From Rivers to Mountains: Highlights from the 2025 Expedition Season
As the OceanRock team transitions from leading outdoor adventures and returns to the office to continue planning what’s next, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on the adventures we’ve had this season.
From the first day in March to the last day in October, Bronze teams were out in full force! With hundreds of teams having their first taste of outdoor expeditions and successfully completing their Bronze DofE awards. For many, this will not be the last we see of each other, with plenty signing up for Silver next year and we look forward to seeing them as Golds in years to come.
April took us down to Dartmoor, where the moor was kind to us this year! As if to make up for rain that can only be described as armageddon the previous season, it was positively spring-like. Blue skies and rolling hills gave us an idyllic back drop for our gold practice expeditions and Ten Tors training wild camps.
Meanwhile, all throughout the year, we were in schools delivering DofE training days, as well as team-building adventure days. Offering engaging and entertaining outdoor related activities directly, from crate stacking, obstacle courses, slacklining and teambuilding.
On the paddling front, the intermittent rain throughout the year gave us the perfect river levels to run Jackfield Rapids for our Gold participants to demonstrate their skills and have some extra excitement on their qualifying expeditions. Who doesn’t love a bit of white water…
Despite approaching our 15th birthday, we know there’s always more ways to explore. This year our Silver teams took on their expeditions in more ways than ever before, with walkers, mixed-moders, mountain bikers, and canoeists all completing their DofE’s.
From the Lake District to Jersey, it feels as though we’ve been everywhere this season! Whether paddling down rivers, hiking through the mountains or navigating through difficult terrain, every young person has shown real determination and proved to themselves what they’re truly capable of. We have had some lucky and challenging weather this year from beautiful clear days, to downpours and heatwaves. Throughout though, we have loved seeing so many young people getting outside, challenging themselves, and most importantly – having fun. Now, to get back to the planning… There are many more adventures to come.
