Duke of Edinburgh's International Award: Adventurous Journeys
Overseas Adventurous Journeys offer a once in a lifetime opportunity that can have lasting benefits on young people.
Doing your Adventurous Journey in UK is more than an expedition — it’s the chance to discover new places, make lifelong friends, and prove to yourself that you can overcome anything.
At Wilderness Expertise, we are proud to support school groups from across the globe in completing the Adventurous Journey element of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. Our expedition programmes offer the opportunity for personal development, while exploring some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes, right here in the UK.
Overseas students welcome
The AJ offers a unique opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and experience something truly transformative. Here’s why:
- Sense of Achievement: Completing an AJ at any level is an incredible accomplishment. Overcoming challenges like navigating unfamiliar terrain, setting up camp, or working as a team to achieve a shared goal builds confidence and a deep sense of pride.
- Unforgettable Adventures: The journey allows you to explore the most beautiful and remote parts of the British countryside. From climbing hills to camping under the stars, these memories will last a lifetime.
- Skill Development: The journey is an opportunity to learn new skills—map reading, navigation, campcraft, teamwork, and problem-solving. These practical skills are crucial during the expedition, and are transferable into wider life.
- Building Friendships: Adventurous Journeys bring teams closer together. The shared experiences, from the laughter to the moments of challenge, forge strong bonds, as teams work together towards their shared goal.
- Personal Development: It’s not just the physical endurance; the AJ tests your mental resilience and independence. It encourages you people to push through challenges and discover what you’re capable of, developing self-reliance, leadership, problem solving and a growth mindset. You’ll go home with a renewed sense of self.
- Connection with Nature: In this high-tech world, an AJ provides a break from screens. It’s your chance to reconnect with nature, breathe fresh air, and wonder at the natural beauty surrounding us.
- Great for Future life: Completing the AJ helps you stand out on a university or job application. It demonstrates perseverance, teamwork, and leadership—all sought after by employers and educators.
What We Deliver:
We provide comprehensive support and tailored trips for Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels of the International DofE Award. We ensure that every expedition is safe, fun, and fully compliant with the requirements of the DofE programme.
Our Expedition Trips Include:
- Pre expedition Training and Preparation: We provide all the training required for a successful journey, including navigation, campcraft, first aid, and emergency procedures. Our experienced Leaders guide students through every stage of the process, ensuring they are fully prepared to enjoy their AJ experience.
- Tailored Itineraries: We offer expeditions across the UK. Each journey is designed to challenge students and foster independence, as well as have fun! We design routes tailored to the needs and interests of each group, ensuring that students are challenged and inspired by the trip.
- Qualified and Experienced Leaders: Our team of experienced expedition leaders are the best in the UK – fully qualified and passionate about outdoor education. They ensure students are supported while encouraging them to reap the personal development opportunities.
- Comprehensive Support: Safety is our top priority. All trips are risk-assessed, and we have robust safety procedures in place. We also provide 24-hour on-call support, so students, teachers and parents can focus on the adventure with peace of mind.
- Kit Provided: From tents and stoves to maps and compasses, and even the boots, we can supply all the equipment required for the journey. Students only need to bring personal kit and a sense of adventure!
- Assessment and Accreditation: Our Assessors evaluate each group to ensure that the AJ meets the DofE’s standards. We provide all necessary reports for successful completion of the award.
For more information regarding the DofE Award click here: https://www.intaward.org
Why Choose Wilderness Expertise?
With over 30 years of experience, we know what it takes to provide a memorable, and successful Adventurous Journey. Our team is committed to ensuring that students develop the skills to navigate the outdoors, create lifelong memories of an incredible personal achievement, and foster a new found love of the outdoors.
Ready to start planning the adventure? Get in touch today to chat about our expedition trips and how we support International DofE.
