Introduction

This resource primarily aims to help those UK teachers running 'D of E Awards' programmes in school, but also offers resources useful for anyone taking pupils on outdoor expeditions.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of activities for anyone in the UK aged 14-25. It offers an individual challenge and encourages young people to undertake exciting, constructive, challenging and enjoyable activities outside the curriculum. Many schools offer a "D of E Award" programme - and school staff often train as Unit Leaders to support pupils in the Scheme. There is local information about the award scheme for all those resident in the UK, and an international award site for participants outside the UK - almost 6 million young people from over 110 countries have undertaken a variety of voluntary and challenging activities linked to the scheme.

At any one time, almost a quarter of a million participants are trying for an Award in the UK alone, with over 100,000 taking up its challenge each year. Over 7% of those in the UK aged 14-17 participate in the Award, through Award Groups in their schools and colleges, or through youth clubs, voluntary organisations, Open Award Centres, young offender institutes and businesses.

The D of E Award is a five Section Programme with three progressive levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold.

The Sections involve:

• Service (helping the community);
• Skills (a hobby, skill or interest);
• Physical Recreation (sports, dance, fitness);
• Expeditions (on foot, cycle, horseback, or water);
• Residential Project - Gold only (an enterprise with people not known to the participant).