DofE Residential programmes delivered by qualified guides

Claiming that the Duke of Edinburgh's Award provides participants with a life-changing experience is perhaps an understatement. Separated by award categories of Bronze, Silver and Gold, a Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) programme challenges young people aged between 16 and 24 to experience the most of life.

Completing a DofE programme, however, is by no means a walk in the park; participants are expected to attain various achievements en route to receiving their awards. In order to obtain the prestigious Gold Award, participants must complete an additional section known as the 'Residential' – a five-day, four-night shared activity in a residential setting away from home.

Here at Sam Sykes™, we have devised a specialist DofE programme designed to help young people achieve the coveted Gold Award. Our Residential programme consists of a work-experience-style trip to South Lakes Wild Animal Park and a stay at the Ulverston Walkers Hostel which is run by staff who truly understand the DofE ethos. Combining considerable expertise with a commitment to the safety and personal development of participants, we are perfectly positioned to help ensure the trouble-free completion of this core DofE component. Details of the Residential programme are outlined below.

The Sam Sykes™ Residential Course: Where, When, What and How Where

The Residential course is staged in the beautiful South Lakes area of Cumbria, North West England. Participants travel to the South Lakes Wild Animal Park in Dalton-in-Furness and stay at the nearby Ulverston Walkers Hostel on Oubas Hill in Ulverston, which is located in proximity to Windermere, Coniston, Great Gable and other outstanding areas of natural beauty. As part of the programme, participants will also visit the superb Lakeland Climbing Centre in Kendal.

When

In 2012, the Residential course is scheduled to take place between Sunday 1st July and Friday 6th July. As mentioned above, the DofE programme requires participants to spend five days and four nights on the Residential course.

What

The Sam Sykes™ Residential course not only aims to steer participants towards achieving the DofE Gold Award, but also serves to nurture important life skills and attributes. In order to achieve this, we have compiled a comprehensive programme that is designed to encourage and educate participants in equal measure.

This year, the Residential course has been structured around a five-day working trip to South Lakes Wild Animal Park, where participants will enjoy the unique opportunity to work alongside staff and animals. No two days at the park will be exactly the same, but a typical week is likely to include the following routine:

• 08:00 start and 17:30 finish, with three breaks throughout the day including lunch.
• Between 08:00 and 10:00, the main group will be divided into smaller teams and allocated to keepers. Participants are afforded the opportunity to 'shadow' their respective keepers, working closely with animals.
• Each day, participants will assist keepers with a major job, such as working in the giraffe house preparing food or helping the animals to sleep.
• Indoor and outdoor activities will be completed throughout the week depending on weather conditions.
• In July, activities at the park may include painting the lion and rhino houses, maintaining walkways and posts and cleaning the aviary walkway, lemur house and animal enclosure pools.
• Park staff will also host an evening event to discuss conservation work.

Participants will stay at the Ulverston Walkers Hostel; run by a DofE assessor, and staffed by a qualified team, it's the perfect location for this part of the Award. Guests will be expected to contribute towards the running of the hostel by preparing meals and carrying out chores such as sweeping and washing up; notwithstanding this, the hostel offers a fully catered service, with breakfast, packed lunch and dinner provided. Participants will travel to and from South Lakes Wild Animal Park via private coach hire. Smoking and drinking are strictly prohibited at the hostel.

Additional activities on the Residential course will be chosen from the following: a mountain rescue talk, quiz night, evening work at the animal park, trip to the Lakeland Climbing Centre, beach party and barbecue. Other activities are available, and can be chosen according to the weather and how the group feels at the time. A sample week might feature quiz night on Monday, a trip to the climbing wall on Tuesday, zoo night on Wednesday, and a barbecue - either at the beach or the hostel - on Thursday, but this is of course subject to change.

A member of the Sam Sykes™ team is present with the group for the duration of the course.

How

Each group taking part in the Sam Sykes™ Residential course consists of no more than 20 participants. Places cost £500 + vat per person and can be reserved by contacting Sam Sykes on 015394 43157 or by e-mail at info@samsykesltd.co.uk.