I have so many great memories from my participation in the Bronze, Silver and Gold D of E. We had 2 amazing teachers that took us everywhere and gave us support with a lot of freedom to grow as individuals. I was extremely shy and the D of E made me the person I am today. Without it I would be who I am.
The expeditions were always an adventure from the time we planned the meals to the time we returned home. I remember camping in the snow in 3 man tents, and the boys being more resourceful plus better at the cooking with a single burner gas stove. My best friend losing her brother's ex-girlfriend's diamond ring in the tent at night and it took all night as we emptied everything out, using torches to find it. The hikes where we thought we were not going to make the time set meeting points, therefore did not stop for lunch, instead ate a mars bar to keep us going. There was a time we were hiking up hill and had to climb up a tricky rock face and I am terrified of heights. I couldn't move so my best friend Alison said she would help, however she found that she was scared too of heights and we were both stuck frozen for a time before we built the courage to overcome our fears and make it to the top. This was all with our fully laden ruck sacks.
On the Gold D of E final expedition we travelled to the Isle of Arran. A desolate island back in 1984. It was rainy and grey most of the time. The 4 girls group which was 4 of us had planned our hikes and we had to make all the meeting points on time. We set out one day and the weather was bad. Up on the top I remember the terrain being mainly rocks. We got totally disorientated and were convinced the map we were in the wrong place. It was getting dark, we listened to each other made a plan and were able to get down from there safely, not having to wait for emergency services.
I got into Addenbrooke's school of nursing, travelled to the USA, got my BSN and MSN and work as a manager clinical manager plus professor. Thanks to D of E.