Surrey’s Award Expeditions

Adventure. Independence. Skills for Life

We run expedition programmes for Scouts, Explorers and Network. From 2 day Bronzes to 4 day Golds and King’s Scouts Award expeditions. You’ll train, plan, and head out on real adventures in wild places. You’ll build skills, grow your confidence, and have a great time with friends.

Scouts say their award expeditions are a real highlight of their time in Scouting. They love choosing their own routes, being in a team of Scouts, camping in the wild, being independent and having the responsibility that comes with that. They really appreciate the help they get during planning and the support from the leaders team during their expedition.

Gold expeditions. King’s Scout / Gold DofE

Ready for the big one? Our Gold expeditions go to Dartmoor, the Peak District, Snowdonia and the Lake District. You’ll push yourself further, explore wilder landscapes, and work together as a team.

2026 Gold programme

• Training weekend. Bentley Copse. 20 to 22 February
• Practice. Dartmoor. 7 to 12 April
• Qualifying. Eryri / Snowdonia. 11 to 16 August

2027 Gold programme

• Training weekend. Bentley Copse. 19 to 21 February
• Practice. Peak District. 6 to 11 April
• Qualifying. Lake District. 21 to 26 August

Our Gold expeditions are open to Explorers and Network Scouts aged 16+ (by April of their expedition year). If you don’t yet have a full team, we can help you link up with other Scouts. You can even join just for a Practice or Qualifying expedition if that’s what you need. Next year’s expeditions are expected to include training and assessment for the UK’s National Navigation Awards.

Costs  £585 for the full 2026 Gold programme (training weekend and two expeditions). £615 for the full 2027 Gold programme. Single Gold expedition £250–£305 depending on date and location.

Silver expeditions. Chief Scout’s Diamond / Silver DofE

Step up to a Silver expedition. More adventurous than Bronze, and going further afield. Or go large and to take on the Silver Challenge.

2025 / 2026 Silver programme

• Initial Training and Practice. South Downs. 30 October to 2 November
• Training weekend. Bentley Copse. 20 to 22 February
• Qualifying. Dartmoor. 7 to 11 April

2026 Silver Challenge programme

• Training weekend. Bentley Copse. 20 to 22 February
• Practice. Dartmoor. 7 to 11 April
• Qualifying. Eryri / Snowdonia. 11 to 15 August

Our Silver expeditions are open to Explorers and Network Scouts either aged 15+ or who’ve already completed Bronze. The Silver Challenge programme offers bigger adventures, larger views and wilder country.

Costs  £385 for the Silver programme. £525 for the Silver Challenge programme.

Bronze expeditions. Chief Scout’s Gold and Platinum / Bronze DofE

Bronze level expeditions are 2 days and 1 night. You’ll camp, cook, and navigate your way through the Surrey Hills with your team. You’ll come back ready for more.

2025 and 2026 Bronze expeditions

• 20 and 21 September
• 28 February and 1 March, 2026
• 6 and 7 June

Our Bronze level expeditions are for teams of older Scouts carrying out their Expedition Challenge (Chief Scout’s Gold), or for teams of Explorers carrying out Chief Scout’s Platinum and Bronze DofE expeditions.

Costs  £35 for a Bronze expedition

FAQs

Teams  Most teams are 5 or 6 people. Teams can be 4 to 7 people. At Gold, we can help you find a team. At Silver, we may be able to help you find team members. At Bronze, we only accept complete teams. In all cases, talk to your Scout Leader or Explorer Leader to help you form a team

Planning and training  You’ll plan your expedition in full. You’ll set your aim, plan your routes, menus and kit. You and your team will be responsible for your expedition. You’ll do expedition skills training as part of your programme with your Group or Unit.  We provide specific navigation, campcraft, safety and other training as part of our expedition programmes.

Costs and kit  Your expedition fee includes training, supervision, assessment, camping fees and transport (for Silver and Gold). You provide your own food and personal kit including boots and waterproofs. Your Group or Unit should provide the tents, stoves and other group equipment you need. We may be able to help you with kit or costs if either of them is a barrier.

Membership and first aid  You must be a member of Scouts. Gold and Silver teams need at least two members with a Scouts First Response first aid qualification. We run first aid courses to help with this.

DBS, safety and safeguarding  All adults including Network Scouts must have up to date safety and safeguarding training recorded on the membership system and have a satisfactory criminal record check.

Ready to get started? Registrations open 12 months ahead of an expedition and usually close 3 months before.  Email us on WesternWatch@surrey-scouts.org.uk