Best foot forward

Claremont High School students strike out for the great unknown 

Back in April and May, two groups of Year 9 students took part in the DofE Bronze Expedition in the Chiltern Hills. Meeting at Chesham Station early on the first day, they travelled to Braidwood Scout Camp, which would be their base for half a week. On day one they walked with an instructor from Wildside Outdoors, learning everything from how to cross roads safely, through orienteering, to setting up a tent and cooking on a ‘Trangia’ (spirit-burning) stove. They then walked independently over the next two days, putting everything they’d learnt into practice. 

‘DofE was a very memorable experience,’ says Mahi Bhudia in 9.5. ‘It pushed me to the limit, but it was a fun time. We learnt how to set up a tent and read maps with a compass. I enjoyed it and will definitely be doing the Silver Expedition.’ 

‘It was a very useful experience,’ adds Dhilan Mistri in 9.7. ‘I was able to step out of my comfort zone and learn new things, such as navigating through forests, using maps and compasses and setting up tents. It was an enjoyable time and I highly recommend it.’ 

Ms Carter, who co-led the trips with Ms Mistri, was certainly proud of Claremont’s intrepid explorers: ‘I had the absolute pleasure of accompanying the first Bronze Expedition! The students demonstrated fantastic resilience, teamwork and a positive attitude. There were many laughs along the way, plus a few tears, but what impressed me most was how each of them stepped up - supporting one another, problem-solving and staying upbeat throughout the journey.’ 

For Ms Mistri, it was a real trip down memory lane: ‘Being out with the DofE group brought back many memories from when I did my Gold - the blisters, sleeping in a tent and taking wrong turns... It was great seeing the Year 9s push through, determined to make it back to camp on the last leg!’ 

It just goes to show that all journeys of discovery start with a first step… Where will yours take you?