Duke of Edinburgh's Award

The Air Training Corps is the largest body involved in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. The Award is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities for young people aged 14-25.

There are three levels of programme you can do which, when you've successfully completed lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The main differences between them are the minimum length of time it takes to complete them, how challenging it is and the minimum age you can start.

Depending on your age, you are free to start at any level but most people prefer to try for Bronze and work upwards. There are age restrictions for each one so it makes sense to build yourself up rather than dive in at the deep end.

Don’t forget, you have until your 25th birthday to complete whichever level you’re working on and achieve an Award.

You achieve an Award by completing a personal programme of activities in four sections (five if you're going for Gold).

These sections are:

Volunteering - helping someone, your community or the environment

Physical - becoming fitter through sport, dance or fitness activities

Skills - developing existing talents or trying something new

Expedition - planning, training for and completing an adventurous journey

Residential (Gold only) - staying and working away from home as part of a team

The length of time you have to spend on each section depends on the level of programme you're doing.

Why Bother With the Award?

You’ll enjoy loads of new experiences, discover talents you never thought you had, challenge yourself and meet loads of people just like you. Plus you’ll do things you love and get a kick out of. It’s a real buzz!

Then there’s all the other stuff…

…like the fact that achieving an Award will give you skills, confidence and a view on life that everyone is looking for, from employers to colleges and universities.

...you're getting recognised for doing things you want to do (and may even be doing already).

...plus you’ll make a difference to other people’s lives and your community, be fitter and healthier, make new friends and have memories to last you a lifetime.

And above all, it's a great laugh!

For more information on the The Award, please visit www.dofe.org