Recommended DofE Routes
Recommended DofE Routes
The routes available at the links below are the routes we approve for Supervisors who hold the DofE Expedition Skills qualification. These are routes that have been used frequently and reconnoitered by the DofE Office.
They use established tracks and paths that are easily accessible from metalled roads and relatively easy to protect.
The routes also meet the DofE criteria for Bronze groups. They cross normal rural countryside which can be familiar to participants.
Supervision Planning
Although these routes have been approved for use, there are still a number of tasks that Supervisors need to complete to help participant gain maximum benefit from their expedition.
Supervisor should carry out a reconnaissance of the route to ensure that the route matches the capability of their participants. This should include checking that tracks and paths are still usable and there are no temporary restrictions on their use. Please check bridges and culverts are still usable, especially after periods of bad weather. You also need to check if forestry or building works are planned or in progress, and whether this will necessitate a change of route.
The reconnaissance should also highlight potential areas where participants may take a wrong turn or get disorientated.
The next step is to develop a Supervision Plan that enables you to ensure the team are safe without interfering in their freedom to make mistakes, problem solve and learn from their experiences. How do you monitor progress? When do you need to be with the team? When can you use remote supervision? What happens if the team take a wrong turn?
For Practices and Training Expeditions, the Supervision Plan should include planned training interventions to make sure the team are ready for their Qualifier.
Ensure that all volunteers supporting the expedition, including the Base Contact, expedition helpers and the Assessor, are aware of your Supervision Plan.
Support
The DofE Office are available to give you support and advice for planning or delivering your Expedition. The maps at the links below can be used for planning and helping participants create their own route cards. If you would like GPX files so you can transfer the routes to your own eDofE account, please contact the DofE Office.