Norton College’s Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Expedition this year was a huge success. Several students participated. They learned a range of new skills, shared experiences and mostly had a great time. The D of E expeditions are designed to develop teamwork, independence, and resilience through outdoor challenges. As part of this expedition, Norton students took part in a paddling journey along the River Severn and camped overnight at the Lenchford Inn.
Before the expedition, 6 students completed several training sessions to ensure they were ready. These included learning how to paddle safely, how to read a map, and how to work effectively in a team. We also practised setting up tents, cooking simple meals, and understanding safety procedures near water. Equipment checks were important, with the preparation training the student received they made sure they had appropriate clothing, waterproofs, food, and personal gear.
The River Severn provided our students with a challenging but enjoyable route for our expedition. They travelled by canoe, working together to steer, maintain balance, and control our speed through 30 km with one small rapid.
At times, the river current made paddling challenging, especially when moving against the current or navigating bends. Communication within the team was essential, as we needed to coordinate paddling strokes and watch for obstacles such as rocks, shallow areas, and overhanging branches and passing through locks.
Despite these challenges, paddling along the river allowed us to experience the natural environment in a unique way. We saw wildlife such as Kingfishers and fish, and the peaceful surroundings made the journey very enjoyable.
After a full day of paddling, we set up camp at the Lenchford Inn alongside the riverbank. as a group, our students worked together to pitch their tents efficiently and organise our equipment. We then prepared our evening meal using camping stoves before relaxing around a campfire.
D of E expeditions involving paddling on the River Severn and camping is a rewarding and memorable experience. It pushed our Bronze students out of their comfort zone and helped them develop valuable life skills, gain confidence, improve their ability to work in a team, and learn how to cope with challenges in an outdoor environment.
