Duke of Edinburgh Award

At a Glance

  • Proud to be a DofE Approved Activity Provider
  • New for 2025: Book a Gold Residential experience

Duke of Edinburgh – New for 2025:

Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Experiences. 

We are proud to announce that Adventure Okehampton are now an Approved Activity Provider for Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Experiences. Two different programmes have been approved and are available to book at £350 per person (including accommodation and board).

Option 1: Biking Development Week

This skills based course is aimed at individuals who are bike-confident and want to develop their personal and leadership skills over varied terrain. Depending on individuals skills, this 5 day residential course will give an opportunity to develop expertise such that participants may have suitable experience to attend a Mountain-Bike Instructors Award Scheme (MIAS) level 1 or 2 course.

Courses: 27th to 31st October 2025.

See sample timetable in information boxes below.

Option 2: Multi-Activity Week

This 5 day residential, is designed as an enrichment experience, trying out new things, meeting new people, having fun whilst developing self-confidence within a team. Activities and the programme may vary depending on external factors such as the weather!

Potential activities include Abseiling, Archery, Axe-throwing, Gorge Walking, High Ropes, Overnight expedition, Paddle-Boarding and Rock Climbing.

Accommodation and catering supplies included.

Courses: 21st to 25th July 2025, 27th to 31st October 2025.

Venue for Duke of Edinburgh Group Training

For those leaders organising their own training schedules, Dartmoor has suitable terrain for both Bronze and Silver Award Expeditions.  YHA Okehampton and YHA Okehampton Bracken Tor are both suitable venues for groups looking to undertake their expedition training.  Our staff team have experienced Dartmoor walkers, who can assist group leaders in suggesting areas suitable for overnight expeditions.  Our Bracken Tor venue offers direct access to the Moors from the Bracken Tor Lodge and has a good flat area suitable for camping outside.

Biking Development Week - typical programme

All Activities are subject to change dependent on weather conditions and other external factors. Typical Programme for the week:

Monday:

12.00            Arrival time, Meet and Greet:  Icebreaker session and room allocation

12.30            Lunch (provided by us).

13.30.           Introduction to the Bike Shed, allocation of Bike (if not using own bike). Introduction to track and skills assessment using Granite Way Cycle Track.

17.30.          Dinner (Catering at Youth Hostel)

19.30.          Evening Activity: Bike skills and Bike Games

21.30.          End of session, Participants self-sufficient

Night warden on duty in case of emergencies.

Tuesday

08.00-09.00   Breakfast (provided by us)

9.30             Basic bike maintenance training.

12.00            Lunch (ingredients provided by us, made by you)

13.00.           Afternoon biking in woodland terrain: skills and leadership

17.00.           Clean-down Bikes

18.00.          Dinner (Catering at Youth Hostel)

19.00            Evening Activity: Evening ride on back lanes of Dartmoor

21.30.          End of session, Participants self-sufficient,

Night warden on duty in case of emergencies.

Wednesday

08.00-09.00   Breakfast (provided by us)

9.30             Safe trailer loading.

1o.30           Biking day at Haldon Hill cycle area. developing skills and leadership on a variety of forest trails.  Packed lunch  (ingredients provided by us, made by you).

17.00.           Clean-down Bikes

18.00.           Dinner (Catering at Youth Hostel)

Evening Activity: Film Night Participants self-sufficient,

Night warden on duty in case of emergencies.

Thursday

08.00-09.00   Breakfast (provided by us)

9.30             Biking Day on Dartmoor. This will be using permitted routes and local bridle paths. Developing skills and leadership. This session will include incident management, dealing with injuries and getting help. Packed lunch  (ingredients provided by us, made by you).

17.00.           Clean-down Bikes

18.00.          BBQ Dinner (Catering by us) with evening campfire activity.

21.30.           Activity staff finish for the day.

Night warden on duty in case of emergencies.

Friday

08.00-09.00   Breakfast (provided by us)

09.00.         Clear rooms and pack main bags

9.30             Load Bike Trailer

10.00           Final Ride:  High Moor Ring Road.

13.00          Lunch  (ingredients provided by us, made by you).

14.00          Group debrief and the opportunity for 1:1 debriefs (optional)

15.00.          End of Residential

Multiactivity Week - typical programme

All Activities are subject to change dependent on weather conditions and other external factors.

Typical Programme for the week:

Monday:

12.00        arrival time, Meet and Greet:  Icebreaker session and room allocation

12.30            Lunch (provided by us)

13.30.           Afternoon Activity: High Ropes.

17.30           Dinner (Provided by us at YHA)

19.30.          Evening Activity: Archery

21.30.          End of session, Participants self-sufficient

Night warden on duty in case of emergencies.

Tuesday

08.00-09.00   Breakfast (provided by us)

9.30             Pack for overnight adventure. Main kit into support van. Pack days sacs.

12.00           Lunch  (ingredients provided by us, made by you).

12.30.           Rock Climbing

15.00.          Guided walk to campsite

17.00.          Set-up camp

18.00.          Dinner (Cooked over campfire)

19.00            Evening Activity: Axe Throwing

21.30.          Campfire

(2 x staff staying overnight)

Wednesday

08.00-09.00   Breakfast (cooked over campfire)

10.00                Morning activity: Paddle Boarding

12.30.               Lunch  (ingredients provided by us, made by you).

13.30                 De-camp, pack kit into van, taken to local Tor

14.00.              Afternoon activity: weaselling

17.00.             Back to centre and clean-up

18.00.            Dinner (catered by us)

Evening Activity: Film Night Participants self-sufficient,

Night warden on duty in case of emergencies.

Thursday

08.00-09.00   Breakfast (provided by us)

9.30             Adventure Day> Biking along Granite Way trail, Abseiling, Gorge Scrambling Bike back to centre. Packed Lunch  (ingredients provided by us, made by you).

17.00.           Clean-down Bikes

18.00.          Dinner (catered by us) with evening campfire activity.

21.30.           Activity staff finish for the day.

Night warden on duty in case of emergencies.

Friday

08.00-09.00   Breakfast (provided by us)

09.00.         Clear rooms and pack main bags

9.30             Load Bike Trailer

10.00           Team Challenge competition morning.

13.00          Lunch  (ingredients provided by us, made by you).

14.00          Group debrief and good byes

15.00.          End of Residential

FAQ

Can I book with a friend?

You can attend with one person that you know but you will need to check with your DofE leader if three or more people attending the same residential know each other. A key part of the residential is meeting new people. Don’t worry, many people attend as individuals and we run ice-breaker sessions at the start, so you get to know the others.

Can I arrive later or be picked up early?

Apologies, we are unable to authorise late drop-off or early pick-up due to the requirements for the DofE residential.

How do I get signed off for completing the residential section?

At the end of the week, our team will submit an online assessors report to eDofE on the DofE residential which will appear on your eDofE profile, usually within 72 hours.

Can I get information about the assessors for the residential section?

You will receive the Assessor’s details in your confirmation email when you book.

What age do I need to be for the residential

Anyone who who is aged between 16 and 25 is eligible.

Any enquiries please direct them to the team at Ian@adventureokehampton.com

 

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