Which way now? DofE Navigation Day

St Mary’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award adventurers were out in force in Fordham on 18 March, putting into practice the skills they have been learning in their navigation sessions at school.

“The girls experienced what it felt like to walk with laden rucksacks to complete navigation tasks in the fields around Fordham,” said Mrs Wallace, who was helping to oversee the preparation and training of the Duke of Edinburgh teams. “They had to navigate using maps and compasses and to estimate and finalise distances and timings.  I was really pleased to see how well they coped with everything and worked together to achieve the tasks.”

This real experience ‘in the field’ brought to life the importance of the training they received in school about the best methods for pitching and striking their tents, putting together trangia stoves, and packing all the extra kit needed for successful expeditions.