About Excel Outdoors

I'm Tom Kelly, founder of Excel Outdoors. The outdoors has been a huge part of my life since childhood, from climbing Dow Crag and wild camping at Goat's Water to completing my own DofE Awards and supporting young people as a leader and DofE Manager.

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Before founding Excel Outdoors, I worked for the DofE charity in communications, outdoor training and operations. I spent eight years as an Operations Manager and served as Acting Director for the North of England in 2020.

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That experience included delivering outdoor qualifications, leading expeditions and coordinating the Cumbria Assessment Network. I have also supported schools and local authorities with outdoor provision and DofE expedition programmes.

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I started Excel Outdoors to focus on what I enjoy most: helping people develop practical skills, grow in confidence and excel through outdoor learning. Today, we support schools, young people and adults through DofE expeditions, Outdoor School sessions, outdoor training and first aid.