GOAL 

GOAL

To encourage the discovery and development of personal interests and social and practical Skills.
The activity selected for Skills must be passive and non athletic in nature.

 

OBJECTIVE

The object is to stimulate participants to take up and persevere at satisfying and purposeful interests within a wide range of practical, social and cultural activities. The choice can either be a continuing and progressive interest in an activity such as stamp collecting, fishing or playing a musical instrument, a study of a topic of personal interest such as fashion, money matters, or a definite task to be completed such as making simple pieces of furniture or building a boat. 

In all cases, participants are encouraged to seek out people knowledgeable in the area of their chosen Skill, and with the assistance of that person, establish reasonable objectives based on personal experience and knowledge of the chosen Skill.

In addition to developing skills, participation should lead to further contact with experienced people. This may be through membership in a club or group or through the wealth of individual expertise available in a community. 

 

TIME REQUIREMENTS AND RECORDS

1. The time requirements for Service, Skills, and Physical Recreation sections are the same. Bronze participants and direct entrants at Silver or Gold level have to devote some extra time to one section of their Award, and they may choose the Service section to do so. Please refer to the overall time requirements chart for further details. The average minimum time to be spent on the Service, Skills, and Physical Recreation sections is one hour per week over the indicated period of time.

Award Level	Minimum Time	For the section chosen as the longest
Bronze	13 weeks	26 weeks
Silver	26 weeks	52 weeks (if a direct entrant at Silver level)
Gold	52 weeks	78 weeks (if a direct entrant at Gold level)

2. The Skill may be an existing interest or something entirely new to the participant. The chosen interest or Skill may be changed once at each level if circumstances render the original choice impractical or inappropriate. In this case, the second activity must follow as soon as possible after the first activity.

3. A young person is required to display individual progress and sustained interest over a period of time, leading to a deeper knowledge of the subject and the attainment of a reasonable degree of skill.

4. Skills acquired at school or related to a young person’s work are not excluded, provided that all work to count for an Award is taken outside curriculum timetable or employment time and is not required for study or examination purposes.

5. The Skill may be followed independently or as a member of a group. Knowledge and experience may be acquired by attending a course or by individual inquiry, in which case it should be associated with further investigation and/or practical work.

6. Sporting activities are not considered under Skills, but should be selected for Physical Recreation.

 

INSTRUCTION

Instruction must be provided only by persons suitably qualified or experienced in the chosen activity or topic. The essence of this section is for the participant to find people with expertise and enthusiasm to assist them in their efforts.

 

ASSESSMENT

Each individual is assessed throughout the required period on effort, perseverance, and progress as well as on understanding of the practical, cultural and social aspects of the chosen activity or topic. The person who is guiding the work may well be in the best position to undertake assessment but, in some cases, it will be desirable to bring in an independent assessor.

Group activities are to be assessed in regard to each individual’s contribution to the planning, execution and completion of the chosen activities. 

A young person qualifies in this section if the assessor, after consultation with the instructor where applicable, is satisfied that:
a) there has been a substantial commitment of genuine leisure time,
b) the Skill has been consistently followed for the required time,
c) genuine effort and individual progress has been made within your capability.

Any written work should be assessed on content rather than on style or spelling. Dates of starting and successful completion are to be entered in the  Online Record Book.

 

EXAMPLES OF POSSIBLE SKILL ACTIVITIES

The activity must be passive and non-athletic in nature.

General
Computing, construction of camping equipment, cookery, drama, theatre appreciation and web design.

Arts
Art and architecture appreciation, drawing, painting, photography, sculpture.

Collections and Studies
Collections – general, civics and politics, financial matters, librarianship, local and historical surveys, cultural studies, religious studies.

Communication
Film and magazine production, language, public speaking, reading, writing.

Crafts
Basketry, dressmaking, furniture making, knitting, macramé, metal and plastic work, pottery, woodcarving.

Music
Playing a musical instrument, music appreciation, singing in a group or solo.

Nature
Farming, forestry, gardening.

Recreative Skills
Chess, fishing, officiating and refereeing and table games.

Transportation
Boatwork and boat construction, flying, gliding, vehicle driving and maintenance.

 

 

GOAL

To encourage participation in physical activity and provide an opportunity to improve performance and learn to appreciate Physical Recreation as an important component of a healthy life style. The selected activity must be active and/or athletic in nature.

 

OBJECTIVE

The positive benefits of Physical Recreation and fitness as important components of a healthy life style have been well documented. This section of The Award offers an excellent opportunity to become involved in some form of physical activity leading toward long-term involvement.

This section encourages all participants to reach their full potential in a specific physical activity(ies). Although the degree of training and leadership provided may differ, each person should demonstrate improved performance over the required timeframe.

​

TIME REQUIREMENTS AND RECORDS

1. The time requirements for Service, Skills, and Physical Recreation sections are the same.
Bronze participants and direct entrants at Silver or Gold level have to devote some extra time to one section of their Award, and they may choose the Service section to do so. Please refer to the overall time requirements chart for further details. The average minimum time to be spent on the Service, Skills, and Physical Recreation sections is one hour per week over the indicated period of time.

Award Level	Minimum Time	For the section chosen as the longest
Bronze	13 weeks	26 weeks
Silver	26 weeks	52 weeks (if a direct entrant at Silver level)
Gold	52 weeks	78 weeks (if a direct entrant at Gold level)

2. Participate in one or more physical activity(ies) for the required number of months. If there is any question as to a particular selection, it should be discussed before hand with the participating group leader or Provincial / Division Director.

3. Improvement of overall performance is essential for qualification in this section. Such improvement exists in the following forms:
a) attendance and willingness to become involved during each practical session appropriately attired and equipped,
b) improvement of physical fitness specific to the activity,
c) knowledge of safety precautions and appreciation of the hazards involved with the activity undertaken.

4. At the Silver and Gold levels participants may continue with their previous Physical Recreation activities.

 

 

INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT

​ Participation sessions are to be coached or supervised by persons knowledgeable and experienced in the activity. The form of participation should be approved in advance by the assessor. Participants should keep a written account of dates and hours of their Physical Recreation sessions.

Some methods for assessing or monitoring improvement can be obtained from a physical education teacher or fitness instructor. These can be either self-monitoring, or for the assessor to use in evaluating improvement.

 

EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL RECREATION ACTIVITIES

​ Activity must be active and/or athletic in nature.

• aerobics
• basketball
• brisk walking 
• canoeing 
• cross-country skiing 
• cycling 
• dancing (e.g. ballet, ballroom, folk, heritage) 
• golf 
• hang gliding 
• hockey 
• pilates 
• racquet sports 
• sailing
• scuba diving 
• swimming 
• yoga

​

 

 

GOAL

To develop self-reliance by undertaking an interesting journey of discovery. To encourage participants to develop an awareness of the natural environment, and the importance of protecting it during the Adventurous Journey.

 

OBJECTIVE

​Young people must undergo appropriate training, including safety precautions. Then they must carry out a practice journey(s) and finally complete an Expedition, Exploration or Adventurous Project having some preconceived purpose of discovery in the outdoors. The journey should present a challenge in terms of physical effort and fulfillment of its purpose.

 

REQUIREMENTS

​ 1. All journeys should involve travel by personal effort without motorized assistance. In order to get to the departure point or from the completion point, motorized transport may be used. Your Adventurous Journey starts after you leave the motorized transportation. There are three types of journeys:

A) EXPLORATIONS (A PURPOSE WITH A TRIP)

An Exploration is a purpose with a journey. In an exploration, the primary focus is to observe and collect information relevant to the purpose. Participants may make use of a base camp, and their purpose involves some aspect of the natural environment (e.g. flora, fauna, landforms), or is historic in nature. In an exploration, at least one third of the minimum hours of planned effort should be spent on journeying. The remainder of the time is to be spent on the approved investigation or special activity. An Exploration must involve pre-journey research or study into the topic, an on-site study during the journey, and a report on the findings contained in the log.

Examples of Explorations

• Exploring the natural world: glaciations, erosions, geology, coastal studies, river valleys, plant studies, bird studies or animal studies, insect studies
• Exploring historic land use: prehistoric man, historical periods
• Investigating the survival or extinction of language
• Exploring human impact: visitor pressure in national parks, pollution monitoring
• Carrying out health surveys or health education in remote areas

 

B) EXPEDITIONS (A TRIP WITH A PURPOSE)

An Expedition is a journey with a purpose. In an expedition, the primary focus is journeying, where participants stay at a different campsite each night. If obtaining different campsites proves to be impossible, participants may use a base camp. This journey may have one of many purposes. For Expeditions, the required hours of planned activity are to be spent on journeying, navigating and route finding, setting up and striking camp, and on tasks related to the purpose of the Expedition.

Examples of Expeditions

• Complete a demanding journey by foot, cycle or canoe/kayak
• Investigating group dynamics in challenging conditions
• Kayaking the entire navigable stretch of a river
• Dog-sledding, snowshoeing or winter camping

 

C) OTHER ADVENTUROUS JOURNEYS

Occasionally, a significant Expedition or Exploration involving extra innovations, creativity and challenge may take place. In such circumstances, the advice of the group leader or provincial regional office is required. The additional stipulation is that all participants must be aged 18 or over. It is also the case that significant Adventurous Journeys, such as scaling a Himalayan peak, would require the advice and assistance, usually at cost, of an external provider such as a reliable expedition company. All Other Adventurous Journeys require prior approval from your local Award office.

Examples of Other Adventurous Journeys

• Extensive sail across an ocean
• Climbing an Alpine, Himalayan or other high mountainous peak
• Cycling from one end of a country to another or from coast to coast

 

2. All Explorations, Expeditions, and Other Adventurous Journeys must have a clearly defined and preconceived purpose which may vary from the successful completion of a demanding journey to the satisfactory conclusion of a practical investigation.

3. The duration of the journey, and the required hours to be spent on planned activity, will depend on the level of The Award:

	Practice Journey  duration	Qualifying Journey  duration	Hours of planned  daily activity
Bronze	1 full day out	2 days, 1 night	6 hours/day
Silver	2 days, 1 night	3 days, 2 nights	7 hours/day
Gold	2 days, 1 night	4 days, 3 nights	8 hours/day

 

Suggested distance for various modes of travel in Expeditions are as follows:

Mode	On foot (hiking)	Nordic skiing	Horseback	Cycling
Bronze	20 km	35 km	50 km	85 km
Silver	40 km	65 km	100 km	165 km
Gold	60 km	95 km	165 km	250 km

This list is only a guide and is not intended to restrict the choice of mode of travel. It is recognized that other modes of travel such as canoeing, sailing, kayaking, rock climbing and dog-sledding are best measured by duration rather than distance. Leaders and assessors should also take into account the nature of the terrain and climatic conditions.

4. Other Adventurous Journeys, which may be described as expeditionary or exploratory, may be allowed provided that prior approval has been obtained from an Award office.

5. The environment chosen must be appropriate to the purpose of the journey. For Silver and Gold participants, the environment chosen must be unfamiliar.

6. During the qualifying journey, the team needs to be no fewer than four and not more than seven young people, operating independently of others.

7. In the planning / training stage for each journey, each individual must undertake a share of the general organization of the journey, including submission of the planned route to the assessor for approval. It is imperative that, for trips into unfamiliar territory, training for each participant be completed prior to the journey. Examples of appropriate training include safety precautions, map reading, map and compass use, first aid, cooking, and wildlife awareness. An outline of the training to be under taken and of the practice journeys must be submitted to the assessor at the same time as the plan for the qualifying journey. Due account must be given to seasonal and terrain conditions. Any assistance given to participants should be appropriate to the Award level.

8. For all journeys including practice journeys, suitable clothing and footwear must be worn and equipment and spare clothing appropriate to the nature of the journey must be carried. Participants should be knowledgeable in the proper use and care of all items of equipment.

Note:

A detailed Route Card outlining the planned route and time table of the journey, as well as an alternate emergency route, must be submitted to the assessor before the journey. Relevant medical information on each participant should also be given to the assessor prior to any journey.

9. Nights away should be spent camping but, where appropriate, participants may make use of youth hostels, huts, barns or similar accommodations. Tents should be isolated or on small sites. Hostels and huts should be relatively remote. For Expeditions, different sites should, when possible, be used each night (see also paragraph 1a). For Explorations, the same site may be used more than once if the nature of the journey so requires, in which case full equipment need not be carried on intermediate days.

10. When camping, food is normally carried by participants but fresh produce may be purchased during the journey. At least one hot cooked meal must be prepared each day.

11. Practice Journey(s) - Prior to their qualifying journey, all participants are required to carry out practice journeys which may be accompanied by experienced adults. Practice journeys need not be of the same duration and must not be over the same route but conditions should otherwise approximate as closely as possible those anticipated for the qualifying journey, and should include at least one night out (except Bronze). Requirements for practice journeys vary depending on the level (see chart above in #3).

12. Reports are required and are to be submitted for assessment along through the On-Line Record Book, on completion of the Award level. We recommend the use of the Guidelines, outlined in this chapter, in preparing Adventurous Journey reports.

13. All journeys will adhere to the Wilderness Code of Behaviour as outlined.

 

GOAL

​ To develop social adaptability through involvement with others in a group setting.

 

OBJECTIVE

​The intention is to involve participants in a planned project or training in the company of their peers who are not their usual everyday companions with whom they live or work. The Project should provide opportunities to develop maturity and to accept responsibility.

 

REQUIREMENTS

​1. The Residential Project is an additional requirement at the Gold level. However, you may undertake the Residential Project at any time after you register for The Award if you are 16 years of age or older regardless of Award level.

2. Involvement is normally to extend over a total period of not less than five consecutive days (four nights away). Young people having only limited holidays may spread this over a series of weekends provided that they spend at least four nights away, that the weekends fall within a twelve month period, that the same activity is followed, and that progressive training or experience is provided. Involvement must be undertaken on a volunteer basis.

3. Others taking part in the Residential Project should not include more than a minority of the young person’s usual companions in school, work or youth groups.

4. The activities undertaken are to provide opportunities for broadening the interests and experience of participants. They may be related to those being followed in other sections of the Programme and may form part of the appropriate Programme or training – with the sole exception of the qualifying journey in the Adventurous Journey.

5. The type of Residential experience is to be a young person’s own choice.

6. Courses undertaken as part of education or vocation training may be counted provided that they fulfill all requirements and that attendance makes demands on genuine leisure time.

 

ASSESSMENT

​In all cases, it must be possible to arrange for assessment by a suitable person, approved by the participating group leader (if appropriate), who should be present during the period of residence. Young people are to be assessed on their personal standards, relationships with others, acceptance of responsibility, initiative, and general progress during the residential period having regard, in the case of service rendered, to the comments of the organization concerned.

 

EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS

​• The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Exchanges
• Encounters with Canada - Recontres du Canada
• The National Student Commonwealth Forum
• School exchange trips
• Provincial / National sport camps or training schools
• Language immersions
• National / International Scout or Guide Jamboree
• Leadership development programmes or courses (e.g. through YMCA / YWCA)
• Forum for Young Canadians
• Religious conferences
• Music camps or festivals
• Cadet camps and development courses
• Outward Bound Courses
• Youth conferences and seminars (e.g. Youth Parliament)
• Overseas assignments (e.g. CUSO)
• Church sponsored events (e.g. encounter weeks)
• Scout Wood Badge training
• Counsellor-in-Training Program
• Drama festivals
• Tall Ships Training Expeditions
• Archeological digs or restorations
• Other youth camps and training courses

Note: The Residential Project is a requirement at the Gold level. However you may take part in and qualify for it, at any time during your Award as long as you are 16 years or older.

 

AWARD STRUCTURE AND TIME REQUIREMENTS

REGISTRATION FEES

​There is a registration fee of $30 at each level of The Award (Bronze, Silver, Gold). Participants must pay the registration fee prior to starting their Award and before progressing to the next level. These registration fees are made payable to the awards division where the participant is registered.

 

TIME REQUIREMENTS

As the Award programme is of individual challenge, participants are encouraged to work at their own pace. The Award is referred to as a marathon, not a sprint. Subject to the maximum age limit, participants can take as long as they want to complete their Award. In Service, Skills and Physical Recreation sections, participants are required to participate regularly in their chosen activity. There is no absolute rule as to what is considered regular participation, as the amount of time dedicated to an activity will depend on many things, including the activity itself and the participant’s own circumstances. However, on average, participants should spend at least one hour per week on their chosen activity. No more than a four week break may be taken at any level.

The Award cannot be achieved in a shorter time span by working more intensely; the objective is to develop a sense of commitment to a given task over time. Participants must persist at a specific level for at least these minimum periods:

The completion date of one Award level marks the start date of the next. Those who have completed the Bronze can make a start on the next higher Award before the stipulated ages, without imposing an artificial delay. Participants must be 16 years of age to begin the Gold level. The earliest minimum age for qualification (completion) for each Award, regardless of the starting age, is:

These qualifying ages are the absolute minimum and all participants should be encouraged to set their own pace, which may inevitably mean taking a bit longer.

 

CONCEPT OF VOLUNTARY TIME

1. Participation in the Programme is to be a young person’s voluntary choice.

2. Activities that form part of a school curriculum may generally not be counted towards an Award. It is recognized that the wide range of activities from which young people may choose in the Skills Section inevitably includes a number of interests and occupations associated with subjects forming part of school curricula, vocational training or study courses of some kind. The same may be said of some aspects of the training required of participants in the Service, Adventurous Journey and Physical Recreation Sections.

3. It is not the intention that such interests or occupations should be excluded, but that, in addition to whatever instruction or training may be acquired during school or work time, young people must show clear evidence of additional voluntary effort in their own time.

4. Participants receiving pay at organized camps may not use camp activities for qualification in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (a training bonus for cadets at a summer camp does not constitute pay).

Additional information can be found here...

 

INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT  

THE ASSESSOR'S ROLE

The assessor plays an important role in your Award programme, and you will have a few different assessors over the course of your Award experience. When choosing your assessor for each section of your Award, ensure they have knowledge and experience in that section, and will be available not just to sign off on your completed Award requirements but be able to check in with you as you progress through the weeks of activity for that section.

 

WHO CAN BE AN ASSESSOR?

• Coaches
• Trainers
• Workshop / clinic instructors
• Guide leaders
• Scout leaders
• Martial arts mentors
• Professors
• Teaching assistants
• Volunteer coordinators
• Skills instructors
• Trip leaders

 

INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT

​1. Instruction must be given by suitably experienced or qualified persons, as required by the separate conditions for each Award.

2. Assessment is to be undertaken by qualified persons approved by participating groups in accordance with the separate conditions for each Award. An assessor is an adult in the community who is knowledgeable and experienced in the particular Skill or activity to be evaluated.

3. A concerted effort should be made by participants to have different assessors for each of the four sections (five for Gold).

 

THE ASSESSOR'S REPORT

​To achieve an Award, the participant must show what activities they have done, what progress they have made in that activity, and how well they have met their goal(s) for that Award section (Service, Skills, Physical Recreation, Adventurous Journey, Residential Project). As a participant, you can involve your assessor at the beginning of your Award activities and they can help you decide what goals to set, and give advice and encouragement along the way.
When you have completed your time requirements for each Award section, your assessor should complete the assessor section in your Record Book. The assessor's report should include the following:

• Comments on how well the participant has met their goals and made progress.
• Confirmation of any training or qualifications accomplished during the completion of the Award section.
• Positive or celebratory comments on the participant's accomplishments (the assessments are part of the participant's Award record).

 Additional information can be found here...

 

WILDERNESS CODE OF BEHAVIOUR

Topics include:

• Planning Your Trip
• Travelling
• Camping and Shelters
• Campfires and Precautions
• Human Waste
• Other Waste
• Wildlife and Natural Foods
• Cleaning up Other's Mistakes 

 Additional information can be found here...

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

 

Can you count prior trips or community service toward the DoE award?

No, sorry. The Award aims to encourage participants to further develop skills and acheive new goals. Prior activities occuring before registration, thought admirable, do not qualify for the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

 

Can you clarify who my “Assessors” are?

One routine individual evaluating you per section.

 

I’m registered for Bronze and would like to pursue Silver or Gold levels. Can I switch?

Yes, simply let your Award Leader know and we can make the necessary changes.

 

Will my weeks already completed for my Bronze award transfer over to the new Silver or Gold criteria?

Yes!

 

Will my summer vacation count towards any of the Duke of Edinburgh Award?

Well…..maybe. The Award is organized in a manner that follows very specific planning and outdoor experience for all trips and journeys. Check with your Award Leader to determine if your summer plans qualify for the Award.