DofE Canoeing Expeditions for Schools

We love creating inspirational DofE canoe expeditions for our clients and their students. Bronze, Silver or Gold we will work with you to create an expedition programme that is right for your groups.

On an A to Z Expeditions DofE Canoe programme, your students can explore some of the UK’s most beautiful waterways. They can navigate the River Thames, the River Great Ouse or the River Wye, traverse Loch Ericht or journey through the Great Glen. Along the way, they will learn the technicalities of paddling, portaging, curl rescues, negotiating locks and even rafting canoes as they move through the different Award levels. No previous canoe experience is required and they may even gain their BCU 1 Star Award along the way.

“The expedition was fantastic. The students gained a lot from the weekend”

Fantastic for our studentsSchool DofE Manager

“They have the participant at the centre of their customer relations”

About A to Z ExpeditionsSchool DofE Co-ordinator

“The expeditions ran impeccably smoothly thanks to your incredible planning beforehand, plus the instructors’ efforts over the weekend”

Excellent PlanningA happy teacher

‘Instructors allowed us to be as involved as we wanted on both expeditions which was great. Lovely people too and I would like to work with them again.’

Fantastic, understanding InstructorsTeacher & DofE Co-ordinator
  • BRONZE CANOE – 6 Days
  • 1 day pre-expedition training
  • 3 day practice expedition
  • 2 day qualifying expedition
  • /
  • £420 pp
  • SILVER CANOE – 8 Days
  • 1 day pre-expedition training
  • 4 day practice expedition
  • 3 day qualifying expedition
  • /
  • £560 pp
  • GOLD CANOE – 11 Days
  • 1 day pre-expedition training
  • 5 day practice expedition
  • 5 day qualifying expedition
  • £770 pp

Design your Programme

These are examples of the programmes that we can offer, however we will work with you to design a programme that meets the needs of your group and students.

Cost & Payment

All canoe training and expeditions cost £70 per person, per day (minimum 10 participants). Our simple pricing policy makes it easy for you to manage costs. Plus you pay in two instalments – spreading the payments out.

Gain your BCU 1 Star Award

Participants may also have an opportunity to gain their BCU 1 star award during their practice expedition, contact us for more information about this.

DofE Awards

We offer Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions in Canoeing.

Find out more about the DofE Awards

What we include

DofE Expedition presentation at your school to introduce the expedition section. We recommend inviting parents to this presentation, giving them an opportunity to meet us and ask initial questions. Simply let us know your preferred date.

A full time expedition programme manager. Based at A to Z Expeditions HQ, they will provide you with continuing support throughout your expedition programme. Your questions answered quickly!

Comprehensive pre-expedition paperwork pack for participants and parents, including consent forms, kit lists etc.

Assistance with expedition paperwork. We will complete operating authority notifications, green forms and risk assessments.

High quality training, delivered at your school – we employ experienced instructors, the majority of whom hold a minimum of a summer mountain leader qualification. They all hold the relevant first aid qualifications and are DBS checked. All instructors are vetted and trained by us before working on expeditions.

Parents Q&A at the end of training – let us answer their questions for you.

Training materials and helpful handouts for participants.

Group kit for expeditions – tents, stoves (with gas), group first aid kits, group shelters and maps.

All supervision and developmental training throughout the programme (during the day and overnight). Our goal is to help young people develop their personal and practical skills as much as possible during their time with us, both as individuals and as part of their team. Our expeditions are about much more than ticking a box.

Accredited assessors for the qualifying expedition.

1 free pupil premium place for every 20 paying participants.

Campsite fees for participants.

Group Kit

We provide the following essential group kit free of charge:

Tents

Stoves, pans and fuel

Group shelters

First aid kits

Maps

Canoes

Paddles

Buoyancy Aids

Helmets

Barrels

1 portage, dry bag for every participant – yours to keep after the expeditions

Fantastic locations

We have some favourite waterways where we love to run expeditions and you can see more about them on our Locations Page.

But if there is a particular waterway you love and would like to use, please let us know and we will investigate it for you.

More school expeditions

Like what you have read so far?

If you have any questions or would like more information before booking, please get in touch.

Call: 01981 550 433
Email: info@azexpeditions.com

Or, you can Book your School Expedition by completing our simple booking form. You will not be required to pay anything at this initial stage, and a member of our team will contact you shortly.