Duke of Edinburgh Open Gold Canoeing Expeditions 2

Join our Duke of Edinburgh Award Open Canoe Gold Expedition. Canoe Trail is an experienced AAP (Approved Activity Provider) who have supported thousands of young people on their DofE expeditions.

Level: Grade 0 - This means it is a flat paddle and should be within most people’s abilities.

Book for the next available dates or contact us for your school or group
Groups of 6-8
Save £££'s and book the bundle deal of Gold Practice and Qualifying Expeditions from £575

See dates and price below
Duration: PRACTICE: 2 days and 2 nights. QUALIFIER: 4 days and 3 nights

Canoe Trail is a multi-award winning activity provider, along with being a Gold Delivery Partner with Paddle UK. We have an expert team of highly qualified coaches who are lead by our professional adventurer management team. Canoe Trail has over 20 years of experience as an AAP (Approved Activity Provider) who have supported thousands of young people on their DofE expedition journey.

What's Included

Craft
Buoyancy Aid
Dry Bag
Paddles
Helmet
Professional Coaches
Your Campsite
Activity Equipment

What else we can provide on request

• Tents

• Sleeping bags + liner

• Roll mat

• Trangia (cooking stove) + fuel

2027 Dates - Bundle deal for Practice and Qualifier - from £575.

Practice:

• Bedfordshire: 7th-9th April - £250 (Practice only)

• Bedfordshire: 2nd-4th June - £325 (Practice only)

• Bedfordshire: 22nd-24th July - £375 (Practice only)

Qualifier:

• Northamptonshire: 23rd-26th August - £400 (Bundle deal for Practice and Qualifier is £575 for this trip)

• Loch Lomand, Scotland: 23rd-26th August - £500 (Bundle deal for Practice and Qualifier is £685 for this trip)

• Northamptonshire: 25th-28th October - £325 (Bundle deal for Practice and Qualifier is £575 for this trip)

Brilliant training and assessed expeditions to meet the Duke of Edinbugh Gold Expedition Requirements (Open DofE)

We welcome all abilities, and you don't need to have canoed before as this is all part of the comprehensive training programme. Feel free to contact us to discuss further as we can help bring your skills up to speed.

Practice Expedition (training and practice Exped)

Day 1 - Evening (6pm-7pm Arrival): Meet at Kempston Outdoor Centre (MK42 8QP). Welcome and introductions, followed by camp craft training sessions.

Day 2 - In the morning, we will cover First Aid and Navigation sessions, before taking to the water to learn canoeing skills. Then we'll head to our private woodland paddling through Bedford's iconic river Embankment to Matchstick Woods. Where we will conclude our day with Rescue Skills.

Day 3 - Paddle further down the Great Ouse to the beautiful market town of St Neots to camp (finishing at approx. 3pm)

Qualifying Expedition (Assessed)

Day 1 - Meet on the banks of the river to start your assessed Gold canoe expedition at 8:30am.

Days 2 to 4 - Paddle and camp along the stunning river camping at different locations including a castle and island campsite, before completing your expedition.

Bundle deal for Practice and Qualifying (Assessed Expedition) from £575

Trip Description

Complete your Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, the No.1 rated life skill of the top 100 employers in the UK.

Learn practical life skills, expedition routine and wider D of E with our professional instructors and adventurers

Spend your nights at our riverside campsites developing important life skills , resilience and outdoor activities

Our qualified and experienced coaches will provide plenty of tips to improve your paddling skills and aim to ensure you share their love of all things outdoors.

We also run trips and expeditions to Canada, Wales and Scotland, if you have a group ready then why not talk to us about expeditions further afield.

Included

Expert tuition from professional experienced guides
Canoes
Paddling Kit including BA’s, Cags, Trousers, Drybags, Paddles
Tents, sleeping bags, stoves are available to hire
Campsites and fees

What you will need to bring

Sleeping Bag & Roll Mat
Cutlery, Cup, Bowl, Knife & Fork
Food for expeditions
Waterproofs
Hats and gloves (dress for the weather)
Personal Kit
A Sense of Humour!

Hire FAQ's

What's the difference between a kayak and a canoe?

If you're not sure of what each craft is, then read our guide here.

Are the trips guided?

There are no guides or instructors needed for hire. This is simply a hire where you paddle out and back to our launch point. We recommend our preferred route, however, you are free-range and able to explore the river.

What if it rains?

Unless you hear from us then your booking will run on the day agreed. Canoe Trail runs watersports, paddling, and adventurous activities throughout the year with people enjoying the river and our woodland campsite during the different seasons. On rare occasions (it only happens a couple of times a year) we may move or change your booking. This will be in freak weather conditions such as extremely high river flows in spate or during heavy storms with lightning. You can read our full FAQ here.

How does the booking process work?

We use a live booking system that will assign you the relevant craft and resources. Once you have confirmed your booking date, it is not then transferable and non-refundable in the same way you book an airline seat. Bookings are to be paid in full at the time of booking and are non-refundable. There will be no refunds for early returns, poor weather, or non-usage as per our general terms & conditions.

Location

Kempston Outdoor Centre, park at the Mill Car Park and on the River Nene

Gold Duke of Edinburgh DofE Expeditions

Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions with a difference, from canoeing in the Midlands to Scottish rivers and the Great Glen or why not contact us for a Yukon Wilderness trip.

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