The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
Overview
4th Dimension is an Approved Activity Provider (AAP) for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme at all three levels of the Expedition Section, Bronze, Silver and Gold, both on foot and on the water. We are also a provider for the Gold Residential Section of the Award.
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We pride ourselves in delivering exceptional skills training and expedition management to ensure the successful completion of each Award, no matter what level. We work closely with all our clients, whether that be a large school Bronze cohort of up to 200 participants or a small Gold team of 4 individuals, to provide a programme that is tailored to your personal requirements.
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All we need from you is an idea on numbers, a preferred expedition venue and which mode of travel you would like to use to complete the expedition; on foot or on the water – We will do the rest!
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The Expedition
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What is included?
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A full time Expedition Course Director who will be available to assist with anything before, during and post expedition.
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Comprehensive pre-expedition admin pack for participants and schools / parents / guardians, including consent forms, kit lists etc.
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Assistance with expedition paperwork. We will complete operating authority notifications, green forms and risk assessments.
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High quality training, delivered at your venue, our Ashdown Forest site or even in the expedition area.
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Experienced instructors holding National Governing Body qualifications relevant to the environment in which they are working. All of our instructors hold a current and relevant first aid qualification and Enhanced DBS certificate.
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Training materials and helpful handouts for participants.
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All supervision and developmental training throughout the programme (during the day and overnight where agreed). Our goal is to help young people develop their personal and practical skills as much as possible during their time with us, both as individuals and as part of their team.
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Campsite or bunkhouse fees for participants.
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Smiles and encouragement throughout!
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We also provide the following equipment if required:
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Tents & Group Shelters
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Stoves & Fuel
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Group First Aid Kits
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Hi-Vis Vests (for any potential road walking)
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Maps & Compasses
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Boats, Paddles and Buoyancy Aids for Water Based Expeditions
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Insurance (see below for full details)
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All instructors hold current National Governing Body qualifications relevant to the environment in which they are working. Supervisors and Assessors will have attended the DofE Expedition Supervisors Training Course (ESTC) and Expedition Assessors Accreditation Scheme (EAAS) courses, or the new Expedition Assessor Supervisor Training Course (EASTC). All instructors hold a current Rescue Emergency Care (REC) / Activity First Aid (AFA) certificate and a current Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate and are kept up to date with company policy on Safeguarding and Child Protection, plus any other information relevant to the Award.
Our walking expedition packages take on the same format, whatever the level of award. Each training day / practice expedition will start with the following key elements that form the basis of a safe and successful qualifying expedition experience. Our highly experienced instructors will cover the following key subject areas:
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The Expedition Rucksack, Equipment and Footwear
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Campcraft and Use of Stoves
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Emergency Procedures and Incident Management
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First Aid Procedures
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Road Crossings and Walking on Roads
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Navigation and Route Planning
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Environmental Awareness and The Countryside Code
The practice expedition will start with direct supervision. This will allow us to assist with any areas that may need additional support. Once we are satisfied with the team’s ability to remain self-sufficient, our instructors will step back and meet the team at various points along the practice route and provide comprehensive feedback at the end with some pre-qualifying expedition hints and tips!
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Our water based canoeing expedition packages take on the same format, whichever level of award. Each training day / practice expedition will start with the following key elements that form the basis of a safe and successful qualifying expedition experience. Our highly experienced instructors will cover the following key subject areas:
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The Expedition Drybag, Equipment and PPE
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Campcraft and Use of Stoves
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Emergency Procedures and Incident Management
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‘On the Water’ Safety and Rescue Training
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First Aid Procedures
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Water Access and Manual Handling of Boats & Equipment
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Navigation, Route Planning and Portages
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Environmental Awareness and The Countryside Code
The practice expedition will start with direct supervision. This will allow us to assist with any areas that may need additional support. Once we are satisfied with the team’s ability to remain self-sufficient, our instructors will step back and meet the team at various points along the practice route and provide comprehensive feedback at the end with some pre-qualifying expedition hints and tips!
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Our brand new water based Paddle Board expedition packages take on the same format, whichever level of award. Each training day / practice expedition will start with the following key elements that form the basis of a safe and successful qualifying expedition experience. Our highly experienced instructors will cover the following key subject areas:
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The Expedition Drybag, Equipment and PPE
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Campcraft and Use of Stoves
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Emergency Procedures and Incident Management
-
‘On the Water’ Safety and Rescue Training
-
First Aid Procedures
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Water Access and Manual Handling of Boards & Equipment
-
Navigation, Route Planning and Portages
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Environmental Awareness and The Countryside Code
The practice expedition will start with direct supervision. This will allow us to assist with any areas that may need additional support. Once we are satisfied with the team’s ability to remain self-sufficient, our instructors will step back and meet the team at various points along the practice route and provide comprehensive feedback at the end with some pre-qualifying expedition hints and tips!
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4th Dimension is an Approved Activity Provider (AAP) for the Gold Residential Section of the Award Scheme.
For the Residential section, you need to undertake a shared activity or specific course where the majority of people are unknown to you, in a residential setting away from home and in an unfamiliar environment. Evenings are often as much a part of the experience as daytime activities. The residential section consists of a 5 day, 4 night programme.
This section offers a high degree of flexibility but it must be done with an organised group, registered charity or Approved Activity Provider (AAP).
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Restricted Spaces Expedition Model
The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme has introduced a potential ‘game changer’ for schools wishing to continue with their expeditions during the COVID-19 pandemic and have allowed AAPs, like us, to think ‘outside the box’! These temporary changes will be in place until October 2023 and may be of some interest to you!
The expedition element has always been centred on teamwork rather than walking and navigation. We have therefore developed a two day Bronze expedition that meets the 20 conditions (taking in to account the current temporary changes), that does not require the participants to leave the school grounds! This can be completed over a weekend, weekdays or during the school term as part of the curriculum. We can also complete the process without the need for a practice expedition, and our Assessors will complete the assessor reports so that the participants will gain the full award and certificate! Participants can also return home at the end of each day!
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