subject: Introduction to the Duke of Edinburgh Award [print this page] Introduction to the Duke of Edinburgh Award
The Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award scheme began life in 1956, set up as an award for boys, chaired by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. In 1958, a girls' award scheme was piloted before the scheme as we now know it, for young people aged 14 upwards, and was launched in 1969. Designed for participants from all backgrounds and levels of ability, the scheme has continued to grow in popularity over the past 40 years.
There are more than 11,000 DofE centres across the UK, all of which are authorised by a licensed DofE operating authority and include schools, both comprehensive and top private schools, clubs and young offender's institutes, making the scheme highly accessible.
There is only one criteria required to participate in the award scheme - you must be aged between 14 and 25 years. There are three levels available, Bronze, Silver and Gold. The main difference between the three is the length of time that it takes to complete them and also the age at which you can start them.
In general, participants will start at the Bronze level and then work their way up through the other levels. The minimum age for starting the Bronze award is 14 years, rising to 15 years for the Silver and 16 years for Gold. Whichever level you are working on, you must have completed it by your 25th birthday. As a guide, a Bronze award normally takes a minimum of at least 6 months to complete, the Silver at least one year and Gold approximately 18 months, although these periods can be less if you have already achieved the previous level.
To achieve an award at any level you will need to complete a personal programme of activities across four separate sections (five for Gold) designed to enhance your life skills and experience:
Skills develop an existing skill or find a new one
Volunteering helping in your local community
Physical fitness through sport, dance or a leisure activity
Expedition train for, plan and complete an expedition
Residential (for Gold) work away from home on a team exercise
One of the best things about the award scheme is that within each section it is entirely up to you what you choose to do to complete the programme. The DofE Award scheme can offer assistance with ideas but if you have a particular passion or feel that none of the suggested activities quite suit you, then you can tailor your own programme to suit your requirements. Whatever you choose to do, you will need to show that you have participated in a regular activity for at least one hour per week.
As you progress through your programme, you will have an Assessor and Leader who will make regular notes in your Record Book. Once you have completed the programme, the book is sent to the Operating Authority for checking following which you're given your award. And if it's a Gold you could be presented with your award by the Duke of Edinburgh himself!
