AUTUMN TERM DofE schedule

Hi DofE students and parents,

This half term is rather short. Those planning October expeditions or training groups for October expeditions must attend all sessions listed below or risk being dropped from groups. See the all new PERKY RGS DofE Gold Award Scheme 2013 (1) rules (Gold but applies to all levels). Plus, as usual, please consult DATES! page and expedition training pages for more details. Also, kit list here.

ALL DofE students must keep their eDofE pages up to date and current. Email any snags to SAC at the earliest opportunity.

All Awards are now passed through your eDofE page so all sections must be completed BY YOU on eDofE to earn your award.

Attendance at DofE meetings is compulsory and will be registered. Email sac@reigategrammar.org in good time if absence completely unavoidable. Persistant non-attendances will mean losing your place on expeditions and no further dofe 😦

This is a provisional schedule: things can change so please listen out and stay in touch by visiting this site.

Communication is the key to stay ahead with your DofE and to finish it successfully. Email, blog, twitter (@RGSdofe is embryonic) , Facebook, mobile, bulletin, letters and visiting DofE Office any lunchtime are all ways that YOU can know what is going on. If in any doubt please contact me or ALW or KSH for an update.

Note: canoe groups of all levels should attend all meets to get info on their training schedules.

4th Year Bronze

Training EVERY Tuesday 4-5.30pm
Starts Tuesday 10 Sept: meet Concert Hall
Bronze Qualifying expedition 11-12 October (Activities Day Fri)

FIRST AID: starts SECOND week after half term Tuesday 12th November 4-5.30pm continues for 12 weeks after that: must attend every session!

5th Year Silver
DofE Team Building Day Fri 11 October all day. Starts from RGS: LETTERS LATER THIS TERM.

No Tuesday training this half term: planning for Silver qualifying starts after MOCKS in Spring Term.

Finish your skill, service and sport. Update eDofE.

Sign Language SKILL: starts Tuesday Sept 10 4-5pm for 12 weeks

Bridge course: check back for updates: STARTS Tuesday 17 Sept 4-5pm in Room 14 for 12 weeks

NEW L6 Gold ENROLMENT
GOLD ENROLMENT: Thursday 5th SEPTEMBER LUNCHTIME D1 1.30PM
*Deadline for enrolment forms returned Thursday 26 Sept. (*quota may be applied)
PLANNING MEETINGS EVERY THURSDAY LUNCHTIME D1 1.20PM
GOLD Training Expedition Mon Oct 28 – Thurs Oct 31
Award leaders recruited and briefed at these meets.

Night Hike Fri November 15 4-10pm: for Award Leaders

L6 GOLD Morocco expedition Feb 2014

Attend all of the above plus these *provisional dates subject to change by Far Frontiers:

*Planning: Tuesday 24 Sept 4-5.30pm

*Morocco Parents Evening Tuesday 15 October 7.00pm venue tba

U6 Gold

AWARD LEADERS: train your groups EVERY Tuesday 4-5.30pm until half term. Meet Concert Hall 4pm Tuesday 10 Sept.

Mid-Wales Gold Qualifying Success August 2013

17-21 August 2013
Probably the BEST Gold qualifying EVER! 9 groups of some 60 RGS students completed their GOLD award qualifying expedition to Mid Wales. From the outset they were organised, efficient, navigated well, left no trace at camp and, above all, were just a fabulous bunch to supervise, back up, assess and assist. Staff, external leaders, assessors, local farmers, land owners and shop keepers at the end (thanks Cwm Trannon Community Shop in Trefeglwys) all agreed that these were a superb group of students who did the school proud.
After an initial soaking on Day 1 / Night 1 we enjoyed dry and bright weather in the hills. The ground was unusually dry after the heat wave in July. Midges were almost non-existent despite some high humidity and low winds, quite extraordinary.
The groups made the most of these unusually good conditions and many seemed to simply enjoy their last ever DofE expedition. Well done … we’ll miss you!

Staff who have or are gaining experience in mountains, who are willing to rough-it wild camping and at the same time dedicate their efforts to supervising students in remote mountainous terrain and make critical safety decisions are crucial for the safe operation of these trips. The crew we had this year were outstanding so a huge and sincere thanks to all of them!

Gold qualifying 2013 Mid Wales expedition: departs Saturday

The RGS Gold dofe expedition to Mid Wales departs Sat 17 Aug at 9am from RGS PMH car park. Please arrive promptly for kit check.

BRING YOUR RECORD BOOK!

Travel: The coach and minibuses will be full so please bring a minimum of excess baggage: 1 main rucksack each and one small disposable bag for food on the journey. Please do not bring extra bags to store on the back-up bus for the duration. There is no collection of personal kit or resupply allowed during Gold assessment expeditions: you carry all your kit.

Pack VERY carefully and sensibly. At all costs reduce pack weight. Large quantities of extra clothing are unnecessary. Consult training pages and kit list pages here.

Food: check our useful advice on backpacking FOOD https://rgsdofe.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/food-tips-for-gold-duke-of-edinburgh-hikes-2609101.pdf

Blisters are a perennial problem on this expedition: please follow advice issued regarding correct footwear, appropriate socks and care of feet. See training pages here and consult your RGS expedition guide. Briefly: make sure boots fit, wear them lots prior to departure; wax them if necessary, buy 2 pairs of decent walking socks, several pairs of thin inner socks, thick outer usually helps most people; some like goretex waterproof liners but not essential; keep your feet dry and free from grit by wearing gaiters (but not essential).

Weather: WET and WINDY on arrival in Wales at weekend (40mph+) … detailed update later but looks wet on Saturday 17 / showery and breezy on Sunday 18 Aug in Wales. Thereafter a ridge builds in with more settled and warmer conditions but with some possible rain tuesday as low pressure skirts in from Atlantic. Warmer thru the week though never hot and with winds temperatures higher up could still be cool. FULL waterproofs and warm layers (NO HOODIES) are, of course, absolutely essential. The weather will be different to here. August can be inclement (see video). Navigation: You MUST have maps and compass ready for action. Keep phones off and in waterproof bags, NOT in map cases.

Please note: local contacts say that a dry start to summer in the area and recent wet conditions means that MIDGE and HORSEFLY and TICK populations are very high: bring insect repellent, wear long walking trousers and long sleeves and hat are sensible precautions to ticks and insect bites. Your First Aid kit should contain antihistamine or similar bite cream etc.

Groups are advised to meet together prior to departure to run through their final preparations. Do not forget fully weather-proofed maps and test all your EQUIPMENT very thoroughly. Your assessor will be looking for completely independent, well organised and safe groups who are fully prepared.

Any snags, please contact SAC.