It's not all outdoors at Skern Lodge. This is a problem solving session developing key skills.

Students on the 30 hour challenge at Skern Lodge.

Expedition Options

Public Services BTEC National and
First Diplomas

Unit 9: Outdoor and Adventurous Expeditions

The expeditions described within have been written so that your students can reach distinctions for units 9 and 13. While also allowing them to further their development in units 2: Team leadership in uniformed public services, 10: Skills for land-based outdoor and adventurous activities and 11: Skills for water-based outdoor and adventurous activities. However, this is your expedition, not ours. While reading the expedition option if you have any ideas that would better suit your students, feel free to contact us and we can alter your expedition accordingly. 

Expedition options

The options cover a variety of different expedition. A short overview for each option is outlined below, allowing you the opportunity to choose the one that best suits your students before viewing the sample programme.

Dartmoor expedition
Dartmoor gives the opportunity for students to navigate in one of England’s wilderness regions. This option gives your students greater autonomy while also improving their land based skills, rock climbing and navigation.

Hartland expedition
The Hartland expedition is similar to the expedition above, however the navigation is much simpler as the students will be on coastal routes. This allows your students to learn navigation in a highly controlled environment. They also have the chance to develop other land-based skills, such as rock climbing and camping.

River Torridge expedition
The River Torridge allows the group to experience an expedition in a dynamic environment. The students will have less autonomy on this expedition; however, it will increase their kayaking and camping skills.

Tarka Trail expedition
The Tarka Trail is a cycle along an old railway line that runs from Meeth in Mid Devon to the North Devon coast in Braunton. There are some off road sections just off the trail, which may be used. The Tarka Trail will give the students a chance to experience an expedition, while being supported by a Skern Lodge tutor. There is a low technical ability for this expedition, but the option allows your students to develop their soft skills.