Halloween Mail Out

Curse of the Haunted Mail Out!
Welcome to this spooktacular, Halloween edition of your favourite DofE network update. We’ve so much interesting DofE information, it’s frightening! If you’re in a spooky mood, check out this Halloween flashmob video from our residential last year. Want to submit any items for inclusion in the next (non-spooky) mail out? Email Jack.Kirby@DofE.org. Bwahahahaha!

Eerie employment opportunity

Tower Hamlets are advertising for an Outdoor Education Manager. See here for full details or contact DofE Manager Colin Kirk on 0207 364 3177, 0207 364 0925 or at colin.kirk@towerhamlets.gov.uk for further information.

Chilling conference reminder

DofE Managers, remember the regional conference is on 10th December. Need more info? Contact your Operations Officer.

Terrifying training

Introduction to the DofE for Leaders provides staff with the information needed to be a successful DofE Leader or Coordinator and run DofE programmes within a centre. Friday 29th November 2013, 10am to 4pm, Twickenham Training Centre, £50. Contact Rob Clark: Robert.Clark@Richmond.gov.uk to book a place.

Click here to download our the programme of training delivered by the London Region over the next academic year.

Macabre marketplace

Being a DofE Leader or participant entitles you to a whole bunch of deals and offers from a number of our commercial partners, including HP computers, 3 mobile network and Halfords for bikes and cars. The offers are worth checking out and taking them up benefits the DofE too. Click here for the full range of offers.

Eek! Expedition advice

Highgate School are interested in finding out different ways of managing large groups of young people on expeditions (60+ young people on one trip). If you work with large numbers or know of other groups that do Highgate School (and us!) would love to know the different methods that are used. One example we have heard is splitting a Bronze expedition into 3 days, with half the groups starting on Friday, finishing Saturday with the second half starting on Saturday morning and finishing Sunday. Please send your examples to helen.gardiner@highgateschool.org.uk.

Furthermore:

Although the expedition season is pretty much over, please be aware that DofE groups should not be walking along the brideway at SP892 057 - SP886056 near Kings Ash Farm, Chesham Lane, Great Missenden Buckinghamshire. There is a need to contain a bacterial infection that affects some of the horses in the area and Kings Ash Farm are trying to prevent their horses from becoming infected. Please can all groups avoid this area for the next 8 weeks. The infection is not transferable to humans. This is not a Halloween joke!

Aaaargh! Award nominations

Do you have a young person that’s doing great voluntary work in their community? Or a Leader that’s going above and beyond? If so, then why not nominate them for a vInspired Award. See here for details.

Scary social media

For up to the minute updates, check out our Facebook and Twitter pages and stay tuned for a new competition. Are you on LinkedIn? If so, check out the Friends of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award group.

Blood-curdling branding tips

Looking to write about the DofE and want to make sure you’re using the correct terminology? Check out this useful list of common errors.

Creepy camping exemption certificate

After various suggestions from the DofE Network and Regional Offices, the DofE has requested and has been granted (by Natural England) a 5 year Camping Exemption Certificate for England (which will expire on the 16th October 2018). A Camping Exemption Certificate allows a recreational organisation to camp on land without a site licence or the need to apply for planning permission and should allow a number of ‘greenfield’ sites to offer camping to more DofE participants than before.

In legislative terms it means that:

“Under section 269 of the Public Health Act 1936 (“the 1936 Act”) the use of land as a campsite for more than 42 days consecutively or 60 days in total in any 12 consecutive months requires a site licence from the local authority. In addition, the use of land for tented camping for more than 28 days a year normally requires an express grant of planning permission. However members of recreational organisations which hold a camping exemption certificate issued under section 269 (6) of the 1936 Act can camp on land without a site licence and without the need to apply for planning permission.”

In practice however it means that holding the exemption certificate permits;

• The use of any land owned by the exempted organisation (or provided or used by them) to be used for tented camping without the need for a site licence from the local authority
• DofE participants (and adults) to put up tents on any site with the permission of the owner
• DofE participants (and adults) to use land for the purpose of recreation or instruction, and to erect or place tents on the land for those purposes.

For more information, email London@DofE.org.

And finally... frightening fundraising party

In spring 2014, we’ll be returning to the high seas to hold another fundraising boat party on the Thames. Stay tuned for more details in future updates!


Arrivederci!