The Duke of Edinburgh Award

Hardeep Singh (14) spent a week at the Young Scot head office in Edinburgh on work experience and whilst he was here shared his experiences of participating in The Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Read on to find out what completing an award is like.

Hardeep shared his thoughts...

You may of heard of the DofE (Duke of Edinburgh) Award, but don't know what it is or whether it's for you. Well, it's for everyone who likes a challenge. Their mission is simple - 'to inspire, guide and support young people in their self-development, and recognise their achievements'.
If you're 14 or over, then you can begin!

There are three levels which, when successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold DofE Award. And it's never too late to get in on the action - depending on your age you may be able to jump straight in at Silver or Gold level!

There are four sections at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. You have to do volunteering, physical, skills, expedition and residential only if you’re doing gold. I have now completed my Bronze award and now going ahead with my Silver.

Why did you do a Duke of Edinburgh Award?

I decided to do a Duke of Edinburgh Award because when I first heard of it, it sounded really exciting, and it was a great experience working and communicating with other people. It will also help you in the future because it is recognised in a lot of companies globally and it will look great on your CV!

Is it difficult?

It is quite difficult when you are learning new skills; especially when you are on the expedition by yourselves and you get lost due to losing concentration when it’s raining really heavily. I found the physical part difficult because we were learning how to snowboard and I can tell you it’s not as easy as it looks!

What did you do in the Bronze Award?

I’m doing my Duke of Edinburgh through my school, so it is like one of my subjects. In the Bronze Award for physical we did Snowboarding and Skiing at a place just near my school. For my Skills we learned how to navigate safely which was like learn how to thumb rail the map, use key points. For my volunteering I helped out at a local badminton club and taught young people.

Finally, for the expedition phase we learned how to put tents up, use cookers, and make camp fires and what to do in an emergency. We did our qualifying expedition in Succoth, Argyle and Bute in May 2011. Whilst learning a lot of this it is a good laugh with your friends. In the Bronze Award I learned so many things which I thought I would never learn if I hadn’t chose to do it.

Do you think that you will use the skills learnt in the future?

Yes, I have used some the skills since then. I worked in a team and led the group on the expedition; I am now more confident in working in a group and have used this at school.

What made you go on and do the Silver?

I wanted to carry on doing the course due to me learning so much in the Bronze Award and it being so much fun. I heard it was good for future employers if you complete the whole thing so that is also why I wanted to carry on.

What you recommend Duke of Edinburgh to other young people?

I think more people should join the Duke of Edinburgh award because it’s a great opportunity for you to learn all different types of skills which will help you when in the future. You also make loads of new friends and if you complete the course it will look amazing on your CV.

Do you think you will do your Gold Award?

Yes, I would like to finish the entire course.