It is essential that you let us know about any medical condition or injury when booking and that you also inform our staff at the start of your programme if your condition has changed. This information will remain completely confidential but is essential to allow us to tailor your programme to suit and to ensure the safety of other group members.

A DofE Expedition is strenuous, and you should be prepared physically for multiple days with between 6-8 hours of walking per day, depending on the level of award you are undertaking. Failure to train will mean the expedition may feel harder than is needed.

Yes, all watersport participants wear buoyancy aids. If anyone has difficulty with swimming 50m unaided, we do ask to be told this in advance so that our instructors can be made aware and can offer that person additional supervision and support.

No previous experience is necessary. All our staff are fully qualified through UK National Governing Bodies and they will be able to make sure everyone can take part while having loads of fun!

Yes, all staff working with young people hold a DBS Enhanced check (Disclosure Barring Service). In addition, they subscribe to the DBS update scheme. Copies can be requested.

We are supported by many LEA's across the country who trust in our standards of operation. We work with hundreds of young people each year. We are licensed by AALS and follow national professional standards, as well as being DofE AAP. Visit our Safety and Accreditation page for more information.

Of course! We would actively encourage you to pay us a visit. The best time to visit is whilst we have a programme taking place. This is so we can show you what our incredible DofE expeditions are all about. One of the Programme Coordinators would be pleased to escort you around the facilities, view any accommodation and expedition venues. We'd be eager to answer any questions you may have regarding any aspect of your trip.

We require a minimum of one member of visiting staff per expedition who will be responsible for welfare and pastoral requirements. These accompanying staff will travel free of charge (on a 1:2 teams ratio). Any additional staff will receive a discounted rate to cover any associated costs. We actively encourage visiting staff to take an active role in the expedition where possible.

No previous experience is necessary. All our staff are fully qualified through UK National Governing Bodies and they will be able to make sure everyone is learning while having loads of fun!

Travel to and from your expedition venue is not included. Schools and groups will need to arrange for minibuses or coaches, which ideally would stay in the area for the duration of the expedition. Please discuss requirements with us.

On arrival in camp, and the teams have cooked safely, our instructional staff will begin to stand down for the night. Responsibility will be handed back to the accompanying visiting staff who will supervise teams over night, and will take care of any pastoral issues should they arise. The Adventure Element staff are on call 24 hours should they be needed to assist with safety issues.

All of our challenge events assume you will have a certain level of fitness; The key is choosing the challenge that is right for your level, or ensure you have trained appropriately. Our challenge events guide and pre-event training plan, will help you to understand the level of fitness and technical ability needed. However, if you still aren't sure please contact us to check.

Race the Sun Lake District is achievable by people with a reasonable level of fitness who are prepared to put in plenty of training beforehand. The more you train, the more you’ll enjoy the challenge. It’s a great incentive to get fit and work a load of different muscles, whilst knowing you’re raising funds for an excellent cause at the same time.

The good news is that all you need to take with you when you set out is what you’ll need to get round that part of the challenge. Each separate element of the event finishes back at the Event Hub where you can access your kit and refresh ready for the next stage!

You need to provide your own bikes and we would suggest a road or hybrid bike for this challenge as the route is all on-road (for those of you who have taken on this challenge before, we’ve taken out the off-road sections so that road bikes can be used).

Your bike must be well maintained and in good working order and we recommend a thorough service before the big day. You should carry a puncture repair kit and pump with you, along with a spare inner tube.

There will be a bike mechanic on hand at the event briefing and on the day to deal with any urgent repairs.

Canoe experience is not necessary for this challenge. Your team of four will use two-seater sit-on-top canoes that are rafted together. The canoes, paddles and buoyancy aids are provided and we also have qualified canoeing instructors to brief and help you out if needed.

This is a tough event and you really need to come prepared with the correct equipment for the challenge and know how to use it. We will provide you with a full kit list but this can give you an idea:

For the cycling, you must wear a helmet and bring your own bike, fitted with front and rear lights, in case of fog or if you start or finish in the dark.

For the trekking section, walking boots or fell-running trainers are advised. It’s a good idea to also carry a first aid kit just in case.

All specialist equipment for the canoe section is provided.

Don’t worry if you haven’t confirmed your team of four yet; you can register now to secure your place anyway! When you manage to secure your other team mates you can then get them registered via the online booking system.

Your parking is covered by us, so you can pull right up to the event base without having to worry about where to go. Keswick is a market town with a lot of choice of accommodation, so you can stay really close by and enjoy all the town has to offer.

YES! This trek is suitable for all people with the correct training. we can not stress enough the importance of being fit for this event. The minimum age for this challenge is 18 years old (14-17 year olds must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian). The one thing everyone will have in common is a great sense of adventure and a desire to succeed.

This challenge is very strenuous - it is very challenging and has been designed to be this way. Remember, you are trekking for 2 consecutive days, covering approximately 30 miles... and it’s full of ascents and descents! The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy this challenge. Training beforehand is essential, and lots of it!

We would normally advise to stay in a local hostel or bunkhouse to keep things cheap. However, there are lots of hotels and B&B's in the area. We can help advise on the best location.

We will supply you with a comprehensive kit list of what to take once you register to take part. Other than a good pair of walking boots, waterproofs and small rucksack (and perhaps some walking poles), you do not need any specialist kit.

No. Your main luggage will be transported to the accommodation by the transfer vehicle on day 1. Your main luggage will then stay in your room at the hostel until check out. You will need to carry a day pack for items needed throughout the day (packed lunch, waterproofs, warm layers, sun screen, water etc.).

Travel to and from the Lake District. Alcoholic drinks, personal insurance and tips and gratuities for mountain leaders and drivers.

There will be a strong support team with professional mountain leaders. Full, comprehensive medical kits will be taken and we are never too far away from hospitals if needed. A support vehicle with driver will provide extra support as required.

There will be regular rest stops for drinks and snacks but we do need to keep to a relatively tight schedule in order for the challenge to be completed in 24 hours. If, for any reason, you are unable to keep the pace of the main group, it may be suggested that you retire and meet the support vehicle.

Yes, no problem. You will be able to leave your car at the bunkhouse or venue we have booked for the first part of your programme. At the end of the expedition, we can assist you in returning to collect you car. Please note, The Adventure Element does not accept any responsibility for the security of your vehicle.

All of our venues are carefully selected so they have easy access by public transport. To get to the venues, it would would normally involve getting a public bus from the train station. We will provide you with full travel information once you have made your booking.

We require a minimum of 7 participants for an Open DofE expedition to run. Its very rare that we have to cancel an expedition due to low numbers. A decision to confirm the expedition as running is made 4 weeks before the start date. We will make contact with you in the unlikely event that we have to cancel. In this event, your booking can be moved to a future date with us with in 12 months, or alternatively, we can offer a full refund.

If you want to bring additional clothes or equipment that you do not want to use during the expedition (i.e. clothes to travel home in), you can leave with your instructor. Your instructor will arrange for somewhere for your belongings to be stored while you are out on expedition. They will then return it to you at the end of the programme. Any belongings are left at your own risk so we advise not to bring anything of value.

Open expeditions are designed for individuals who are no table to join their own groups expedition dates. This means there will be participants (aged 16-24 years - Please our Safeguarding policy) from all over the country as part of the programme. This is great opportunity to make some new friends and share in the experience together.

We will carefully select teams prior to your arrival based on age and experience. If on arrival we feel personalities and characters would work better together, we will adjust the teams accordingly. Completing an Open expedition is a great way to meet and work with new people and will be a very positive experience.

Yes, all staff working with young people hold a DBS Enhanced check (Disclosure Barring Service). In addition, they subscribe to the DBS update scheme. Copies can be requested.

If you have booked an Open expedition, you will have access to a fridge in the bunkhouse during the first night of the programme. After this, you will be eating your expedition food.

Our advice is to only plan to use fresh foods for the first few days of your programme. After this, you will be on expedition and can not guarantee your food will stay fresh.

We would rather you bring everything you need for the whole programme and expedition on day 1.

The programme is packed with content so taking participants shopping can effect the flow of the programme. However, if you have your own car, you are more than welcome to take yourself shopping in the evening once the day has finished.

Our expedition venues are approx 10 minutes drive from the nearest supermarket.

The week will start by meeting at the venue at 13:00. Your expedition will aim finish between 15:00 - 16:00.

You will have your own dedicated contact at Action Medical Research who will be on hand with telephone and email support to provide you with tips and guidance on how to fundraise for this challenge event, even during a pandemic!

Take a look at our fundraising guide here for loads of socially distant ideas to get you inspired. You can always get in touch if you need any extra fundraising help - events@action.org.uk

Race the Sun Coniston is achievable by people with a reasonable level of fitness who are prepared to put in plenty of training beforehand. The more you train, the more you’ll enjoy the challenge. It’s a great incentive to get fit and work a load of different muscles, whilst knowing you’re raising funds for an excellent cause at the same time.

Due to the logistics of this challenge, you will return to the Event Hub where you will transition to the next activity. You will therefore be able to make any kit changes at the Event Hub. We would advise that you keep any spare kit or bags in your cars at the Event Hub.

The route is a mixture of terrain with approx three quarters off road on single and double track trails, and the other quarter on road. It has been designed with gravel bikes in mind but would equally be ridable on a cross country/hard tail/short travel mountain bike, although it would be slower on a mountain bike.

There will be a bike mechanic on hand at the event briefing and on the day to deal with any urgent repairs.

Canoe experience is not necessary for this challenge. Your team of four will use two-seater open canoes. The canoes, paddles and buoyancy aids are provided and we also have qualified canoeing instructors to brief and help you out if needed.

This is a tough event and you really need to come prepared with the correct equipment for the challenge and know how to use it. We will provide you with a full kit list but this can give you an idea:

For cycling, you must wear a helmet and bring your own bike, fitted with front and rear lights, in case of fog or if you start or finish in the dark. For the trekking section, walking boots or fell-running trainers are advised. It’s a good idea to also carry a first aid kit just in case. All specialist equipment for the kayak section is provided.

Don’t worry if you haven’t confirmed your team of four yet; you can register now to secure your place anyway! When you manage to secure your other team mates you can then get them registered via the online booking system.

Your parking is covered by us, so you can pull right up to the event base without having to worry about where to go. Coniston is a small village so accommodation is quite limited, but there are plenty of places to stay within the Lake District National Park. Visit the region's tourist board website to search for accommodation.

There will be pastries and fruit provided in the morning. Lunch, snacks and water will be available at a changeover station during your challenge and when you've crossed that finish line there will be a BBQ and complimentary alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink waiting for you! There will also be water and snack stops along the route. This is all included in the event.

This is not compulsory but just a fun award for participants to get creative, no matter on your ability! You can dress up or simply co-ordinate themed accessories with your team. Please note that your outfit choices must be safety conscious and not hinder your ability on the challenge – no full body suits or inflatable costumes please!