DofE Qualifying Expeditions 2026

What, when, where, who for, how much?

What?  DofE Qualifying Expeditions for all levels.

When?  

• Bronze Qualifying – Friday 21^st – Saturday 22^nd August 2026
• Silver Qualifying – Friday 21^st – Sunday 23^rd August 2026
• Gold Qualifying – Friday 21^st – Monday 24^th August 2026

Where?  Start Wensleydale, finish either Wensleydale or Wharfedale depending on level

Who for?  Girlguiding members registered for the DofE Award and who have previously completed Expedition Training and a Practice Expedition.

How much?

• Bronze – £20
• Silver –  £40
• Gold – £65

Tell me more …

Further Information:

• Bronze – Two full days of walking over a minimum of 6 hours each day covering approximately 12km – 14 km each day and one overnight camp.
• Silver – Three full days of walking over a minimum of 7 hours each day covering approximately 14km – 17km each day and two overnight camps.
• Gold – Four full days of walking over a minimum of 8 hours each day covering approximately 18km – 20km each day and three overnight camps.
• All groups will need to be self-sufficient for the duration of the expedition, including planning the route and menu and you will receive further details on this once we know group sizes after booking. We need at least 4 participants at each level for the expeditions to be feasible.

The cost includes campsite fees and all the costs of adult volunteer support and any group equipment which needs to be provided. You will need to provide your own personal equipment, food and arrange your own transport to and from the starting and finishing points which you will receive details of along with a full kit list after booking.

By booking a place on this expedition you are agreeing that your daughter will abide by the requirements of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Girlguiding North East England Mobile Phone policy outlined below:

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has recently updated their mobile phone policy for expeditions ahead of the 2026 season.  The DofE Expedition Guide says:

“The Expedition section is designed to develop self-reliance and self-confidence through isolation and remote supervision, overcoming challenges and managing risk as an independent team of peers.  Increasingly a DofE Expedition is one of the very few times that young people will experience isolation away from mass media and instant communication, working only with a team of their peers.  This must be embraced as one of the core principles of the Expedition section.”

For the Girlguiding North East England Region Expeditions the volunteer team have agreed:

“Mobile phones may be taken by the team for emergency use only.  These phones must be switched off, kept in sealed bags and packed with first aid kits.”

This allows the team to make contact with the Supervisors or Emergency Services if necessary. For safety reasons all teams will have trackers so that supervisors can monitor the team’s location and all teams will be met on route by their supervisor at least once per day.  Supervisors will also be present on campsites overnight.

The alternative to the above policy is that “No mobile phones will be carried by the team” and we felt this was not appropriate in terms of team safety.

If participants require the use of a mobile phone for medical reasons or have a Girlguiding Adjustment Plan which outlines the use of mobile phones as a necessity for other reasons then please let Janet Cain know when you book a place on the expedition so that reasonable adjustments can be agreed.

If teams wish to use photos or video recordings as part of their evidence towards their team goal then we ask that they bring a suitable digital camera/GoPro etc to do this.  Photos and videos are not a requirement for evidencing the goal.

Please be aware and ensure your daughter is aware of these requirements on booking the expedition so that we have a consistent expectation between all participants, volunteers and parents.

Failure to meet this requirements will mean participants are unable to have their expedition signed off as completed.

If you have any questions please contact: janet.cain@girlguidingnortheast.org.uk

 How to apply:

Complete the booking section below.  Make sure you choose the ticket for the correct DofE level. Places are limited so please book as soon as possible.  If when you come to book you find the expedition is full please email sharron.little@girlguidingnortheast.org.uk.

Ticket sales will close on Friday 7^th August 2026 at 9.00 am

If you have any questions regarding this event please contact the Region office by emailing info@girlguidingnortheast.org.uk

WE ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH CARD PAYMENTS WHICH WE HAVE TAKEN UP WITH OUR WEBSITE PROVIDER.  IF YOU CAN PAY BY BACS FOR THE TIME BEING PLEASE DO SO, OTHERWISE WE WILL LET YOU KNOW ONCE CARD PAYMENTS ARE FIXED – APOLOGIES!  Payments can be made via Paypal, card or BACS. If you wish to pay by card make sure you click on the ‘Paypal’ button – our card payments are managed for us by Paypal.   If you wish to pay by BACS click on the dropdown arrow next to ‘Pay by paypal’ and it will give you the BACS option.  If paying by BACS please quote the reference ‘QualEx26’.  BACS payments must be received within 48 working hours of booking or we reserve the right to cancel your booking.

Booking Terms and Conditions

By booking this ticket you are agreeing to the Girlguiding North East England booking terms and conditions as follows.

Cancellation by Participant – Cancellation must be made via email or in writing to the Girlguiding North East England office. No refunds are payable on cancellation by the Participant.

Cancellation by Girlguiding North East England – Girlguiding North East England reserves the right to modify or cancel the event if unforeseen circumstances arise. In the event of cancellation being made by Girlguiding North East England a full refund of the event fee paid to Girlguiding North East England will be made to participants.