters (assortment of sizes) (P) q

·  3 dressings (small, medium, large) Melolin Dressing Pads (G) q

·  Tweezers (G) q

·  Scissors (G) q

·  Safety pins (G) q

·  Crepe bandage (2) (G) q

·  Adhesive dressing strip (G) q

(P) = PERSONAL (G) = Group

ALL OF THIS MUST BE IN A WATER TIGHT STURDY CONTAINER

Please return all this information by

Friday 9th May WITHOUT FAIL

Can I remind you if I do not receive payment notification by this date I will be unable to offer you a place on the expedition

Name ______Form ______

T -Shirt Details

Size (XS S, M, L, XL, XXL) they do come up fairly large q

Initials ______

Name on the back ______

Payment

I ______allow the sum of £140.00 to be added to my next fee bill and give permission for you to take my son / daughter (please delete as appropriate) on the qualifying expedition

Signed ______Date ______

Please either post this slip to Mr.R.J.Alldrick or send it in via your son / daughter or email it back to me today

Many thanks