The volunteering aspect brought a great sense of achievement from helping those with a lesser skillset, and sharing my own knowledge to aid the development of young children. Drawing on my own experience, volunteering gave me an important role as I was an alternative figure from whom children could seek help.
Furthermore, the expedition was memorable in many ways: learning new skills, spending time and having fun with friends, overcoming challenges that were deemed impossible. Personally, I deeply enjoyed the expedition as it provided a peaceful break from daily life, and I could appreciate the beauty of the natural world whilst exploring new places I hadn't previously visited. The most memorable moments included trampling through a field full of cows and finding ourselves walking in circles after misreading the map! The Duke of Edinburgh Award has given me a greater confidence in myself and made me realise the potential I hold in achieving new things, ultimately from teamwork and collaboration. It is a fantastic experience to take part in and I'm so grateful for all of the opportunities it provided.