Duke of Edinburgh Duke of Edinburgh

What is the duke of What is the duke of Edinburgh award Edinburgh award

►Leading youth Charity the DofE gives Leading youth Charity the DofE gives all young people the chance to all young people the chance to develop skills for work and life, fulfil develop skills for work and life, fulfil their potential and have a brighter their potential and have a brighter future.future.

History of the duke of History of the duke of Edinburgh award Edinburgh award

► 1956-The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for Boys 1956-The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for Boys established and chaired by HRH The Duke of established and chaired by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. Sir (later Lord) John Hunt appointed Edinburgh. Sir (later Lord) John Hunt appointed Director. The programmes consist of four sections, Director. The programmes consist of four sections, rescue & public service, expeditions, pursuits & rescue & public service, expeditions, pursuits & projects, and fitness.projects, and fitness.

► 1958- The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for Girls is 1958- The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for Girls is piloted with a programme consisting of design for piloted with a programme consisting of design for living, adventure, interests and service. The first living, adventure, interests and service. The first Gold Awards are achieved. Pilot projects start in Gold Awards are achieved. Pilot projects start in eleven Commonwealth countries.eleven Commonwealth countries.

Bronzes awardBronzes award► A Bronze DofE programme has 4 sections, A Bronze DofE programme has 4 sections,

Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition. You Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition. You must do a minimum of 3 months activity for each of must do a minimum of 3 months activity for each of the Volunteering, Physical and Skills sections, and the Volunteering, Physical and Skills sections, and plan, train for and do a 2 day (1 night) Expeditionplan, train for and do a 2 day (1 night) Expedition

► You also have to spend an extra three months on one You also have to spend an extra three months on one of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections. It’s of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections. It’s your choice which one and, though you can change your choice which one and, though you can change your mind later, you should decide which section you your mind later, you should decide which section you want to do for longer at the beginning. Knowing how want to do for longer at the beginning. Knowing how long you’re going to do it for will help you to choose long you’re going to do it for will help you to choose your activity and set your goals for each section.your activity and set your goals for each section.

► It will usually take you at least 6 months to complete It will usually take you at least 6 months to complete your Bronze programme.your Bronze programme.

Silver awardSilver award► A Silver DofE programme has 4 sections, Volunteering, A Silver DofE programme has 4 sections, Volunteering,

Physical, Skills and Expedition. You need to do at least Physical, Skills and Expedition. You need to do at least 6 months Volunteering and a minimum of 6 months on 6 months Volunteering and a minimum of 6 months on either Physical or Skills and 3 months on the other . It’s either Physical or Skills and 3 months on the other . It’s

up to you which one you do for longerup to you which one you do for longer..► The Expedition section involves planning, training for The Expedition section involves planning, training for

and doing a 3 day (2 night) expedition.and doing a 3 day (2 night) expedition.► If you start your Silver without doing Bronze first you’ll If you start your Silver without doing Bronze first you’ll

have to do an extra 6 months volunteering or doing have to do an extra 6 months volunteering or doing whichever of the Physical or Skills sections you have whichever of the Physical or Skills sections you have spent more time on. Though you can change your spent more time on. Though you can change your mind later, you should decide which section you want mind later, you should decide which section you want to do for longer at the beginning. Knowing how long to do for longer at the beginning. Knowing how long you’re going to do it for will help you to choose your you’re going to do it for will help you to choose your activity and set your goals for each section.activity and set your goals for each section.

Gold awardGold award► Once you are 16 you can do your Gold DofE Once you are 16 you can do your Gold DofE

programme. No activities can be counted for this programme. No activities can be counted for this before your 16th birthdaybefore your 16th birthday

► You’ll spend 12 months on your Volunteering You’ll spend 12 months on your Volunteering section. For Physical and Skills you must spend 12 section. For Physical and Skills you must spend 12 months on one and six months on the other - you months on one and six months on the other - you decide which way round you do itdecide which way round you do it

► Your expedition will be for four days and three Your expedition will be for four days and three nights and must take place in 'wild countrynights and must take place in 'wild country’.’.

► The big difference at Gold is you'll also do a The big difference at Gold is you'll also do a Residential section - staying away from home for Residential section - staying away from home for five days and four nights doing a shared activity five days and four nights doing a shared activity with people you don't know. It's great fun and a real with people you don't know. It's great fun and a real chance to do something different!chance to do something different!

Duke of Edinburgh todayDuke of Edinburgh today

►Awards achieved continue to rise Awards achieved continue to rise every year - now over 79,000 each every year - now over 79,000 each year. the ambition of the duke of year. the ambition of the duke of Edinburgh programme is to double the Edinburgh programme is to double the number of young people who take number of young people who take part.part.

►By Kieran Fitzgerald By Kieran Fitzgerald