While preparing for the first Silver Award expedition of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, we tenth-graders experienced a number of ups and downs. Determining our route, establishing our time schedule, and planning our meals – in short, everything – was a little more complicated that we had expected.

During the expedition itself, though, we were rewarded with three days of bright sunshine. In fact, more than one person returned with a case of sunburn. And, furthermore, this first trial expedition taught many groups what they could improve on for the next expeditions, whether it was to bring along flashlights or to eat more throughout the day. Our food rations were a hotly debated topic among all the groups, since most of us had simply not packed enough to eat. But what made the expedition all the nicer, was taking a short break from school and from social media.  Fresh air and time together with our friends for a whole weekend helped us forget all the stress of exams week.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we didn’t pitch tents on our own at different farms, but instead we camped all together. Our first night was spent at a campground in Salem, and the second night on the sports pitch in Spetzgart. Even though it was great to be part of such a large group, I am excited to see how we will manage things next time alone in our own small group. All in all, the weekend was a success, so I am looking forward to the two upcoming expeditions, and not just because then, hopefully, the nights will be a little warmer.

Fee Schreiter, 10D2