In September 2025, along with other year 11 students, I took part in the expedition section of our Silver Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award. .
This meant spending 3 days walking and camping in the picturesque Brecon Beacons in Wales, carrying all of our food and clothes with us.
Prior to the expedition, we completed 3 sections of the award: skills, physical and volunteering. Each section lasted 3 or 6 months for at least 1 hour per week, which showed us the value of commitment. For example, I helped at my local Brownies as my volunteering, and not only did it teach me skills such as patience, communication and leadership, it was something that I found myself looking forward to each week.
However, the most rewarding part of Silver DofE was definitely the expedition. On the first day, we set off from the beautiful town of Hay-on-Wye and walked 28km through fields of cows and sheep, up steep mountain trails and down valleys. Although we got lost at times and struggled on the uphill paths, the stunning view on top of the mountain meant that our efforts had paid off.
On the second day, we faced our steepest incline yet which was followed by 2 hours of walking along the uneven ridge, battling rain, fog and wind. This was definitely the hardest day of walking, however completing it with my friends made the somewhat daunting challenge an unforgettable experience that we genuinely loved.
Our third day saw us finish at Dinas Castle. Reaching the final checkpoint felt somewhat bittersweet as we didn’t want the experience to end. Throughout the 3 days, we learnt how to read maps, plan routes and put up tents, but also learnt how to work as a team and solve problems in a place so unfamiliar. It wasn’t easy: the intense walking, unpredictable weather and uncertainty tested us, but it was all worth it for the feeling of satisfaction when we got to the end.
At first, we thought the biggest challenge would be lasting three whole days without Wi-Fi! However, we found that by forgetting about our phones and being away from the stress of our everyday lives made us appreciate the surroundings and the experience so much more. Whilst Silver DofE was challenging at times, it is such a fun and unique opportunity that I would recommend it to anyone.
This article appeared in the 2025-2026 issue of JCG Life. To read the digital version of the magazine, click here.