THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD
THE AIM OF THE AWARD
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award aims to provide for young people an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development, which is of the highest quality and the widest reach.
KEY PRINCIPLES
It is essential for everyone involved in the Award, whether as a participant or leader, to share a common understanding of the principles which underpin all aspects of the Programme's delivery. These key principles are:
Non-competitive
The Award is a personal challenge and not a competition against others. Each participant's programme is tailor-made to reflect their individual starting point, abilities and interests.
Available to All
With a commitment to equal opportunities, the Award Programme is available to all young people who choose to take up its challenge.
Voluntary
Young people make a free choice to enter the programme and commit their own time to undertake the activities.
Flexible
Young people design their own programme, which can be geared to their own choice and personal circumstances and also to local provision. They may enter for whichever level of Award best suits them and may take as long as they wish to complete an Award.
Balanced
By choosing activities in each of four different Sections (five at Gold), participants undertake a balanced and wide ranging programme.
Progressive
At each level, the Award Programme demands more time and an increasing degree of commitment, and responsibility from the participant.
Achievement focused
Before starting an activity, young people are encouraged to set their own goals. If they aim for those goals and show improvement, they will achieve their Award.
Marathon, not a sprint
The Award demands persistence and commitment and cannot be completed in a short burst of enthusiasm. Participants may want to continue with activities beyond the minimum time requirements set out for each level of the Award.
Personal development
The Award is a programme of personal and social development. The value to young people is dependent on personal commitment, the learning process and the quality of the experience.
Enjoyable
Young people and helpers should find participation enjoyable and satisfying.
AWARD SECTIONS
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities for young people aged 14-25.
The Award programme consists of three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each have differing criteria for entry and the level of achievement necessary to complete each award.
Air Cadets who meet the age criteria can join the award scheme.
Each award is broken down into 4 areas (5 for gold) which participants must complete successfully to receive their award. These are:-
•Service - To encourage service to individuals and the community. Helping others in the local community.
•Skills - To encourage the discovery and development of personal interests and social and practical skills. Demonstrate ability in almost any hobby, skill or interest.
•Physical Recreation - To encourage participation and improvement in physical activity. Sports, Dance, Fitness Etc.
•Expeditions - To encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery. Training for, and planning of a journey.
There is an additional requirement at Gold level:
•Residential Project - To broaden experience through involvement with others in a residential setting. A purposeful enterprise with young people not previously known to the participant.
The Award is widely recognised by employers as it helps demonstrate that award holders are keen to take on new challenges, have a higher level of self confidence than their counterparts, have leadership qualities with the added experience of teamwork.
BRONZE
Cadets must be at least 14 years old to start the Bronze award and can expect it to take a minimum of six months to complete. To complete the Bronze award, cadets must complete a service, skill, physical recreation and plan & prepare for a 2 day venture.
Based on an average of 1 hour per week, a cadet must actively take part in a service, skill and physical recreation for 3 months. These can of course run alongside each other and do not have to run concurrently.
For details of the conditions for each part of the Bronze award, click on "The Awards" page in the D of E Section in the menu.
The minimum age for completing the Bronze award is 14 and a half years. On completion, cadets will be presented with their award by their Commanding Officer as well as a badge to wear on the uniforms.
SILVER
Cadets must be at least 15 years old to start the Silver award and can expect it to take a minimum of six months to complete. This timeframe is extended for cadets starting the award scheme at this level (Direct Entrant), to 1 year.
To complete the Silver award, cadets must complete a service over 6 months, a skill and physical recreation for a total of nine months (cadets can choose to do either for 6 months and the other for 3 months) and plan & prepare for a 3 day venture, while Direct Entrants must undertake an additional 6 months in either the service or the longer of the skills or physical recreation.
For details of the conditions for each part of the Silver award, click on "The Awards" page in the D of E section in the menu.
The minimum age for completing the Silver award is 15 and a half years or 16 years for Direct Entrants. On completion, cadets will be presented with their award by their Commanding Officer as well as a badge to wear on their uniforms.
GOLD
The Gold award is the highest level in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Cadets must be at least 16 years old to start the award and can expect it to take a minimum of one year to complete. This timeframe is extended for cadets starting the award scheme at this level (Direct Entrant), to one and a half years.
To complete the Gold award, cadets must complete a service over 12 months, a skill and physical recreation for a total of eighteen months (cadets can choose to do either for 12 months and the other for 6 months) and plan & prepare for a 4 day venture, while Direct Entrants must undertake an additional 6 months in either the service or the longer of the skills or physical recreation.
In addition, Gold participants must also complete the residential element of the award. This involves undertaking a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights, with people who are not already known to them.
To help cadets complete this section, the annual summer camps are the ideal opportunity, as many camps take two or more squadrons. This means that the participant will be working with people they have never come across before. The Nijmegen Marches could also be used as a residential. There are other avenues available if the cadet or his award leader can arrange it. Other possibilities include youth hostels or sailing ships.
For details of the conditions for each part of the Bronze, Silver & Gold award, click on "The Award" page in the D of E Award section on the menu. Details on each of the sections are also covered on pages in the menu of the DoE Section on this
website.
The minimum age for completing the Gold award is 17 years or 17 and a half years for Direct Entrants. On completion, cadets will be invited to either London or Edinburgh to be presented with their award by a key figure, quite possibly HRH Prince Phillip. The cadet will also be presented with a Gold Award badge to wear on their uniforms, usually by their Commanding Officer.
THE DoE AWARD'S AIM
One day any young person aged between fourteen and twenty-five who wants to do the Award will be able to do so...
THE DoE AWARD'S VISION
For The Duke of Edinburgh's Award to be universally recognised and widely adopted as the best programme for the personal development of young people.
THE DoE AWARD'S MISSION
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is committed to providing for young people an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development, which is of the highest quality and the widest reach.
Our goal is to strengthen the Award by continuing to broaden and extend its reach to the many communities that comprise contemporary United Kingdom.
CHARITY STATEMENT
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a registered charity and relies on the generous support of volunteers, local authorities, business, trusts and individuals to meet its commitment to help all young people realise their full potential.
