DofE Gold Residential
This 5 day, 4 night Bioasis Mission is perfect for 16-24 year olds looking to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential.
Bioasis missions fuse adventure, outdoor activities, hands-on conservation work and nature based survey work into one incredible outdoor experience. Based in one of the UK's most stunning river estuaries, The Bioasis is a remote and beautiful location to complete your Gold Residential. What's more, you'll be having a positive impact on the biodiversity and nature of this AONB and SSSI site. Once the day's activities are over, it's time to retire to basecamp, enjoy the firepit and discuss the day's adventures with your Bioasis mission team, one of whom will also be your Gold Residential DofE Assessor.
If you're into nature, conservation, volunteering and adventure then this is the perfect DofE Gold Residential for you. Get in touch to find out more.
Mission: BIOASIS GOLD
5 Day, 4 night DofE Gold Residential Mission
Suitable Age: 16 - 24 yrs
Group size: Minimum 8, maximum 30
When: Missions run Wednesday to Friday week, May to end October.
18 - 22 August 2025 - Available
25 - 29 August 2025 - Available
Mission Objectives: From your Mission Start Point (MSP) you'll carry your backpack into Bioasis basecamp where you'll be based for the duration of your mission. Depending on the location of basecamp at the time of your mission, the trek in usual takes between 45 minutes and 1 hr 20 min. After an initial briefing and getting to know your group, you'll get stuck into a range of activities over the week, including:
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Canoeing
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Field Archery
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Wildlife and biodiversity survey work.
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Conservation volunteer activities.
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Environment plastic clean up work.
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Camera trapping and Species ID work.
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Bushcraft.
For a sample day to day programme see below.
Transport: Walking, canoe
Skills & Learning Outcomes: Leave No Trace philosophy, navigation, canoe skills & safety, camera trapping and use of moth lights, bat detecting, flora and fauna ID, search and rescue, plastics, recycling and circular economies, communications, camp & bushcraft skills, team work, problem solving, conservation & rewilding.
Mission start point: Confidential. South West England. Contact us for more information.
Price: £575 per person
What's included?
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All food from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 5
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Accommodation in purpose built off-grid Bioasis basecamp
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All activities as per sample mission below
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All technical and safety equipment
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Comprehensive Pre-Mission information including kit list, radio communications guide and mission briefing.
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Experienced Mission Leaders and activity / support staff
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Industry leading safety systems, including emergency and evacuation plans. See our Safety page for more information
What's not included?
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Transport to/from the Mission Start Point (located in SW England)
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Personal equipment (e.g. sleeping bag, boots etc) - a full kit list will be provided on booking.
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Travel Insurance (should you wish to take it out to cover you in case you have to cancel).
Bioasis Basecamps
The Bioasis has three main basecamps, each fully equipped with sustainable energy sources, comfortable multi-occupancy tents, a field kitchen, mess tent, composting toilets, bucket showers and a fire pit area. The location of basecamp may change depending on the seasons and the current threat from local industrialists. Potential locations include:
Holbe Meadow Camp (pictured left) lies to the west of the estuary, tucked away between a beautiful wildflower meadow and ancient woodland. The bird life, bees and bats here are magical, as are the stars at night.
Yarnin Fort Camp is situated at almost the highest point in The Bioasis, in a wildflower meadow, and has commanding views across the valley and down to the estuary. Witnessing dawn here is truly special.
Orche Wood Fly Camp is our newest basecamp hidden at the very heart of The Bioasis and surrounded by ancient forest. It’s secluded, atmospheric and a real gem of a location.
Duke of Edinburgh Sample Programme:
Day 1: Meet your mission leader at the pre-arranged Mission Start Point (MSP). Enter Bioasis and locate advanced basecamp. Navigation challenge to locate equipment drop. Evening briefing and basecamp task allocations. Set up wildlife cameras and small mammal traps.
Day 2: Canoe based search and rescue mission to locate information and equipment drops and return them to basecamp. Afternoon estuary/beach clean up. Evening moth survey work.
Day 3: Morning conservation work e.g. removal of invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam or Rhododendron. Evening bat survey work.
Day 4: Full day expedition within The Bioasis to meet with Bioasis defence force and undertake archery training. Afternoon conservation work and checking camera traps. Prepare for final evening dinner and guerrilla rewilding activities outside The Bioasis.
Day 5: Depart basecamp, transfer or trek out of The Bioasis to train station or MSP for journey home.
Please note: The exact order of days and nature of mission activities may vary depending on weather, tide times and other factors outside of our control.
How to book your Gold DofE Residential
Please contact missioncontrol@thebioasis.com to register your interest or phone 01392 7984878 to chat to one of the team.
We can then send you more information, including location and your Mission Start Point, a booking form, BACS details for payment of deposit and the balance payment.
Deposit: £200 due at time of booking
Balance: £375 due 60 days prior to mission start.
Financial protection and peace of mind
All Bioasis Missions are financially protected by Trust My Travel, in accordance with Package Travel Regulations requirements. Please click on the logo below for more information on TMTProtects.me financial protection. We hold all legally required licences, including AALA. In addition, we are member sof the British Activity Providers Association (BAPA) and have been awarded The Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge - a nationally recognised indicator of good quality educational provision AND effective risk management.
