The program consists of camping trips and hikes as well as volunteering, physical activity, development and improvement of a skill, which is completed for each of the three levels (bronze, silver and gold).

We completed the bronze level in Year 9, where we went on overnight hikes at Nattai and Namadgi national parks. These trips were just a small taste of what was to come this year as we are participating in the silver level.

This year we began our silver level as we took part in a three-day hike from North Durras to Lake Tabourie.

The walk started off with perfect weather. We walked along dirt tracks surrounded by trees as well as beaches that felt like they went on forever.

The trip was full of laughs and funny moments, such as when one group walked in a complete circle, or the slips and falls upon the rocks at Pebbly Beach.

One of the memorable moments was looking back after climbing up the headland to see our footprints imprinted along the beach behind us, which gave us a feeling of accomplishment.

At our campsites we sat around the campfire, or snuggled up in our tents, made a new wallaby friend who we named Wallace, and some of us even braved the freezing cold ocean for a refreshing dip.

Duke of Edinburgh has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience. We have improved our skills, had fun and made memories that will last us forever.