Earlier in August, twenty-one Form Six CCF cadets from Oakham School undertook their Gold assessed expedition in the Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines.
The expedition was originally planned to take place in Telemark in Norway, but the location changed to the UK due to Covid travel restrictions. The cadets spent four days in their teams of seven battling the hills and elements across Cumbria and Yorkshire, covering around 75km. The teams mostly enjoyed ‘wild camping’ in quieter, more unspoiled areas although they also used some established campsites, which saw one group in the slightly incongruous position of camping at the Tan Hill Inn – the highest pub in England – on the same evening they were hosting a Blondie tribute band! The weather over the expedition was mixed from heavy rain to bright sunshine.
Capt Duncan Wright, CCF DofE and AT Officer, said: “The annual assessed Gold DofE expedition is a highlight of the calendar for both cadets and adults. The disappointment of not being able to go to Norway as planned was quickly replaced with a real determination to make the most of the opportunity. The cadets did fantastically well over the four days, remaining cheerful even in the worst of weather, and covering a lot of ground over some quite difficult terrain. Apart from qualifying them for their DofE Expedition section, the expedition also met the secondary aim too – bonding the year group together as they approach their final 7th Form year in the CCF when they take up command positions and lead the Contingent.”
