DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD IN NEW SOUTH WALES

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT ? The Award concept is one of individual challenge It presents you with a balanced, non-competitive program of voluntary activities which encourage personal discovery and growth, self-reliance, perseverance, responsibility to yourself and service to your community

SOME BACKGROUND… Began in the UK in 1956 and has been operating in NSW since 1962 Offered in over 100 countries Over 6 million participants globally have undertaken the Award Approximately 9000 Record Books issued in 05/06 About young people have gained the Award since the program started in NSW Over 8000 have achieved the prestigious Gold Award in NSW

AWARD PHILOSOPHY Non competitive –set your own personal challenge Available to all –anyone can do it ! Voluntary –it’s up to you what you do - it’s your leisure time Flexible –your program is designed by you for you Balanced –it will develop you in all directions Progressive –you improve at your own pace and level Highly achievable –anyone can gain an Award with perseverance

THREE LEVELS BRONZE 14 yrs and over SILVER 15 yrs and over GOLD 16 yrs and over You have up to your 25 th birthday to complete Award activities

FOUR SECTIONS ServiceSkills Physical Recreation Adventurous Journeys

SERVICE To develop a sense of community awareness and service to others EXAMPLES:  Conservation and bush regeneration/ tree planting  Emergency – SES, Rural Fire Service  First Aid  Fund raising  Helping at a Day Care Centre/ After School Care/ Children’s home  Hospital/ Nursing Home visiting  Library assistant  Life Saving / Surf Life Saving  Litter reduction/ cleanup campaigns  Meals on Wheels  Working in an Opportunity Shop  Volunteering for the RSPCA/WIRES  Youth leadership

SERVICE REQUIREMENTS BRONZE: 1 hour per week (av) over at least 3 months * SILVER: 1 hour per week (av) over at least 6 months * GOLD: 1 hour per week (av) over at least 12 months * Participation must be regular (ie. at least once a fortnight)

SKILLS To encourage the development of personal interests and practical skills EXAMPLES: art, cartooning, chess, coaching, collecting, computers, cooking, crafts, creative writing, debating, dog training, drama, fishing, flower arranging, flying, gardening, languages, magic, meditation, metalwork, model construction, music, painting, pet care, photography, pottery, public speaking, reading, sculpting, script writing, singing, theatre studies, typing, video production

SKILLS REQUIREMENTS BRONZE: 1 hour per week (av) over at least 3 months * SILVER: 1 hour per week (av) over at least 6 months * GOLD: 1 hour per week (av) over at least 12 months * Must be non-physical (no sweat!) Participation must be regular (ie at least once a fortnight)

PHYSICAL RECREATION To encourage participation in physical recreation and improvement of performance. EXAMPLES: aerobics, archery, athletics, basketball, baseball, cricket, cycling, dance, fitness, golf, gymnastics, hockey, ice skating, kayaking, lawn bowls, martial arts, netball, orienteering, Pilates, rock climbing, rowing, rugby, running, skateboarding, soccer, softball, squash, surfing, swimming, tennis, yoga, volleyball, walking, water polo, weight training

PHYSICAL RECREATION REQUIREMENTS BRONZE: 1 hour per week (av) over at least 3 months * SILVER: 1 hour per week (av) over at least 6 months * GOLD: 1 hour per week (av) over at least 12 months * Participation must be regular (ie at least once a fortnight)

MINIMUM TIMESCALE FOR EACH LEVEL BY SECTION ServiceSkillsPhysical Recreation Plus: BRONZE3 months All participants must do an extra 3 months in either Service or Skills or Physical Recreation SILVER6 months Non-Bronze holders must do an extra 6 months in either Service or Skills or Physical Recreation GOLD12 months Non-Silver holders must do an extra 6 months in either Service or Skills or Physical Recreation These are minimum time requirements expressed in whole months, during which there should be regular commitment averaging at least 1 hour per week

EXPEDITIONS To encourage the spirit of adventure and discovery EXAMPLES: Bushwalking boating canoeing cycling horse riding mountain biking 4WD

EXPEDITION REQUIREMENTS BRONZE: 2 days and 1 night (1 practice and 1 qualifying venture) SILVER: 3 days and 2 nights (1 practice and 1 qualifying venture) GOLD: 4 days and 3 nights ( 1 practice and 1 qualifying venture) An extra practice is required if mode of travel is changed or previous level not completed

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION It’s a fantastic opportunity –build the award around activities and hobbies you are already involved in or start something completely new –meet new people and make great friends –have adventure and challenge yourself It’s enjoyable –it’s about getting out there and having FUN !!!! Enhance your personal development –Improve your teamwork, perseverance, generosity, self-discipline, compassion, patience, courage, responsibility, tolerance, self-reliance, independence and determination Looks great on your CV –highly regarded by employers An internationally recognised Award

FAQ ! Do school or work activities count? No. Award activities must be done in your spare time. You may choose to continue a school based activity (eg woodwork, computers) in your own time. However, the hours at school or work can not be counted towards your Award. Can I count any activities I was involved in before I started the Award? No, you cannot count any activities prior to official entry into the Award. Can I do my Award in conjunction with Scouts / Girls Brigade / Cadets etc? Yes, in fact the Award encourages participants to use their involvement with these groups as a basis for gaining an Award. What sort of things can I do? Almost anything, you are only limited by your imagination. How difficult is it? The Awards are not difficult and are within the reach of everybody. However, the programme is designed to challenge you and requires a degree of commitment and effort. It can be as demanding as you choose to make it. It’s a marathon not a sprint - a process not a prize - it’s the taking part that matters - Award is the icing on the cake

GETTING STARTED ON THE AWARD Discuss participation with your parents or guardians – return any required permission notes to your organisation See your “Dukes” Coordinator with any initial permission / authorisation completed (if required) Develop your Award Plan – organise your activities and discuss with Section Supervisors / Assessors Collect blue registration card – complete and return with registration fee (which includes insurance) Receive your Record Book – this is your official record of your progress through the Award You’re all set to go!

RESIDENTIAL (Gold level only) To broaden experience through involvement with others in a residential setting Requirements –5 consecutive days –Not your usual companions –Away from home –Some service or training activity should be undertaken –Assessment should be by a suitable person at the residential setting