Duke of Edinburgh Award
Sett personal challenges and push your boundaries. Create life-changing experiences with friends, discover new interests, and develop skills for life with this nationally recognised award!
How old do I need to be?
- Bronze – for those aged 14+ years
- Silver – for those aged 15+ years
- Gold – for those aged 16+ years
If you aren’t 14 yet but have moved up to Explorers, you may be able to start your Bronze DofE programme. If you have finished your Bronze but aren’t 15 yet, but are in the school year in which your peer group turn fifteen, you may be able to start a Silver DofE programme. All awards must be completed by your 25th Birthday!
What does it involve?
Volunteering
Giving time to help people, the community or society, the environment or animals. For your volunteering activity you need to choose to give time to do something useful without getting paid, it must not be done for a business but can be undertaken for a charity or not-for-profit organisation. Why not give back to your local Scout group and help at Beavers or Cubs?
Physical
Choose any sport, dance or fitness activity to take part in for the amount of time. Playing a sport regularly and showing personal improvement would count.
Skills
Choose an activity that will allow you to prove you have broadened your understanding and increased your knowledge in your chosen skill.
Expedition
You will need to plan, train for and complete an unaccompanied, self-reliant expedition with an agreed aim. You must do the correct training for your level and mode of travel, at least one practice expedition, a qualifying expedition (the one that is assessed) and a final presentation in order to complete the section.
Your expedition must be completed by your own physical efforts either on foot, bicycle, boat, canoe or kayak or Horseback with minimal external intervention and without motorised assistance. Your route should also be a continuous journey. This section will be completed with your Explorer/Network unit, so have a chat with your leaders.
Residential (Gold only)
For Gold level awards you need to undertake a shared activity or specific course with people you don’t know, in a residential setting away from home and in an unfamiliar environment for five consecutive days with a minimum of four nights spent away.
How to get started.
- Download the registration form or get one from your leader.
- Complete it and send it in.
- You will then get an electronic DofE account (called eDofE). Once registered, make sure you login and get started.
Good Luck and have fun!