County Gold Expedition 2027

14 August 2026

Wild Country Gold Expedition Programme (Dartmoor & Brecon Beacons)

Open to:

• Explorer Scouts aged 16+ at the time of the practice expedition
• Scout Network members

Completing this programme will qualify you for both the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition and the King’s Scout Award expedition.

Training Requirements

  • Participants should be at Silver-level training.
  • If you have only completed Bronze — or have not completed any expeditions — please let us know. We can help you gain the necessary experience before the Wild Country programme. We will also take into account any other walking or expedition experience you have.

Training & Practice Expedition

Tuesday 6 April – Saturday 10 April 2027
Location: Okehampton, Dartmoor

Cost: £170

What’s Included

  • Transport from Winchester, group kit hire, campsite/indoor accommodation, and food during training days.

Programme Overview

  • Day 1 – Travel & Skills Refresh
    Travel by minibus from Winchester to Okehampton Scout HQ (arrive lunchtime).
    Afternoon revision of online training, cooking evening meal on stoves, followed by a night navigation exercise.
  • Day 2 – Wild Country Training
    Full day of Dartmoor wild country training, afternoon navigation, and planning your qualifying expedition.
  • Days 3–5 – Practice Expedition
    Three‑day practice expedition across North Dartmoor, including two wild camps.
    Return to Winchester around 7pm on Day 5.

Food

Food is provided for the training days.
You must organise your own food for the practice expedition.

Qualifying Expedition

Thursday 26 August – Monday 30 August 2027
Location: Brecon Beacons, starting at Glyntawe Outdoor Centre

Cost £180

What’s Included

Transport from Winchester, group kit hire, campsite fees, hostel accommodation, and food during acclimatisation.

Programme Overview

  • Day 1 – Travel & Acclimatisation
    Travel by minibus to Glyntawe Outdoor Centre (arrive lunchtime).
    Navigation refreshers, training recaps, meeting your assessor, and reviewing your route and project.
    Evening fish and chips followed by an overnight stay at the Outdoor Centre.
  • Days 2–5 – Qualifying Expedition
    Four‑day qualifying expedition across the Brecon Beacons.
    All campsites are pre‑arranged and paid for.

Food

Food is provided for the acclimatisation day.
You must organise your own food for the qualifying expedition.

Financial Support

Hampshire Scouts can provide support for participants experiencing financial difficulties and we can apply a discount of up to 50% depending on circumstances

Booking: