Duke of Edinburgh Canoe Expeditions

Bronze, Silver & Gold D of E on the River Severn

Bear Creek Adventures specialises in Duke of Edinburgh canoe expeditions on the River Severn, delivering Bronze, Silver and Gold programmes for schools and youth groups.

Based near Bridgnorth, we combine over 40 years of canoeing experience with deep, day-to-day local knowledge of the River Severn. Our canoe expeditions are carefully structured, professionally delivered and designed to help students succeed, safely and confidently.

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Join one of our DofE Events happening in 2026

We invite you to join our free Emergency First Aid Course and Free Canoe trip, available for DofE teachers. Please call us on 01384 929078 or email monty@bearcreekadventures.co.uk if you have any questions.

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Free First Aid Course for DofE Teachers

Emergency First Aid at Work for Teachers

Date: 11th May 2026

Location: Alveley Village Hall, Alveley

Price: FREE for DofE Teachers

Summary

Our Emergency First Aid at Work course for teachers provides practical, confidence-building training suitable for all experience levels. Participants learn how to assess emergencies, deliver CPR and use an AED, manage choking, asthma and anaphylaxis, and respond to injuries and medical conditions affecting adults and children. Training is hands-on and scenario-based, with certification recognised for workplace and educational settings.

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Free DofE Teacher Canoe Trip - River Severn

Introduction to our Canoeing DofE Expeditions

Date: 8th June 2026

Location: Starts at Severn Park, Bridgnorth

Price: Complimentary trip

Summary

Our free canoe familiarisation trip gives DofE teachers the chance to experience canoeing on the River Severn and see how expeditions work in practice. Led by Monty, the trip runs from Bridgnorth to Arley, with time to ask questions or simply enjoy the scenery. All equipment, a hot drink and return travel on

the Severn Valley Railway

are included.

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Why Canoeing Works So Well for DofE

Canoeing is an outstanding expedition activity for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award:

Teams travel together, supporting each other throughout the journey
Loads are shared between boats, reducing individual carrying weight
Navigation develops naturally through river features and map work
The environment encourages calm decision-making and teamwork
Progression from Bronze to Gold is clear and confidence-building

When delivered by an experienced provider, canoeing on the River Severn is a safe, controlled, and highly rewarding expedition option.

Experience You Can Trust

All expeditions are overseen by Monty Beaumont, co-owner of Bear Creek Adventures and owner of River Severn Canoes.

Monty:

Is a former DofE Leader and school teacher at a leading independent school
Has delivered expeditions across the UK and internationally
Works on the River Severn daily during the season
Understands first-hand the realities of running DofE programmes in schools

This means our expeditions are designed with schools, staff workload and student wellbeing firmly in mind.

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Safety on the River Severn

The River Severn is a calm, non-technical river when used appropriately. Safety comes from experience, planning and local knowledge, all of which we provide.

We canoe this river every season
We monitor river levels and weather continuously
We adapt supervision levels to the group, conditions and award level
We are AALA licensed and fully insured with AIM (£10 million)

Our approach balances independence (as required by DofE) with appropriate safety oversight.

What All Levels Receive

All Bronze, Silver, and Gold expeditions receive the same high-quality core provision:

Canoes, paddles, buoyancy aids
60-litre dry bag per person
100-litre dry bag per canoe
All technical canoe equipment
Qualified, experienced staff
Safety supervisor and DofE assessor (based on a minimum group of 12)

We can also provide tents and cooking equipment if required, although Silver and Gold groups often prefer to use familiar kit.

Training Structure (All Levels)

Each level follows the same clear, supportive structure, with timings increasing as students progress.

Training Day 1 – Land-Based Skills

Delivered at your school or a nearby venue.

Covers:

First aid
River navigation
Camp craft
Cooking and food planning
Packing kit and weight management
Emergency procedure training

Training Day 2 – Water-Based Skills

Delivered at a suitable local water venue.

Introduction to canoeing

Basic paddling strokes
Trim and balance
Packing a canoe
What to do if you capsize
A short supervised canoe trip

👉 On both training days, students practise cooking a meal.
From experience, food planning is one of the biggest factors in expedition success.

Expedition Structure by Level

Bronze DofE Canoe Expedition

Practice Expedition: 2 days / 1 night
Qualifying Expedition: 2 days

Silver DofE Canoe Expedition

Practice Expedition: 2 days / 2 nights
Qualifying Expedition: 3 days / 2 nights

Gold DofE Canoe Expedition

Practice Expedition: 2 days / 2 nights
Qualifying Expedition: 4 days / 3 nights

Practice Expedition

During the practice expedition:

Students put their training into real use
Our staff provide close guidance and coaching
Skills are reinforced and confidence built
On the final day, teams plan their qualifying expedition route
Planning takes place at the end of the day after they have been canoeing

Qualifying Expedition

For the qualifying expedition:

Staff take a step back
Remote supervision is provided, as required by DofE
Safety cover is adjusted based on:
- Group competence
- River levels
- Weather conditions

This ensures independence without compromising safety.

What We Provide

Fully qualified and experienced expedition staff
Safety supervisor and assessor
All canoeing equipment
Dry bags (minimum 60L per person + 100L per canoe)
Optional tents and cooking equipment
AALA licence
£10 million public liability insurance
Delivery of training days
Practice and qualifying expeditions on the River Severn

What Schools Provide

Transport to and from venues
A member of school staff for pastoral support
- (They are welcome to canoe if they wish)
Personal clothing and sleeping equipment
Food for training and expeditions
Booking and payment for campsites on the qualifying expedition

Free Support for DofE Teachers

We also offer free canoe familiarisation trips for DofE teachers, giving staff the chance to:

Experience the River Severn by canoe
Understand how canoe expeditions work in practice
Ask questions and see routes first-hand

These sessions are popular and help schools plan with confidence.

👉 View Free Teacher Resources

Price & how to book

We keep pricing clear and simple:

£60 per student, per day

Covers training days, practice expedition, and qualifying expedition
Campsite fees for the qualifying expedition are paid directly by students, supporting ownership and responsibility

Bronze DofE Canoe Package (£360)

Includes two training days, followed by a two-day practice expedition and a two-day qualifying expedition.
Designed to introduce students to canoe expeditions in a structured and supportive way.

Gold Qualifying Expedition Only (£240)

For groups who have already completed appropriate training and practice.
Includes delivery and assessment of the four-day, three-night Gold qualifying expedition only.

Silver DofE Canoe
Package (£480)

Includes two training days, a two-day practice expedition, and a three-day, two-night qualifying expedition.
Builds confidence, navigation skills, and independence over longer periods on the river.

Gold DofE Canoe Package (£540)

Includes two training days, a two-day, two-night practice expedition, and a four-day, three-night qualifying expedition.
A full expedition programme suitable for students progressing to Gold level.

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