The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme epitomises the

what we have to learn to do, we learn by doing Aristotle

thoughts of Aristotle.

We all need goals around which to build our lives, but it is the experience that is adventure’s greatest reward. If we lose ourselves in the single minded pursuit of a goal, we do not see the wood or the trees, only images of ourselves achieving our goal. The experience becomes an obstacle course to be got through, rather than the incredible journey it often is. In addition, when a goal is achieved in this way, the satisfaction is of the ego and not the spirit – and the former is a far more shallow reward. The subtle and deep rewards of the experience can be missed entirely if we focus on being the first or fastest.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme

All young people going through the process of growing up are faced with three main development tasks. Firstly, they are seeking intellectual maturity and wanting to know more about things. Secondly, they are trying to achieve emotional stability by overcoming their fears and frustrations, by learning to progress through stages to poise and confidence, taking pride in their own achievements or recognition of others for the worthiness of their accomplishments. Thirdly, they are learning role modeling, and, their place in society, among their peers, at school and at home.

It is only when they have achieved some measure of success in each of these tasks can they be said to have reached that stage where they are emerging as responsible, well balanced citizens.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award challenges young people to personal achievement through a balanced programme of practical, physical and cultural activities. The Scheme is especially designed to help young people discover themselves, their potential, to widen their horizons and develop responsible attitudes. It is also about providing the opportunity to accept a challenge. The challenges are not simply to do with hiking from one point to another, or learning a new skill like photography or cooking. It offers young people the opportunity to set a goal and achieve it. Along the way they learn about qualities like responsibility, trust and the ability to organise themselves.

The Scheme offers each participant to be:

• Independent to choose his programme of activities and to progress according to personal characteristics, aptitude and availability of resources.
• There is no competition between participants. The only person with whom participants compete are themselves. Self-motivation is critical.
• There is no such thing as failure in the Award Scheme. Even if an Award is not attained, just being involved brings new friends, new knowledge and new adventures which are, above all, enjoyable.
• Significantly, there is no coercion, rather challenge by choice, which supports and affirms the participant and their stages of learning.

The value in accepting the four challenges set by the Scheme is obvious. Each requires a special dedication, both mental and physical and, while the structure of the Scheme provides specialist help in different skills, it is up to individual participants to make their own way as best they can. No lectures are provided, no exams are set. Success comes through a conscious decision to accept and take up the challenges. The Award concept offers a holistic approach that develops the physical, mental, social and spiritual well being of an individual. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an exciting self-development scheme available to all young people worldwide equipping them with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and their world. To date almost 5 million young people from over 110 countries have been motivated to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities.

The Award is flexible and can be done by anyone aged 14–25 in their own time. Moreover, the individual chooses what activities to do depending on his interests and resources.

There are three levels of the Award in which you can participate - Bronze, Silver and Gold, with each successive level demanding increased commitment

• BRONZE—for those over 14. The minimum period of participation to gain this Award is 6 months;
• SILVER—for those over 15. The minimum period of participation to gain this Award is 12 months;
• GOLD—for those over 16. The minimum period of participation to gain this Award is 18 months.

The opportunity to participate in the Award provides a wide range of integrated learning experiences that introduces and reinforces concepts which are being developed in the College Curriculum.

The Sections of the Award

To gain an Award, all four Sections (plus an additional requirement of a Residential Project at Gold level only) must be tackled for the specified minimum period of time. The Sections are:

Service

To encourage a sense of responsibility to the community through:

• community service projects
• conservation work
• voluntary service in hospitals or community homes
• or more specialised training such as lifesaving, first aid or rescue services

The emphasis of this Section is the regular giving of a service.

Expedition/Adventurous Journey

To undertake a ‘journey’ is one of life’s most valuable and enriching experiences. The impact upon the young people taking part has a profound and lasting effect. To undertake an adventurous journey can offer young people of all ages and abilities almost unlimited scope to widen their horizons of life at every level. Whatever the experience, the journey will give rise to an increased awareness of self, others and the environment. It will bring opportunities to face up to new challenges, come to terms with the unknown, it will involve a degree of risk and uncertainty and require self-reliance in pitting one’s skill, knowledge and experience against the natural elements.

The Expedition/Adventurous Journey may be by foot, bicycle, boat or horseback, or alternatively it may be an equally challenging adventurous journey. Proper training and preparation, self-sufficiency, self reliance and the exploration of new surroundings are the key elements.

Skills

To encourage the development of personal interests and learn practical skills.

There are over 200 hobby and vocational Skills from which you can choose, such as Photography, Cacti Growing, Magazine Production, and Metal Work.

Physical Recreation

To encourage improved performance and physical fitness.

Participants are required to take part in some form of organised physical recreation and show individual progress. Most team and individual sports are included, such as football, athletics, archery, swimming and canoeing. The list is endless, depending on what appeals to you.

Residential Project - for Gold level only

Intended to broaden your experience through living and working with others (who are not your everyday companions) over a period of five consecutive days.

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 provides new experiences for those involved.

It is intended to help both the young as well as those who are concerned for their welfare. The object is to provide an introduction to worthwhile leisure activities and voluntary service; as a challenge to the individual to discover the satisfaction of achievement.

In taking part, participants develop:

• self-belief and self-confidence.
• independence - of thought and action.
• a sense of responsibility.
• an awareness of their potential.
• new talents and abilities.
• an understanding of strengths and weaknesses.
• the ability to plan and use time effectively.
• the ability to learn from and give to others in the community.
• new friendships.
• skills including problem solving, presentation and communication.
• the ability to lead and work as part of a team.