Rochdale Sixth Form students brave arctic conditions for Duke of Edinburgh navigation training

Rochdale Sixth Form students brave arctic conditions for Duke of Edinburgh navigation training

Students from Rochdale Sixth Form College braved the elements at weekend (11 and 12 February) for their Duke of Edinburgh navigation training.

The weekend was led by Jamshed Miah and Diane Higgins from Rochdale Youth Service who take a lead on the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Rochdale.

Jamshed and Diane stayed with the 18 students at the Castleshaw Centre in Delph, where they walked the local footpaths for approximately four hours each day, using the surrounding snowy hills and countryside to navigate.

The exercise comes as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which will see the students complete four-day expeditions later this year in the Yorkshire Dales.

Both the terrain and the weather conditions were unfamiliar to some of the students, but they adapted well to the conditions, showing real determination as they each led sections of the walks. Temperatures over the two-day period ranged from minus three degrees to just three degrees celsius with wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour.

DofE Manager Diane said: “It was a real test for the young people, two days away from home and out of their comfort zone, it this weekend when most student realise how challenging doing the Gold DofE is, but also how worthwhile it is. The young people took part in activities that will encourage them to develop teamwork and leadership skills.”

One of the students commented: “It was hard work, but fun at the same time; I feel more confident navigating outside. I think spending the two days with the people I will do my expedition with has helped us to bond as a team so we will be able to rely on each other more.”

Rochdale Youth Service is starting expedition training for young people who want to do their gold or silver award on 1 March at Open Award Centre, Matthew Moss Youth Centre, Matthew Moss Lane, Rochdale, 6.30 pm. Just turn up to find out more or email youth.service@rochdale.gov.uk