During my high school days, I took part in the Duke of Edinburgh program, which had a huge influence on me throughout my adolescent years. The Duke of Edinburgh himself, Prince Phillips, established this program in Great Britain in 1956. This award is designed “to help young people develop a sense of responsibility in themselves and their community by exploring their horizons” It gives a chance for teenagers to get involved in the community, to explore, to become a leader and to improve on ones life skills. The program is made up of five sections: Community Service, Skills Development, Physical Fitness, a Residential Project and an Expedition. The award consists of three stags: Bronze, Silver and Gold.
Community Service: This section was all about making a difference to other people’s lives. The volunteer aspect can be anything you want to do from helping children with special needs, feeding the homeless, or coaching a soccer team. For each level, you have to acquire so many hours to achieve that level.
Physical Activity: This section was all about getting active. You did not have to be the star athlete, you just had to be active and clock your hours.
Residential Project: This section involves spending 5 days and 4 nights away from home on a shared activity with people you have never met before. It was a chance to be out of your comfort zone, spending time away from home and making friendships with people all over the country. This project could be anything from a leadership conference, helping out at a children’s camp or learning a language in a different country.
Skill Development: This section is allowing yourself to try something completely new or perfecting a skill that you might have already tried, for example, playing a musical instrument, painting a picture or driving a car.
The Expedition: This Section was where the true adventure began. With your team of approximately 10people, you would plan your expedition, decide on a location, train and be fully prepared in what you about to encounter. Depending on what level you are, will depend on how long your expedition will be. For the gold level, you had to hike 80km in 4 days. Once you had completed your expedition you would have to do a presentation about your experiences and your achievements. This section is probably the most memorable as you learn hands on experiences from teambuilding, leadership skills and confidence.
Each section must be done for a minimum period of time. All of the sections must be monitored and then assessed by someone with knowledge of that particular activity to achieve an Award. As you progress from Bronze, Silver and Gold the level demands more time and commitment from participants.
The popularity of this award continues to grow all over the world. Today over 275,000 young people take part in DofE programs in groups which are run in over 11,000 DofE centres throughout the UK alone. Centres range from youth clubs and schools to voluntary organization meeting places, businesses and Young Offender Institutes.
The principle guidelines for this award are simple.
1. Non-competitive
2. Achievable by all
3. Voluntary
4. Personal development
5. Personalized
6. Balanced
7. Progressive
8. Achievement focused
9. Demand commitment
10. Enjoyable
On a personal note, this program were the building blocks of who I am today. I was fortunate to go to a school where a lot of these activities to accomplish this award were already set up, i.e., the volunteering aspect, the physical activity section and the residential project. I learned a great deal from this program and I got to explore unknown places, be physically active, get involve in the community and develop as a better person and leader. Personally the best part was completing the expeditions. I loved trekking through the wilderness and being miles away from civilization. There are so many memories, friendships and personal development that were built by doing this Award!
Jump ahead 5 years and I am now working in an environment that represents most of what this award means. Through IF I have jump to the next level of perfecting my personal growth, my leadership, my professional development, and leading others on amazing trips or on their own personal growth. This is just the beginning and I know the growth will only continue to grow here at IF.
Community Service: This section was all about making a difference to other people’s lives. The volunteer aspect can be anything you want to do from helping children with special needs, feeding the homeless, or coaching a soccer team. For each level, you have to acquire so many hours to achieve that level.
Physical Activity: This section was all about getting active. You did not have to be the star athlete, you just had to be active and clock your hours.
Residential Project: This section involves spending 5 days and 4 nights away from home on a shared activity with people you have never met before. It was a chance to be out of your comfort zone, spending time away from home and making friendships with people all over the country. This project could be anything from a leadership conference, helping out at a children’s camp or learning a language in a different country.
Skill Development: This section is allowing yourself to try something completely new or perfecting a skill that you might have already tried, for example, playing a musical instrument, painting a picture or driving a car.
The Expedition: This Section was where the true adventure began. With your team of approximately 10people, you would plan your expedition, decide on a location, train and be fully prepared in what you about to encounter. Depending on what level you are, will depend on how long your expedition will be. For the gold level, you had to hike 80km in 4 days. Once you had completed your expedition you would have to do a presentation about your experiences and your achievements. This section is probably the most memorable as you learn hands on experiences from teambuilding, leadership skills and confidence.
Each section must be done for a minimum period of time. All of the sections must be monitored and then assessed by someone with knowledge of that particular activity to achieve an Award. As you progress from Bronze, Silver and Gold the level demands more time and commitment from participants.
The popularity of this award continues to grow all over the world. Today over 275,000 young people take part in DofE programs in groups which are run in over 11,000 DofE centres throughout the UK alone. Centres range from youth clubs and schools to voluntary organization meeting places, businesses and Young Offender Institutes.
The principle guidelines for this award are simple.
1. Non-competitive
2. Achievable by all
3. Voluntary
4. Personal development
5. Personalized
6. Balanced
7. Progressive
8. Achievement focused
9. Demand commitment
10. Enjoyable
On a personal note, this program were the building blocks of who I am today. I was fortunate to go to a school where a lot of these activities to accomplish this award were already set up, i.e., the volunteering aspect, the physical activity section and the residential project. I learned a great deal from this program and I got to explore unknown places, be physically active, get involve in the community and develop as a better person and leader. Personally the best part was completing the expeditions. I loved trekking through the wilderness and being miles away from civilization. There are so many memories, friendships and personal development that were built by doing this Award!
Jump ahead 5 years and I am now working in an environment that represents most of what this award means. Through IF I have jump to the next level of perfecting my personal growth, my leadership, my professional development, and leading others on amazing trips or on their own personal growth. This is just the beginning and I know the growth will only continue to grow here at IF.
1 comment:
It was Launched in the UK in 1956 as The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, the Award has now spread to 126 countries.The International Award is an exciting self-development programme available to all young people between the ages of 14 and 25. It aims to equip them with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and the world.The Award is not an organisation, but a programme any group working with young people can run the Award. This is the great strength of the Programme.
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Gillberk
OPINION LEADER
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