What is the D of E?

The D of E is a Programme designed for young people between the ages of 14 – 25 years.

As a member of The Scout Network you can participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (D of E) as well as Scouting Awards.

There are 3 levels to the D of E: Bronze, Silver and Gold. These are linked into the Chief Scout’s Platinum, Diamond and Queen’s Scout Awards (respectively).

What do I have to do?
At each level of the Award you are required to participate in 4 Sections: Service, Skill, Physical Recreation and Expedition with the addition of a Residential Project for the Gold Award.

Bronze Award (14 + years)

Service	Skills	Physical Recreation	Expeditions
3 months	3 months	3 months	Plan, prepare for and undertake a 2 day, 1 night venture
All Participants must undertake a further 3 months in either the Service, Skill or Physical Recreation Sections.

Silver Award (15 + years)

Service	Skills	Physical Recreation	Expeditions
6 months	One Section for 12 months and the other Section for 6 months		Plan, prepare for and undertake a 3 day, 2 night venture
Direct entrants must undertake a further 6 months in either the Service or the longer of the Skill or Physical Recreation Sections.

Gold Award (16 + years)

Service	Skills	Physical Recreation	Expeditions	Residential
12 months	One Section for 12 months and the other Section for 6 months		Plan, prepare for 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 a further 6 months in either the Service, Skill or Physical Recreation Sections.

How do I get started?

Step 1    Decide what level you want to work on (this will depend on your age, time commitments etc).
Step 2    Contact your District / County D of E Adviser (if in England) or your Country Office (if in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland) to register. Your Explorer Scout Leader or County Scout Network Commissioner will be able to point you in their direction.
Step 3    Decide, with your Leader, what you are going to do for each section of the Award.
Step 4    Get going on the Award, keep a record of what you are doing and don’t forget to get people to write statements to support your efforts.
Step 5    Once you have finished your Awards, contact your District / County D of E Adviser/ or Country Office who will arrange for the Award to be processed.

How long will it take?

The minimum time requirements for each Section are expressed in months, during which you need to undertake a regular commitment averaging at least an hour a week.
You have until your 25th birthday to complete any of the Awards, but it takes: at least 6 months at Bronze, at least 12 months at Silver and at least 18 months at Gold for direct entrants.

What will it cost?

In order to register you need to get a record pack:
Bronze = £10.50 + postage
Silver = £10.50 + postage
Gold = £15.75 + postage
Whilst doing you award you may incur cost for attending clubs, going on expeditions and attending a residential, these will all vary depending on what you chose to do for each section.

Who can help me with this?

If you are in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland you can get help and advice from your Country Headquarters.
In England you can get advice from County D of E Advisers or from the Award Officer at Gilwell Park.
County / Area Scout Network Commissioner are also available to help with your Award.

What do I get at the end of it?

Everyone who completes an Award gets a certificate and badge, at Bronze and Silver level these are presented locally. At Gold level the badge is presented locally, but the certificate is presented nationally at a reception at a Royal Palace. In addition to the D of E badges you are entitled to wear a Scout cloth D of E badge on your uniform.

What can I do for each section of the Award?

The D of E publish lists of acceptable activities for each Section of the Award, these can be found in the Programmes File or at www.theaward.org.uk

Service

This section aims to encourage Service to individuals and to the community.
This needs to be voluntary and may require some training in order to complete this section effectively.
Andrew from North London completed his Service Section by helping with his local Scout Troop and gaining his Wood Badge as a Section Leader.
Robert from Surrey became a member of his local campsite service crew to complete his Service Section.
Ben from Hampshire, as a Scout Network member helped his local Explorer Scouts complete their Bronze Awards.

Skill

This section aims to encourage the discovery and development of practical and social skills and personal interests.
The activity you chose should allow you to show progression and sustained interest over a period of time in your chosen skill.
Ellie from North London helped to restore a mini for her Skill Section of the Award.
Richard from Lancashire learnt to drive and passed his driving test for his Skill Section of the Award.
Nicola from Coventry took part in her local Scout Show to develop her drama skills and complete the Skills Section.

Physical Recreation

This section aims to encourage participation and improvement in physical activity.

The activity you chose should be physically demanding as well as being enjoyable.
Matt from North London learnt to ball room dance for his Physical Recreation Section of the Award.
Richard from Cambridgeshire took developed his fencing skills for his Physical Recreation Section.
Brian from Dorset improved his ability of Snowboarding over a period of time in order to complete his Physical Recreation Section.

Expedition

This section aims to encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery by preparing for and carrying out an adventurous journey as part of a Team. The journey should be in the countryside or on the water, by foot, cycle, horse, canoe, boat or dinghy. Andrew, Matt, Ellie and Daniel all planned and took part in an expedition in Northern Ireland for the Expedition Section of their Gold Award.

Residential Project (Gold Only)

This section aims to broaden young people’s experiences through involvement with others in a residential setting. The project should have some form of purpose and be in an unfamiliar environment with people you don’t already know.

Daniel from North London took part in Camp America for his Residential Project.
Jeni from Oxfordshire took part in an offshore sailing trip for her Residential Project.
David from Northampton took part in an international jamboree as a member of the service team for his Residential Project.