The Duke of Edinburgh award, commonly known as ‘DofE’, is an award setup by Prince Philip in 1956 for young people aged 14-25. It aims to give participants the opportunity to extend their development and build new skills by taking up a range of challenges. Teens can participate in the Bronze, Silver and Gold award if they’d like to go the extra mile in their self development (and uni applications).
What does it involve?
Each award includes 4 activity sections:
1. Physical
Each participant should commit to a physical activity at least once per week over three months or more. This section is built to improve fitness and try something new, so it’s a great opportunity for your teen to take up an activity they’ve been meaning to try. This could be anything from swimming lessons to jogging around the park—anything that gets them up and moving! Throughout this section, participants learn about healthy living habits and how exercise can be rewarding for both body and mind.
2. Volunteering
One of the best ways to connect with your community is to get involved in volunteering. This section is designed for teens to give back and dedicate some of their time towards helping others. It’s a great way to meet new people and explore an area they’re interested in.
What can I do for DofE volunteering?
A few volunteering ideas for DofE could be:
– Helping out at arts and crafts workshops
– Going back to their primary school as a volunteer classroom assistant
– Signing up to a local environmental group
3. Skill
This section focuses on developing new skills outside of school such as music lessons, learning a language, or taking cooking classes. Participants are encouraged to take part in activities they enjoy while learning valuable skills they will use throughout their lives.
4. Expedition
Probably the most popular part of the DofE and why many participants decide to take part. Teens are brought together into small groups to conquer the English countryside – compasses, camping and all. They’ll have to navigate their way from Point A to Point B with nothing more than their maps, but don’t worry – teams will have sessions ahead of the expedition to help them prepare. As well as this, they’ll plan their own route together and get full guidance on what to expect and what they’ll need to bring.
Do you get UCAS points for DofE?
Sadly not. However, your teen can boast about their experiences and the skills they learned throughout the award when writing their personal statement. This is a vital part of their university application and course leaders are often impressed with extra curricular activities.
Can you do Silver DofE without Bronze?
Before attempting the Silver award, teens must first have successfully completed the Bronze. This makes sure that participants have a solid foundation of knowledge and experience to tackle the more advanced stages in Silver and also, later on, the Gold award.
How much does DofE cost?
Taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh award costs just £24 for Bronze and £31 for Silver and Gold. Some schools may add extra fees to cover admin costs. Any activities your teen takes part in during the different sections, such as expedition equipment or a gym membership, are additional costs.
How to apply for DofE
Taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh is an opportunity offered by most schools. If your teen is interested in taking part, encourage them to ask their teachers for more information. They’ll be assigned a DofE leader who they’ll be organising the awards for their school. Although their leader will be responsible for overseeing the program, it’ll be up to your teen to choose their activities. This gives them full freedom to choose activities that they want to do, with full support and suggestions if needed.
Is DofE worth it?
Completing any of the Duke of Edinburgh award stages is a great way for teens to build self confidence, problem-solving skills and independence. These soft skills balance nicely with the academic knowledge they’re building at school, giving teens a well-rounded set of tools to tackle any challenges that come their way.