Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Expeditions for Schools
Learn Outdoors delivers Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) expeditions for schools across England and Wales. As a long-established DofE Approved Activity Provider (AAP), we support schools with Silver DofE training, practice expeditions and qualifying expeditions, ensuring every programme meets DofE requirements while providing appropriate challenge and progression from Bronze level.
FULL SILVER DofE SUPPORT PACKAGE
We provide complete Silver DofE expedition support for schools, including:
- Silver DofE expedition training
- Navigation and route planning skills
- Expedition planning and risk awareness
- Equipment advice and preparation guidance
- Campsite bookings and land access coordination
- Practice expeditions
- Qualifying expeditions
- Qualified instructors and supervision
- Tracker technology
- Accredited DofE assessment and expedition sign-off
All Silver expeditions are delivered in line with current DofE guidance. Discover more about whats included in your DofE expedition.
OTHER PACKAGE OPTIONS
SILVER DofE EXPEDITION PACKAGE OPTIONS
Learn Outdoors offers flexible Silver DofE expedition packages, allowing schools to choose the level of support that best suits their staff experience, resources and budget.
Package options include:
- Full-service Silver expeditions (with or without tents, stoves and gas):
We manage planning, training, campsites, instructors, assessors and expedition logistics, with equipment available where required. -
In-school or local expeditions with partial support:
Schools lead expedition logistics, equipment and staffing, with Learn Outdoors providing additional qualified instructors where required to support safe and effective delivery.
We are happy to tailor Silver DofE expedition packages to your needs. Talk to us about the level of involvement you’d like us to provide.
What Is A Silver DofE Expedition?
The Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition builds on the skills developed at Bronze level and introduces a higher level of independence, challenge and responsibility.
A typical Silver DofE expedition involves:
- 3 days of walking as a self-sufficient team
- 2 nights camping at approved campsites
- Longer daily routes with increased navigation demands
- Independent decision-making while navigating between checkpoints
Before the assessed expedition, participants complete training and a practice expedition, developing advanced navigation, campcraft, teamwork and leadership skills.
During the qualifying expedition, groups walk independently while being remotely supervised by our experienced instructors, supported by the use of tracker technology, in line with DofE guidance. This structure allows students to take ownership of their expedition while remaining safe and supported.
Learn Outdoors works closely with schools to introduce students to expeditioning in a way that is supportive, confidence-building and age-appropriate, while still meeting the required level of challenge set by the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Why Choose Learn Outdoors?
Schools choose Learn Outdoors as their Silver DofE expedition provider in because we offer:
- A nationally recognised DofE Approved Activity Provider
- Straightforward pricing
- Extensive experience delivering DofE expeditions across the UK
- Carefully selected routes suitable for Silver expeditions
- Clear progression to Gold expeditions
- Fully qualified instructors, course directors and accredited DofE assessors
- Dedicated office team to support you before, during and after your expedition
We work in close partnership with school DofE coordinators to ensure every expedition meets both educational and logistical requirements.
To find out more about what sets us apart visit our Why Choose Us page.
Areas We Regularly Work In
Learn Outdoors regularly delivers DofE expeditions for schools in:
- Surrey
- Kent
- East Sussex
- West Sussex
- Hampshire
We deliver DofE expeditions nationwide across England and Wales, chat to us about your school’s DofE requirements.
Silver DofE Expeditions For Schools
Schools choose Learn Outdoors for their Silver DofE expeditions because we understand the need to balance increased challenge with strong preparation and support.
We regularly support:
- Silver DofE expeditions for secondary schools
- Silver DofE expeditions in South East England
- Silver DofE expeditions near London for schools seeking manageable travel
Our Silver programmes encourage independence, resilience and confident decision-making.
PRICING
WHATS INCLUDED
PROGRESSION BEYOND SILVER
Completing a Silver DofE expedition prepares participants for the increased demands of Gold DofE expeditions.
Many schools choose to progress to Gold DofE expeditions nationally in more remote, challenging environments
Learn Outdoors supports schools through the full DofE journey.
FAQs
How Difficult Is The Expedition?
Silver is a step up from Bronze and is designed to provide a greater physical and navigational challenge.
Participants will usually:
-
Walk for around 7 hours per day
-
Carry a full expedition rucksack
-
Navigate more independently
-
Camp for 2 nights on the qualifying expedition
-
Cover longer distances than at Bronze
We plan routes carefully to ensure they are challenging but achievable. Where necessary, we can make sensible adjustments to suit the needs of individuals.
Does Learn Outdoors Organise Campsites?
If you choose our full expedition package, we organise all campsite bookings and expedition logistics for you.
If a school prefers to manage campsite bookings themselves, we can also provide a more flexible support package.
What Time Of Year Is Best For Silver?
Silver expeditions usually run between April and October.
These months offer longer daylight hours and generally more settled weather, although we always plan for changing conditions and prioritise safety at all times.
At Learn Outdoors, we work closely with schools to schedule expeditions around your academic calendar, key school events and exam periods.
We always aim to accommodate your preferred dates wherever possible. Booking early gives you the best chance of securing your first choice and allows plenty of time for planning, training and parent communication.
Our goal is to make the organisation process straightforward, flexible, and stress-free for schools.
Does Learn Outdoors Provide Kit?
Learn Outdoors can provide tents, stoves and gas. Please see our equipped expedition prices for further details.
Does Learn Outdoors Provide Training Before The Expedition?
Proper training is essential for a successful Silver expedition. Learn Outdoors does offer training options.
We can deliver:
- Nnavigation skills
- Mountain safety and hazard awareness
- Expedition and route planning
- Campcraft and stove safety
- Food and menu planning
- First aid training
Please contact us to discuss training options with us in more detail.
Can Silver Expeditions Be Run Outside The South East?
Yes. While many Silver expeditions take place in the South East for convenience, we can also deliver in other parts of the UK.
Our staff have expedition experience across much of upland UK and can run expeditions in a range of locations.
We work closely with schools to choose a location that provides the right balance of accessibility, challenge and cost.
Get In Touch
Planning a Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition for your school?
Speak to Learn Outdoors about Silver DofE training, practice and qualifying expeditions.