Eighteen Year 8 students from Nambucca Heads High School have taken up the challenge of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

This scheme runs around the world and helps young people experience adventure, challenge and a range of new skills.

Students complete four components in each level (Bronze, Silver and Gold) and have the opportunity to gain recognition for their participation in a service activity which may benefit the local community, a sports skill, a hobby and an adventure.

The Nambucca students are taking part in the Bronze level and the adventure experience is run as an expedition and is fully supervised by experienced teachers from the school.

This year, the adventure will be an overnight bushwalking trip and in the future they will offer canoeing overnight trips as well.

The Bronze group has been meeting each Wednesday during sport to prepare for their expedition.

They have been learning about first aid, minimal impact, lightweight camping, setting up tents, cooking on a lightweight portable trangia stove, navigation and working together.

Teachers, Steve Steward and Alison Nowland are calling for community assistance to help these students achieve their goals.

Although the group are working towards purchasing some items, at present they need kayaks, canoes, small lightweight tents, and backpacks for the expedition, so if you know of any of this equipment which may be for sale or hire in the local community or even donated, please contact Steve Steward in the TAS faculty at Nambucca Heads High School.