The Outdoor Activity Residential Course offered by Services for Young People is a fun-packed five-day, four-night residential course for young people aged 16 to 24. It has been designed to fulfil the requirements for the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award Residential section. The courses are held during the school holidays.
Our experienced staff will help you step out of your comfort zone while you learn more about yourself and make new friends.
What's included?
On the course you will get to take part in and learn how to lead adventurous activities, such as:
- orienteering
- archery
- mountain biking
- cross country running
- low ropes and assault courses
- shelter building
You will also learn about activity leadership, preparation, health and safety and adaptive planning - tailoring your delivery to the abilities of the learner. The leadership skills you learn could go towards the Sports Leadership qualification.
In the evenings you will get together with the young people on the other residential courses for night-time nature walks and stargazing, an evening around the campfire, and a film night with board games and quizzes.
The course will also help you to develop skills that will be useful in other areas of your life, such as:
- Problem solving
- Communication skills
- Working as a team
- Decision making
- Staying focused
- Time management
The 2026 dates, costs and information about Hudnall Park and your accommodation can be found on the DofE Gold Award residentials landing page.
Take the first step
Please complete this form to express your interest and someone from the SfYP DofE Team will get back to you.
We ask for this information so we can contact you.
To find out how we look after your personal data please read our Data Protection information.
For further information, please email: DofE@hertfordshire.gov.uk with the subject heading Outdoor Activity Residential Course 2026.
Hertfordshire County Council Services for Young People is a Duke of Edinburgh's Award Approved Activity Provider.
