The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is a youth programme designed to increase team-building and individual skills by completing a personal programme of activities in four sections. There are three levels: bronze, silver and gold. Achieving a DofE Award gives you skills, confidence and a positive outlook: attributes that everyone is looking for, from employers, to colleges and universities. On top of that, you get to experience new things, challenge yourself and, above all, have lots of fun!
On the 3rd of September, the 5th year DofE group went off to complete the qualifying expedition. Leaving from the Academy the pupils set off from Admiral Farm, Edderton and walked until finally reaching the camp site at the Coag Bothy. The camp was set up, dinner was prepared and we all had time to meet and have a chat with our assessor, Angus.
With an early-ish start the next morning, the group departed from the camp site along with our maps and compasses to complete the next challenge, which was walking along woodland paths and hills to our end point at Aldie Burn. Despite a few wrong turns and a general lost sense of direction, we eventually managed to make it back home safely!!
-Tammy Hudson, S5
Invergordon Academy 