DOE Gold Expedition, all you need to know

By Viola Spada & Sabine Bos

Edited by Sabine Bos

This year’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award trip took an unexpected turn as students ventured to Mallorca for an eight-day expedition. Unlike the typical UK-based hikes, the Mediterranean setting offered a unique blend of nature, culture, and comfort. To find out more about what the experience was really like for candidates we interviewed Konrad Himmelreich (11th grader). 

Participants enjoyed scenic trails, sunny weather, and the rare chance to dine in restaurants, relax on beaches, and even stay in hotels. According to Konrad, the highlight was the location itself: “We were fortunate with the weather, which allowed us to embrace the scenery and appreciate the environment.”

While the terrain was not overly demanding, the biggest challenge for him and his group came from maintaining teamwork and morale during long days of navigation. Working only within their assigned groups, students had to rely on their own collaboration and resilience. Concerns about navigating with maps and compasses were eased thanks to support from DOE supervisors.

Konrad recommends the trip to anyone considering it: “It’s a great experience and it felt like a vacation. I got to spend a lot of time with my friends and I enjoyed it a lot.” His advice to future participants? Pack light, but bring extra clothes suitable for evenings out.

The Mallorca expedition proved that DOE Gold can be both a challenge and a chance to unwind in an extraordinary setting.