Exeter School takes to the water
Exeter School is delighted to announce an exciting development in its participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
As of September, pupils will be able to carry out their Gold Award expedition by sea kayak.
Duke of Edinburgh Manager Mark Schramm said sea kayaking would provide an alternative to the usual walking expeditions.
"This will involve canoe and kayak training at Haven Banks, a practice expedition on the Devon or Cornwall coast and a qualifying expedition in the Isle of Skye area," he said.
"As part of the training, the participants will be working towards the British Canoeing 2 star Kayak and Canoeing Award.
"Sea kayaking is adventurous and the only way you can access some of the wild areas of the UK and reach places you cannot by foot. There will be no footpaths to follow so pupils will be camping wild on beaches."
One of the largest direct licence centres in the South West, there are currently 150 pupils signed up to participate in the Bronze, Silver and Gold schemes at Exeter School. In the last year, 44 awards were made - 24 Bronze, 14 Silver and 6 Gold.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is an optional activity run on Friday afternoons at Exeter School. Pupils volunteer, carry out a practice and actual expedition, learn a new skill and undertake a physical activity in order to pass the awards. Expedition locations ranged from Woodbury Common and Haldon Forest for the Bronze Award to Exmoor for the Silver and the Brecon Beacons for the Gold.
Typical volunteering work includes instructing younger pupils within Exeter School's Combined Cadet Force Contingent, helping at a local charity shop or being a friendly face to talk to in a nursing home. However the opportunities for volunteering are numerous and all pupils find something which suits their own skillset. Other examples includes helping at the local library and conservation work on Dartmoor.
Mark said the Award had genuine meaning for employers.
"There is a quality and consistency to a Duke of Edinburgh Award that surpasses anything a young person can put on their CV," he said.
"It is very hard work to achieve a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and I am delighted that we currently have 50 members of the Sixth Form who are aiming to achieve it."
