Braving the changing weathers, muddy fields and gorgeous sights of North Yorkshire, a group of 16 young people from Batley have successfully completed the expedition part of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE).
The expedition and training were organised in partnership with Shared Outcomes, a charitable group that
work specifically with young people, with the expeditions funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund.
A training package was delivered at the Al-Hikmah Centre where participants learned numerous skills such as how to put up tents, cook food on trangia cookers, read maps and administer basic first aid in preparation.
Following a practice expedition, which gave the participants a taster of what is to come, the main expedition took place at the end of April in North Yorkshire. They started on Saturday morning at Staxton Hill just west of Scarborough, and walked to their campsite at West Knapton. After camping overnight they continued on foot to Wharram Le Street following the Wolds Way.
Describing his experience of DofE, Umar Faruk Mohammed said it was an “amazing experience, it makes you more confident in yourself and definitely improves that social awkwardness most people have.”
Areej Bilal said “I learned how to read a map and use a compass; basically navigate without using my phone”. Asked if they would encourage others to take part, the answer was a resounding “yes”.
The DofE Award is a nationally recognised award for young people and is an excellent way to develop useful skills for the future, such as learning how to work together in a team, how to orienteer, and develop practical and social skills. That, whilst at the same time having lots of fun.
IMWS would like to congratulate all the participants on successfully completing their expeditions and wish them the best of luck in achieving the rest of the award.
