On 28 February, our Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award participants headed to the mountains for a day of Adventurous Journey training, building the skills and confidence they will need for their qualifying expedition next term.
The morning took place in Ile Alatau National Park, where pupils worked on navigation, teamwork and team goals in cold and overcast conditions. Despite the weather, each group approached the training with determination and positivity, taking part enthusiastically in every activity. As part of the experience, they also cooked themselves a well-earned lunch using camping stoves.
During the training, pupils practised map and compass navigation, route planning and checkpoint verification without relying on phones. They also measured personal pacing over 100 metres to improve the accuracy of distance estimation — an important expedition skill in mountainous terrain.
In the afternoon, the groups returned to Haileybury Almaty to continue developing their expedition skills. This included writing route cards, erecting and dismantling tents, and beginning to plan for their actual Adventurous Journeys, which they will complete next term.
One participant reflected on the day by noting the range of practical skills developed, including navigation precision, time management, outdoor safety awareness, gas stove cooking, efficient tent pitching and team coordination under time constraints.
The training provided an excellent foundation for the next stage of the Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and was a clear example of pupils demonstrating resilience, independence and teamwork beyond the classroom.
