This year, thirty Year 10 and Year 11 students enrolled in the Bronze Award. During their practice expedition in May, our boys displayed a fantastic attitude and set the bar high in terms of their navigation and campcraft skills. The students walked a route from Cushendun to Watertop Farm, where they camped overnight, before navigating around Ballypatrick forest. The practice expedition is a steep learning curve for the students as it is their first real opportunity to put their learning into practice. This year, the weather was perfect for walking, and our boys did very well (including the group who got lost for an hour walking around Watertop Farm!).

The final expedition took place in June in the Mourne mountains. Donard forest and Tollymore forest are notoriously difficult to navigate through, but this year, we have an exceptional group of students, and every group was able to navigate safely through without getting lost. Tents were pitched and dinners consisting of mainly baked beans and sausages were cooked on trangia stoves, with all groups in their tents and settled down for the night relatively early. The second day started early with groups ready to walk before 8am. There were a number of Duke of Edinburgh groups from other schools camped at Meelmore Lodge, and most of these students were still snoring in their tents, when our boys were breaking camp. Once again, the boys distinguished themselves in terms of their attitude, navigational skills and general positivity.

For more information on the Award, please contact Mrs. McAlister on nmcalister341@c2kni.net