Gold Award

Welcome to the peak of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award for the Adventurous Journey component! 

At Gold level, we seek to foster a true love of the bush and to build a solid level of outdoor knowledge, so you can continue exploring everything Aotearoa New Zealand, and the rest that world has to offer throughout your life! 

As part of the Gold Adventurous Journey, you and your peer will plan an exciting Gold Qualifying Expedition in it’s entirety, challenging yourselves to consider the biggest, and perhaps, wildest journey you’ve ever been on!

planning day

With the guidance of a Bigfoot Instructor, the team will piece together their proposed adventure, from start to finish. All elements of the expedition planning and implementation will be led by you and your peers, with the Bigfoot DOE Programme Manager or a Senior instructor there to shadow and ensure that the team is making sound decisions. This day is vital to the completion of your Gold Adventurous Journey aspect.

Duration: 1 half/full day

The cost of the Gold Planning day is included in your Gold Qualifying journey. 

TRAINING & practice

We have combined both Training & Practice into a 2-day activity away in the outdoors, where we blend theory with facilitation of hands-on activities that align with the course syllabus.

During the training, you’ll learn about:

  • Extended Leadership and Group Management strategies.
  • The historical or cultural significance of the area you are in.
  • Advanced Navigation and Communications for sea & land which includes map & compass work, phonetic alphabet, signals to sea/air for rescue, marine and TOPO map use.
  •  Interpreting and acting on weather conditions.
  • Meal planning for your trip, with nutritious and sustainable meals (both cooked and uncooked),
  • Site Management Plans and Risk Assessment.
  • Environmental Care Code, identifying good and bad behaviour.

The Practice Component involves;

An opportunity in the outdoors to put your experience from your Bronze Level and Silver Awards into action with your peers.

Requirements include advanced map reading & compass work, sharing about flora/fauna and history/cultural points about the area, navigating your group successfully for 2-3hrs, knowing where you are on a map at any time, leadership & group management, preparing nutritious and sustaining meals, conducting yourself confidently, being prepared by having the right equipment for your journey and behaving positively at camp and on the trail.

Bigfoot’s Gold Training & Practice satisfies the requirements for all three modes of journeying (Tramping, Sea Kayaking & Mountain Biking).

To be eligible, you must have completed your Bronze & Silver Level Awards.

Locations include: Waitakeres or Kaimai Ranges (Tramping), Mahurangi Harbour or Te Ara Moana (Sea Kayaking), Whanganui River (Canoeing) and Taupo/Rotorua (Mountain Biking).

Note: Other locations available on request

 

Instructor demonstrating sea kayak paddle strokes in front of feature
Two student participants jump in front of Mount Taranaki

qualifying Journey

Exceed your own expectations and jump right in! This adventure is here for the taking! Here at Bigfoot Adventures, we say ‘Go Big or Go Home!’ on the journey that is your last adventure with us in the Award process!

Public Gold Qualifier Journeys start at $570 per person and include; 

  • Planning day
  • Up to 4 hours travel out of Auckland CBD in a passenger service licenced minivan, driven by one of our Passenger-Endorsed Senior Instructors who will facilitate the journey.
  • One night minimum in a Serviced DOC hut
  • 2 nights in camping accommodation.

Journey duration: 5 days, 4 nights

Locations include: Waitakeres or Kaimai Ranges (Tramping), Mahurangi Harbour or Te Ara Moana (Sea Kayaking, Whanganui River (Canoeing) and Taupo/Rotorua (Mountain Biking).

Any journeys planned by the group that exceed these minimum costs covered, may result in additional costs payable after the planning day.

 

Gold Qualifying Journey Highlight
Lake Waikaremoana

“A truly valuable experience in the outdoors that will be forever treasured.” 

Sanjit 

 Lake Waikaremoana Gold Journey Participant

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