Duke of Edinburgh

The Duke of Edinburgh Scheme at KLB School

BASIC INFORMATION

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award began in 1956 and gives young people aged between 14 and 25, whether able-bodied or with special needs, an opportunity to experience challenge and adventure, acquire new skills and make new friends.
Participation in the Award is voluntary and, above all, it is fun! It fosters self-discipline, enterprise and perseverance.

There are three levels of Award: Bronze, Silver and Gold, each has an increasing degree of commitment.

To gain any one of these levels, each young entrant must complete four Sections:
- Expeditions
- Skills
- Physical Recreation
- Service
For Gold, participants must also complete a Residential Project, away from home for at least five days.
The Award Office licenses organisations such as KLB School to run the Scheme as Operating Authorities.
There should be a regular commitment throughout the periods below averaging at least one hour a week.

BRONZE AWARD
Service	Skills	Physical Recreation	Expeditions
3 months	3 months	3 months	Plan, prepare and undertake a 2-day, 1-night venture
An additional 3 months must be undertaken in any one of these Sections

SILVER AWARD
Service	Skills	Physical Recreation	Expeditions
6 months	One section for 6 months and the other Section for 3 months		Plan, prepare and undertake a 3-day, 2-night venture
Direct entrants must undertake an additional 6 months in either the service or the longer (Skills or Physical Recreation) Section

GOLD AWARD
Service	Skills	Physical Recreation	Expeditions	Residential
12 months	One section for 12 months and the other Section for 6 months		Plan, prepare and undertake a 4-day, 3-night venture	Undertake a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights
Direct entrants must undertake an additional 6 months in either the service or the longer (Skills or Physical Recreation) Section

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Award itself is not a youth organisation. It is a programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities designed for use by all agencies having a concern for the development of young people; a programme flexible enough to meet their enthusiasms and aptitudes whatever their background or culture, however plentiful or limited their resources may be.

Participants follow their chosen activities, largely in their own time, with guidance from someone knowledgeable in each subject. Minimum standards of achievement are laid down and when these are met, the participants qualify for an Award. These minimum standards should be exceeded, where appropriate, in order to create a truly personal challenge. A badge and certificate are presented on behalf of The Duke of Edinburgh to mark an attainment, which represents the successful completion of a co-operative venture between the young and not-so-young in this way, barriers between generations are eroded.

In gaining Awards, young people learn by experience the importance of commitment, enterprise and effort. They discover a great deal about themselves and come to know the enjoyment of working with and for other people.

The Award is voluntary and entry must be a participant's free choice. It is not competitive since individuals are assessed on their own progress, perseverance and achievement and Awards are within the reach of all. The programme is available to all young people whether members of a youth organisation or not. They may take part individually or together with others of their own age group.

This, is the essence of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Through a commitment to its programmes, young people will be acquiring self-reliance and a sense of responsibility to others, both essential qualities of citizenship. The Award Programme is a vehicle for spiritual, personal and social development and the overall benefits of the Award are therefore greater than the sum of its component parts. It is hoped that adults who help young people towards an Award will bear these aspects in mind.