Students Complete First Training Day for Bronze DofE

Students of The Macclesfield Academy, who are working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award, attended their first of two training days on Saturday 15th April 2023. 

Due to complete their qualifying expedition on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th May 2023, students have been working towards their bronze awards, which involves the learning of new skills, volunteering and physical challenges.

In order to ensure that all students are prepared for their final expedition, they attended Forest Scout Camp in Sandiway, for their first training expedition, where they learned about the Highway/Countryside code, first aid, meal prep, and bag packing - not to mention the team work required for putting up a tent!

The weather was kind, with intervals of warm sunshine, and the students applied themselves to the tasks required diligently. Throughout the day, students were exposed to mini challenges, aimed at testing their knowledge and reactions; from assessing first aid needs as staff members demonstrated various injuries, to practising safe use of camping stoves as they made themselves hot chocolates. 

Of course, OS map reading skills and using compasses was high on the agenda and after a crash course in finding north and applying this to their map reading, our young adventurers headed out in groups to complete a circular route in the surrounding area. Using features such as woodland, marshland and lakes as helpful pointers that they were on the right track, all four groups were successful in completing their first (mini) expedition in good time, passing staffed check points along the way.  

All involved had a great day and it was brilliant to see students developing their skills, knowledge and independence as they continue to work towards their bronze award. 

If you would like to find out more about the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award offered at The Macclesfield Academy, you can visit our DofE webpage .