Duke of Edinburgh
The Scout Association is is a recognised provider of the Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh awards and Dorset has qualified leaders to deliver the scheme to its young people.
The scheme is closely aligned with the highest scouting awards. Therefore, we encourage our young people to register for the DofE award as well and achieve both awards. It all adds to great adventures followed by a great CV.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an integral part of Scouting for those aged 14 to 25, and the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards support a number of the requirements required to complete the Chief Scout’s Platinum Award, Chief Scout’s Diamond Award, and the Queen’s Scout Award.
Click on ‘The Adventure Begins’ image for more details.
The Awards
There are three Duke of Edinburgh Awards; Bronze, Silver and Gold, with a lower age limit for each award of 14, 15, and 16 respectively and the upper age limit for all awards of 25. There is the option to permit young people to start their Bronze Award three months before their 14th birthday if they are working with a group who are mainly 14 or over. Subject to the age requirements, participants may enter the Award at whatever level is best suited to them. If they progress through the Awards, some reduction in time requirements are given for higher Awards.
Each of the DofE Awards is divided into four sections; Volunteering (Service), Physical, Skills, and Expedition. For the Gold Award there is an additional section – Residential.
The date of enrolment is the starting point of any Award, therefore it is important that young people are enrolled before starting similar Scout activities. Also note that any badges gained or activities achieved before enrolling into the DofE programme will not count.
Enrolling for an Award
To enrol and start any of the awards, you need to complete an Enrolment Form. Your leader will be sent your welcome pack so please be sure to enter the details clearly. Please also ensure you add a contact email address on the form as user login details will automatically be sent to that address at the point of registration.
There is a charge by DofE – details can be found on the form. Whilst enrolled you get a DofE rewards card which gives you discount at relevant shops such as Cotswold Outdoors.
Completing the Awards
Everyone’s progress is tracked using an online system known as eDofE and accessible from their website.
If you volunteer within scouting as either a Young Leaders or an Adult Leader, you can count this toward the volunteering section of a Duke of Edinburgh Award, subject to the enrolment date.
Andy Miles (dofe@dorsetscouts.org.uk) is the County DofE Advisor and can support leaders delivering DofE in their district and young people completing the awards.
Go for it!
Our scouts develop many of the skills needed throughout their time in scouting so often find the awards easier than their school peers. Believe in yourself, go for it. Scouting will support you all the way.
Aim high…. achieve the Gold Award and you’re a large part of the way to becoming a King’s Scout. Get the King’s Scout Award and you get invited to the annual celebration at Windsor Castle.
