THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD

Adventure Lifesigns are proud to work in partnership with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award as an Approved Activity Provider (AAP).

As well as providing out-sourcing solutions to schools in the UK, we are a leading expert in overseas DofE expeditions and residential programmes and provide an exceptionally high quality of service.

We currently facilitate overseas DofE expeditions in Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Norway and Nepal. Other overseas destinations are available; please contact us for further details.

Reasons for using Adventure Lifesigns for your DofE Award:

Adventure Lifesigns work closely with DofE South East office and were proud to be the premier sponsor of the prestigious Golden Trangia Award.

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From 2010 Local Operating Authorities will only accept applications from licensed Authorised Activity Providers for any Duke of Edinburgh's expedition.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award has recognised that Adventure Lifesigns meet the standards required of The Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition services. This new licence will ensure quality control on your expedition and be a guarantee that your Duke of Edinburgh's expedition will meet all the criteria specified in the 20 Conditions.

Organising a Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition can often involve a lot of extra work. You have the pressure of ensuring your expedition ticks all the mandatory Award requirements. We can now put your mind at rest by guaranteeing that the award itineraries we offer will all meet these requirements and will be recognised by your Local Operating Authority.

We are able to deliver Bronze, Silver and Gold in the UK and abroad.

All training and practice expeditions must be completed in the UK. For UK training we hold our own AALS license. We can also offer the Gold residential element.

We can also offer complete outsourcing solutions for your DofE unit, please contact us for further details.

THE 20 CONDITIONS OF THE EXPEDITION SECTION

The 20 Conditions are applicable to all expeditions. We can support you throughout your expedition process to ensure these are met. DofE want the same standard of expedition abroad as you would have on a UK assessed expedition. This includes remote supervision and self sufficiency during the assessed phase and we comply with these conditions.

Please click here for more information on how we comply with these conditions

Must be by the participants' own physical effort, without motorized or outside assistance Individuals will trek for the duration of the assessment
Must be unaccompanied and self-sufficient Adventure Lifesigns has support systems on the ground that allow DofE groups to have remote supervision that ensures the safety of the group
Supervised by an adult who is able to accept responsibility for the safety of the team All teams will have a qualified Expedition Leader and School Teacher overseeing their expedition
Must have an aim Chosen by the team with the itinerary being designed to meet this aim
All participants must be properly equipped Adventure Lifesigns have lightweight 4 season tents which are perfect for DofE assessment phases
Participants must have completed the required training and practice expeditions Adventure Lifesigns can provide support for the training and practices
One practice expedition must be undertaken We are set up to allow the teams to plan and prepare their expedition with help from us and in the spirit of the Award
Team must plan and organise their own expedition We are set up to allow the teams to plan and prepare their expedition with help from us and in the spirit of the Award
Assessment must be by an approved assessor Assessors provided for all DofE expeditions
There must be between 4 and 7 in a team Itineraries are designed to allow for small DofE contingents
Must be within the qualifying age of programme level This will be checked by Adventure Lifesigns
Participants must be at the same level of assessment This will be checked prior to departure
The team must not include those who have completed the same or higher level expedition This will be checked prior to departure
Accommodation should be by camping Lightweight 4 season tents provided by Adventure Lifesigns
The expedition must be of the correct duration Bronze - 2 days and 1 night, Silver 3 days and 2 nights and Gold 4 days and 3 nights. We will ensure the itinerary meets the minimum hours of planned activity during the assessed phase
Expedition should normally take place between end of March and end of October We will ensure the destination is appropriate for the expedition aim and objectives
The expedition should take place in the recommended environment Itineraries will be suited to Bronze, Silver and Gold award environments
Expedition must meet the minimum hours of planned activity Bronze 6 hours planned activity of which at least 3 hours journeying, Silver 7 hours planned activity of which at least 3 ½ hrs journeying and Gold 8 hours planned activity of which 4 hours journeying
A substantial meal should be cooked and eaten by the participants each day Facilities will be provided for cooking
A presentation must be prepared and delivered after the expedition This will be discuss with the team prior to departure

Accreditations and Affiliations

learning outside the classroom

The Quality Badge has been awarded to Adventure Lifesigns as an LOtC provider who has pledged to engage in an on-going process to sustain high quality learning outside the classroom. For further details visit

Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL)

ATOL is a financial protection scheme covering over 28 million UK consumers each year. Only ATOL tour operators can provide the peace of mind and full financial protection. Our ATOL number is ATOL 9303

Adventure Activities Licensing Scheme (AALA)

A Government sponsored scheme ensuring that those who provide certain adventure activities to young people under the age of 18 years, have their safety management systems inspected.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE)

Leading youth charity the DofE reaches so many people in so many different ways, giving all young people the chance to fulfil their potential.

Expedition Providers Association (EPA)

Adventure Lifesigns are a founding member of the Expedition Providers Association, hold at ATOL licence and are Adventure Activities Licensing Service registered. For further information regarding the Lifesigns Group please visit: www.lifesignsgroup.co.uk.

The Foreign & Commonwealth office (FCO)

The Foreign and Commonwealth office is responsible for promoting British interests overseas. We are Britain's diplomatic service and represent the United Kingdom's government overseas

British Standards

Venture provided by Adventure Lifesigns Limited to the British Standard BS8848: Specification for the Provision of Visits, Fieldwork, Expeditions and Adventurous Activities outside the UK (self declared).

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