DofE season has begun- should you join in?- Gen

The Duke of Edinburgh Award, or more commonly known as DofE, is a programme for 14-24 year olds that aims to improve confidence, resilience and build many skills through 4 different strands: volunteering, physical, and skills sections and then a final expedition (although by the 3rd level- Gold- there is also a residential section). Whilst this may seem like an awful lot of effort and hard work for some of you, it’s probably good to get up and out once in a while…!

So what’s everyone been up to? This past weekend, the Silver DofE crew had their practice expedition in the Peak District and in Easter both the Gold practice and qualifying group had their expedition in the Scottish Highlands. From times long ago, our year 9 Bronze expedition was in the local Rendlesham Forest in the final few weeks of summer term- I wonder where they are going this year?

Expeditions are a ‘self-sufficient’ (meaning you carry your tents, food, clothes in your backpacks) journeys through natural terrain, using a map and a compass to help guide you through routes, via checkpoints, to your campsite. This might sound pretty scary, but if you view it as a chill walk with your friends and lots of snacks, then it isn’t so bad! For Bronze (1st level) you have a 2 day trek, for Silver its usually a 3 days and 2 nights trek after completing a practice expedition for 2 days at a different time, and then for the final level, Gold, it requires a 2 or 3 day practice before a 4 day/3 night trek across (slightly ranging to very) difficult terrain. This year, the Gold DofE group had to deal with snow, sleet, and sun up in the Scottish Highlands… ouch! But what an impressive thing to have done!!!! Also, it can be so so so much fun hanging out with friends playing cards and making food at the campsite- trust me, some of my best memories have been made on my Silver Expedition.

However, there is more to DofE than a longish walk, and that’s the 3 sections. Volunteering requires you to help out your community in some way- whether that’s performing at the local retirement home, litter picking every week, or even helping out at school (especially if you’re in band or guard!) Meanwhile, the Physical section requires you to improve, quite literally, your physical fitness and so it is easily done with all the sport done at school. Lastly, the skills section is based on you learning a new skill or improving one you already have, such as through a cooking course, or learning sign language, or having music lessons. Once you have figured out what you are going to do, all you need to do is make a very quick note of what you did and submit it as ‘evidence’ and then et voila! Once you have done this for the given timescale (3+ months) you have completed it all. Again, seemingly difficult but you’d be surprised how much of this you already do…. and if you don’t then its always good for the soul (or CV) to pick up a new hobby!

The result of all this? A trip to Buckingham Palace once you have completed Gold, and a well decked out CV that (hopefully) many employers will be impressed by. So, why not step out of your comfort zone, or embrace the skills you already have, and start doing DofE? The worst that could happen is only a rather wet and chilly walk for a few days…. not thattttt bad right!? But honestly, just do it!