ZOLEO Improves Coordination for the Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions
Introduction
In collaboration with 3S Group, the recommended tracking solution provider of the Duke of Edinburgh Award since 2012
Every year, more than 300,000 young people between the ages of 14-25 embark on Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, venturing into some of the UK’s most remote and rugged landscapes. For teachers and leaders, the mission is clear: keep every participant safe, visible, and connected — even when mobile coverage disappears.
Since 2012, 3S Group has been the Duke of Edinburgh’s recommended tracking provider, equipping schools and academies with the tools to monitor groups in the field.
Integrating ZOLEO’s two-way comms into our Duke of Edinburgh–recommended tracking gives leaders the context they need alongside the live map — reducing anxiety and helping teams act decisively.
Steven Wood
Managing Director, 3S Group
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Connect with an ExpertChallenge
Traditional “location-only” or one-way (simplex) tracking tools help staff see where groups are, but not what’s happening. Without proper communication, when a situation arises, such as fatigue, injury, an unexpected detour or severe weather, leaders often lack the context to decide whether to re-route a supervisor, wait it out, or escalate to rescue. That uncertainty can create unnecessary escalations, slow coordination, and anxious parents.
Compounding the challenge, Duke of Edinburgh is decentralised across schools, academies, and outdoor education providers — which means solutions must be simple, scalable, and budget-conscious, and they must fit into existing 3S Group tracking workflows Duke of Edinburgh teams already use.
Solutions
ZOLEO extends communication beyond mobile coverage with two-way satellite messaging (SMS and email), 24/7 SOS and unlimited check-ins. The ZOLEO App and dedicated ZOLEO SMS number make it easy for staff to coordinate across the field and with base, while Location Share+ provides breadcrumb tracking for safety-conscious leaders and parents.
Importantly for Duke of Edinburgh providers, ZOLEO tracking integrates with 3S Group’s solutions and is supported by purchase options, such as the Young Explorers Discount Program. In addition, 3S Group provides Duke of Edinburgh-ready tracking portals, planning tools, training, and ongoing support, seamlessly integrated with ZOLEO.
Outcome
With ZOLEO, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions benefit from faster, clearer decision-making, as leaders can share timely updates from the field, such as “minor ankle twist, resting 20 minutes”, instead of relying on location pings alone. This two-way communication reduces unnecessary escalations, helping teams triage issues and use rescue resources more effectively. At the same time, ZOLEO delivers peace of mind at scale, ensuring staff and parents know groups are both visible and reachable, even in areas with no mobile coverage. Just as importantly, ZOLEO fits seamlessly into the way Duke of Edinburgh operates, complementing 3S Group’s recommended tracking ecosystem and making adoption straightforward for schools and academies.
As one of the largest providers of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Derbyshire, we need reliable tools that help us keep every participant safe. The ZOLEO device has been an invaluable addition to our expeditions, enabling staff in remote areas to stay in touch with the rest of the expedition team when mobile signal is unavailable. This constant connectivity allows us to coordinate effectively, respond quickly to any situation, and give both staff and parents complete peace of mind. ZOLEO has become an essential part of delivering safe, successful expeditions.
Mr. Alex Waterhouse
School Duke of Edinburgh Manager, Lees Brook Academy (Derby)
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