Browse through our blog posts to find out what life is like at Hoe Grange Holidays along with some great ideas for days out in the Peak District.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a fabulous scheme providing young people with the chance to develop skills for work and life, fulfil their potential and have a brighter future. It is widely renowned by employers and universities alike as it’s balanced programme develops the whole person - mind, body and soul, in an environment of social interaction and team working.
The Youngsters achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award by completing a personal programme of activities in sections, including: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition and for Gold, a Residential.
Two of our children have successfully completed awards, so it was wonderful to be able to give a little something back by hosting a group who were doing their Silver expedition on horseback, which is quite unusual. The group had originally booked to come earlier in the summer, but the trip was postponed due to guess what? Yes, you guessed right, torrential rain!
Fun and frolics in the paddock
You can see by the smiles on the girl's faces that they were having an amazing adventure and masses of fun on their trek across the Derbyshire countryside.
Doing their expedition on horseback added many challenges, including greater organisation; not only did the girls have to think about thier own needs, accommodation and food, but also the needs and additional equipment for their four legged friends. They also had to think about contact details for local vets and farriers in case one of the ponies lost a shoe or became lame.
The ponies were not at all worried by our new wind turbine and were able to chill out in the paddock overnight, whilst the girls pitched their tents close by. For one of the girls the highlight of their sleepover at Hoe Grange was the use of a real flushing toilet rather than the usual portaloo!
Setting off from Hoe Grange
Setting off up the hill for a second days long trek are, Annie with Nook, Emily with Matty, Lara with Misty and Ellie with Star. Fortunately the sun shone and the expedition went according to plan with another overnight stop at Arbor Low.
Thanks to assessors Steve and Kathryn Bull of Bull Precision Expeditions for liaising with us and we wish the girls good luck for completing their Duke of Edinburgh Silver Awards.
If you'd like to bring your horse on holiday, then take a look at our range of accommodation available.
Felicity