On Saturday 7th March, a group of 14 Duke of Edinburgh Award students went on a practice expedition around Robin Hood’s Bay and the countryside.
We started at school and went along the footpath down to the Bay. We stopped by the Old Coastguard Station, where we learnt how to orient a map and were reminded about safety tips on the coast such as staying away from cliff edges as there is always a risk of a rockfall or landslip.
As the tide was out we went along the beach, passed Boggle Hole and eventually w
alked up to the Cleveland Way. Later, as we went mostly through fields and pastures, it started getting more and more windy. As we climbed up the hills it was hard to stay on the track because the wind was constantly blowing us off the path.
Eventually, everyone safely got back to school and then came the time to review our equipment. Despite some small problems (including the groundsheets flying away) we managed to put up two tents and our practice day came to the end.
Overall we walked over 10 kilometres and although most of us ended up covered in mud, to a greater or lesser degree, we felt rewarded by the beautiful North York landscapes.
Many thanks to Mr Batchelor who organised the whole training and taught us all the essential expedition skills.
Joanna Koter (Year 12)
