I remember when I so nearly didn't sign up for gold DofE, because silver had been a challenge to say the least! I don't know what convinced me, maybe the friendships that the expedition harbours, but I did eventually sign up, despite my reservations. We managed to get a group together, even during Covid, although not with the friends originally planned. These were people that I knew less well, but I was still excited to embark on the expedition with them. I remember how scared I was just before, and even on the first night, when we arrived at the campsite in the dark, and the pouring rain, when all of our kit was wet through and we had to sit mid-October in the freezing cold cooking dinner. I was certain at that point that I couldn't complete it. But DofE is amazing like that; it challenges you physically and mentally, and allows you to push your boundaries more than you would assume your are capable of. And the best bit by far is the friendships it creates. There is nothing like spending 4 days with people just constantly talking about anything and everything. Teamwork definitely does make the dream work on DofE, which is completely reliant on the friendships you build. I am so glad that I took part in gold DofE! Despite challenges, the memories I hold are only positive, and it is definitely one of the best bits of sixth form.