What is the DofE?

The DofE is… A DofE programme is a real adventure You just need to be aged between 14 and 24 You can do programmes at three levels: Bronze (aged 14+)Bronze Silver (aged 15+)Silver Gold (aged 16+)Gold …which lead to a Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

The DofE is… You achieve an Award by completing a personal programme of activities in four sections: Volunteering: undertaking service to individuals or the community Physical: improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities Skills: developing practical and social skills and personal interests Expedition: planning, training for and completion of an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad

…achieving an Award will give you skills, confidence and a view on life that everyone is looking for, from employers to colleges and universities....you're getting recognised for doing things you want to do (and may even be doing already)....you’ll make a difference to other people’s lives and your community, be fitter and healthier, make new friends and have memories to last you a lifetime. Why do your D of E…

Bronze Award (14+ years old) VolunteeringPhysicalSkillsExpedition 3 months Plan, train for and complete a 2 day, 1 night expedition Teams of 7 All participants must undertake a further 3 months in the Volunteering, Physical or Skills section. You must have completed your volunteering, physical and skills sections to be able to come on the expedition Start September – expeditions in June Must also commit to attend regular meetings and training events

Choosing activities There is a massive choice of activities that count towards DofE programmes. You can select practically any activity you want – as long as it’s legal and morally acceptable. Activities are placed in specific sections for a reason. You need to choose activities you are going to enjoy. Activities could be something that you are already doing or perhaps one you’ve always wanted to try.

Volunteering categories Helping people Community action and raising awareness Coaching, teaching and leadership Working with the environment or animals Helping a charity or community organisation

Physical categories Team sports Individual sports Water sports Racquet sports Dance Fitness Extreme sports Martial arts

Skills categories Creative arts Performance arts Science and technology Care of animals Music Life skills Learning and collecting Media and communication Natural world Games and sports

Expedition Aim To inspire young people to develop initiative and a sense of adventure and discovery, by planning, training for and completing an adventurous journey as part of a team.

Benefits of Duke of Edinburgh Gain an appreciation of and respect for the outdoor environment. Learn the value of sharing responsibility for success. Learn the importance of attention to detail and organisational ability. Develop and demonstrate enterprise and imagination. Become more self-reliant. Become more able to overcome challenges. Recognise the needs and strengths of others. Improve decision-making skills and the ability to accept consequences. Gain skills to reflect on personal performance. Learn to manage risk. Learn through experience.

The expedition process Preparation Training Qualifying expedition, debrief and presentation Assessment Practice expedition

Timescales for qualifying expeditions LevelDurationMinimum hours of planned activity each day Bronze2 days and 1 nightAt least 6 hours during the daytime (at least 3 of which must be spent journeying) Each team comes up with an aim for their expedition e.g. looking at footpath erosion in the Chiltern Hills

Other Information Students need to have completed their Volunteering, Skills and Physical sections prior to the expeditions. Students will need to attend a series of training events held at lunchtimes throughout the school year prior to their expeditions. Students keep track of their sections through the eDofE.

Other Information Expeditions have a high supervision ratio, very detailed risk assessments and a range of training required of the staff involved. However there is still a risk involved in letting groups of students go off by themselves. Students will have received all the training they need to be self-sufficient and keep themselves self I have got to be able to trust that your child will follow all advice / training provided and will not deliberately endanger themselves or their group.

Other Information There is a cost involved of £90: Registration with the Duke of Edinburgh Award eDofE registration Expedition cost – campsites, group equipment, cost of additional adult who holds required qualification to supervise students on expedition If there is money left after the expeditions in July then this will be returned to you.

Any questions??