Is the Duke of Edinburgh's Award about long walks in the pouring rain with 25kg strapped to your back?
Only if you want to! You can choose to do outdoor expeditions, but the Award is based on a programme of activity adapted to suit individuals – it’s about personal challenge. It is true, though, to say you have to be committed, so it’s about choosing things you’re really going to enjoy.
How does the D of E work?
There are three levels – Bronze, Silver and Gold – and four sections for each level plus a residential for Gold. For each section, young people choose exactly what to do, within set parameters.
D of E Programme Ideas
A comprehensive list of what each section covers is below:
The Volunteering part of the Award is about helping people in the local community, for example fundraising or caring for animals.
The Skillsbit is where you'll need to learn a new skill, anything from learning to drive to designing a website.
The Physical section could be anything from BMX racing to body boarding, from 5-a-side to street dance.
The Expedition part is not limited to walking – you can do it by bike or boat or even on horseback!
Areas of DofE Expeditions (as agreed by Peter Goldsmith, the Councils Expeditions Technical Advisor):
| Bronze |
Cotswolds
Mendips
Forest of Dean
Quantocks |
Should take place mainly on footpaths although country lanes can be used to link these. Must be away from large settlements.
Minimum qualification BELA Award or the Bath and North East Somerset Day Validation |
| Silver |
Quantocks
Exmoor
Dartmoor
Brecon Beacons |
Should take place on a mix of footpaths across and around cultivated land and areas of open moorland. Walking on lanes must be kept to a minimum. It should also show a progression in challenge and difficulty from bronze.
Minimum qualification Walking Group Leader Award or South West Mountain and Moorland |
| Gold |
North Wales
Lake District
Peak District
Brecon Beacons Dartmoor |
Should take place primarily on open moorland. Walking on footpaths and lanes through cultivated areas limited to access. It should also show a progression in challenge and difficulty from silver.
Minimum qualification Mountain Leader Award |
Although the same area can be used for training and assessment, a different location within that area should be chosen. Assessment must be covering new ground.
Who can take part?
Anyone aged 14-25. The openness of Duke of Edinburgh's Award is fantastic; it’s not based on fitness or ability but just willingness to have a go. The only measure is what young people manage to achieve for themselves.
Where can young people do the D of E?
It’s hoped that all young people in Bath and North East Somerset area will have access to a D of E Co-ordinator either through school, a youth project or the Youth Service. If a you're not sure, contact Marek Petela on 01225 396983, email marek_petela@bathnes.gov.uk. There are Open Award Centres in Keynsham and Bath. For further information contact Cathryn Bartrum on 07530 263202 or cathryn_bartrum@bathnes.gov.uk for Bath and for Keynsham (Mondays 7.30-9.30pm during term time) 07760 237663 or cathryn_bartrum@blueyonder.co.uk.
More Frequently Asked Questions To find out more online visit: www.dofe.org