The 2026 expedition season is approaching.

The DofE now expects Licensed Organisations (LOs), in our case Scouts NI, to run the expedition approval process ourselves and to issue our own expedition approval numbers.

Scouts NI has a form for expedition approvals – Appendix 1.  This has incorporated DofE rules and most Scout rules.  We hope this is straight forward to use.

There are 4 items of paperwork that you must submit to Scouts NI in order for your expedition to be given approval to proceed.

1. Appendix 1 – DofE Expedition Notification Form (Jan 2025 v1 version).
2. Appendix 2 – Expedition Route Card & Team Goal Activity Plan (v2 Jan 2024)
3. Appendix 3 – Expedition Supervision Plan (Feb 2026 v1 version)
4. Maps marked with the route of your expedition – route tracings.

Download the Forms at the links below

Please use these versions of the paperwork and delete any old versions that you might have.

You are required to submit the 4 items of paperwork to Scouts NI for approval for unaccompanied Practice Expeditions at Silver and Gold level and for Qualifying Expeditions at Bronze, Silver and Gold level. These should be submitted at least 4 weeks before the expedition start date

Here is a reminder of a few ‘Scout’ related things – 

• Do read again the Scout Rules for Adventurous Activities.  These change regularly. Particularly read the information on activities in Terrain 0 – you will note that there is not much difference in the requirements for Terrain 0 activities as in other Terrains.

https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/general-activity-guidance/hillwalking/terrain-zero-activities

We recommend that you use Page 2 of the Scouts’ Route Card as your Emergency Card.

https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance/route-plan

• The Safe Scouting Code of Practice has been updated see the information at this weblink:

https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safe-scouting-cards/safe-scouting-and-emergency-procedures

• Ensure that your Leaders/Supervisors’ Scout Permits, including nights away permits, are not out of date if you need a Permit for your adventure.

• Ensure that your Leaders/Supervisors have completed their Mandatory Scout Training – Growing Roots.

https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/learning-development-and-awards/learning

• You absolutely must have at least one Leader/Supervisor supervising your adventure who holds a valid First Aid certificate.  First Response is ok for Terrain 0 and Terrain 1 activities.

• Remember that all DofE expedition assessors need to be registered with Scouts NI before they can assess a Scout DofE expedition.  If you are thinking of using an assessor not on our Scout list then start the registration process for them now.

See the information on the Steps to Becoming a DofE Accredited Assessor and Form for completion here:

• A new Yellow Card – ‘Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults’ was issued in January 2024

https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safe-scouting-cards/young-people-first-yellow-card

We hope that you take the opportunity over the spring and summer to get out and about again with your young people.  Good luck and thank you for all that you do for Scouts NI and DofE.

The learning platform for all DofE adult volunteers is available at this link:

https://www.dofe.org/learning