The Duke of Edinburghs Award

1
The Duke of Edinburghs Award

• www.dukeofed.org/on

2
History of the Award

• Founded by His Royal Highness Prince Philip to
  encourage personal development and community
  involvement for young people. The programme is
  open to any person between the ages of 14 and 25.
  Participants achieve the award by attaining
  personally established goals in the areas of
  Community Service, Skill Development, Physical
  Fitness, and Adventurous Journey.

3
Objectives

• To provide a challenge for young people between
  the ages of 14 and 25.
• Mental or physical ability, social circumstance,
  cultural or geographical background should never
  be a barrier.
• The Award is not an academic achievement but
  rather an opportunity to develop or be recognized
  for your extra curricular activities and
  interests.

4
There are 3 levels

• BRONZE
• SILVER
• GOLD

5
BRONZE AWARD

• minimum age to start 14
• minimum age to complete 14 ½
• maximum age to finish 25
• qualify in each of the four sections
• minimum 6 months commitment

6
SILVER AWARD

• minimum age to start 15
• minimum age to complete 15 ½
• maximum age to finish 25
• qualify in each of the four sections
• minimum 6 months commitment
• (or 12 months if direct entry)

7
GOLD AWARD

• minimum age to start 16
• minimum age to complete 17
• maximum age to finish 25
• qualify in each of the four sections
• complete residential project
• minimum 12 months commitment
• (or 18 months if direct entry)

8
There are 4 sections

• SERVICE
• ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY
• SKILLS
• PHYSICAL RECREATION

9
Service

• To voluntarily provide assistance where needed
  in your school, religious or greater community.
• Bronze - minimum 15 hours at least 6 months
• Silver - minimum 30 hours at least 6 months
• (45 hours at least 12 months if direct
  entry)
• Gold - minimum 60 hours at least 12 months
• (90 hours at least 18 months if direct
  entry)
• The 40 hours of community service required for
  the Ontario high school curriculum may count
  toward the Service hours

10
Adventurous Journey

• To develop self-reliance by undertaking an
  interesting journey of discovery. To encourage
  participants to develop an awareness of the
  natural environment, and the importance of
  protecting it. To fulfill all requirements of
  this section, participants must complete
  preliminary training, a practice journey and
  qualifying journey.
• Bronze one day practice trip two days and one
  night qualifying trip.
• Silver two days and one night practice trip
  three days and two nights qualifying trip.
• Gold two days and one night practice trip four
  days and three nights qualifying trip. If direct
  entry, two practice trips must be completed.

11
Skills

• To encourage discovery and development of
  personal interests and social, vocational and
  practical skills.
• Choose a Skill and sustain it for a period of
• Bronze minimum 6 months
• Silver minimum 6 months (12 if direct entry)
• Gold minimum 12 months (18 if direct entry)
• Most sporting activities are not considered under
  Skills but should be selected for Physical
  Recreation.

12
Physical Recreation

• To encourage participation in physical activity
  and provide an opportunity to improve performance
  and learn to appreciate Physical Recreation as an
  important component of a healthy life style.
• Participate in one or more physical activities
  for the required number of weeks
• Bronze 30 hours over at least 15 weeks
• Silver 40 hours over at least 20 weeks
• Gold 50 hours over at least 25 weeks
• A new activity must be included at each level.
• Only 2 hours per week (from each week) will be
  counted towards total hours.

13
Residential Project

• To involve participants in a planned project or
  training in the company of their peers who are
  not their usual everyday companions. The
  residential project must be a 5-day/4- night
  experience away from home.
• This fifth component applies to the Gold
  level only, however participants may complete the
  requirement while working on any level.

14
Final Thoughts

• There are 3 main principles of the Award
  Programme
• 1. To show IMPROVEMENT
• 2. To be CHALLENGED
• 3. To make an EFFORT

15
The International Award Association

• The Duke of Edinburghs Award is a member of the
  International Award Association.
• The International Award is an exciting
  self-development Programme available to all young
  people worldwide equipping them with life skills
  to make a difference to themselves, their
  communities and their world.
• To date over 5 million young people from over 100
  countries have been motivated to undertake a
  variety of voluntary and challenging activities
  so why not get involved?

16
The Duke of Edinburghs Award Ontario Division

• 14 Adelaide Street West,
• Suite 201
• Toronto, ON
• M5H 1L6
• [phone], 1-800-929-3853
• www.dukeofed.org/on