Silver D of E in Surrey

Six intrepid explorers from the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme ventured to the Surrey hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, from 30^th March to 1^st April for a three day hike in preparation for their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Their expedition took them from West Horsley to Bentley Copse on the Saturday, from Bentley Copse to Westcott on day two and from Boxhill to beyond Ranmore Common for the final push on Monday.

Camping for two nights at the Bentley Copse scout camp site the group noticed how much quieter it was on the Sunday when all of the other D of E groups making the most of the spring weather had gone home. Less people turned out to mean more badgers though as first the Head of Chemistry, Adam Ball, discovered an attack on his sourdough by a hungry beast, and second the students realised the badger had guzzled a packet of bagels! Ultimately Adam’s snack was found to be untouched as the badger had preferred to eat the plastic bags surrounding the bread and turned its nose up at the sourdough! The students were not so lucky with their baked goods but fortunately there was enough food to redistribute the rations and no-one went hungry.

Barney, Will, Klara, Millie, Jasmine and Jamie worked as a team, supporting poor Klara who was suffering with some horrible blisters from her evening heels, having been to the Sports Dinner on the Friday night. D of E Co-Ordinator, Ann Munday, commented, “The group were determined but they had some experience as they did the Bronze Award two years ago. Also, they really looked after each other and got on well together; all of that helps to make the expedition successful.”