Pupils at Aberdeen charity achieve Duke of Edinburgh award.

A trio of students from Camphill School Aberdeen have completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award following an expedition at Glen Tanar, in Royal Deeside.

Grace, who is a residential pupil, and Martha and Nicholas, who are day pupils, spent two days exploring the scenic Glen Tanar Estate in Aberdeenshire. The group completed a hike, camped overnight, where they cooked their own dinner and breakfast, and worked together to navigate the landscape. They studied the geology of the landscape too – interpreting it through drawings, maps, photography and the visual elements. The pupils formally presented their expedition findings to parents and teachers as well as their peers during an exhibition of their work.

 A 40-year connection to Glan Tanar

Glen Tanar was selected for the expedition due to the charity’s well-established relationship with the estate. For over 40 years, students, staff, and volunteers from Camphill School Aberdeen have enjoyed exploring the wildlife visible throughout the 25,000-acre estate, camping thereon many occasions.

Grace said: “I felt nervous at the start of the expedition about whether I was going to make it. We walked and walked to the campsite and had some breaks. We heard a cuckoo bird, saw cows and a froglet, a church and a visitor centre. We had to use our midge net. My favourite thing was erosion, seeing different types of rocks, exploring the path damaged during the flooding, and fallen trees. It was my first time sleeping in a tent with a friend and I managed to achieve my aims by carrying my bag by myself, taking photographs, putting up a tent and working as a team! I am excited it went well.”

Camphill School Aberdeen’s integrated approach combines education, care, vocational workshops, and therapies with a strong emphasis on community living and sustainability.

Creating some of the same opportunities as mainstream education

Euan Maharg, Learning Lead at Camphill School Aberdeen: “Although our approach to learning is tailored to every individual where possible, we try to provide the young people with some of the same opportunities as those in mainstream education. Each year, we support those who we think might be interested in and capable of taking part in the award. At Camphill School Aberdeen, we focus on what the young people can do, not what they cannot do.”

The trip to Glen Tanar was the culmination of months of practice and preparation for the three young people. To achieve bronze level, Grace, Martha, and Nicholas participated in voluntary work, including litter picking, looking after the school’s garden, and making hot meals for fellow pupils, physical activities,  such as skiing, judo, and cycling, and skills development which included taking part in the school orchestra, writing stories, and wood work, as well as the final adventure trip.

Michael and Claire Bruce, Directors at Glen Tanar, said: “It was a privilege to welcome the students from Camphill School Aberdeen to Glen Tanar as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition. Their achievement is a testament to their resilience, enthusiasm, and the power of outdoor learning in supporting personal growth.

“Camphill’s long-standing connection with Glen Tanar, spanning over 40 years, is something we value deeply. We are proud to continue supporting opportunities for young people of all abilities to explore and enjoy the natural environment in a meaningful way.”

Developing skills, confidence, and relationships

Spending time in nature plays a vital role in the work of Camphill School Aberdeen. Opportunities like the Duke of Edinburgh expedition help students build meaningful relationships with each other, with staff, and with the natural world around them. It is just one of several opportunities offered to students as part of a broader curriculum designed around, wellbeing, and real-life skills. The charity also offers SQA-accredited courses and access to its own internal STARS Awards, which are designed to recognise the achievements of students aged 16-25.

The young people were joined on the overnight trip by AksanaBaikova, a teacher at Camphill School, and school assistant, Juliette Manning.

Aksana added: “We know that meaningful experiences, like working towards the Duke of Edinburgh, give pupils a strong sense of achievement. It builds their confidence, nurtures independence and friendships, and helps them realise they are capable of so much more than they may have believed. One of the most valuable achievements is their blossoming friendship!”

Camphill School Aberdeen has helped 7  pupils achieve their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award over the last five years. The charity plans to support more young people to complete the challenge, believing access to this type of extracurricular activity is vital for educational and social development.

‍