The Duke of Edinburgh's Award

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (commonly abbreviated DofE), is a programme of activities that can be undertaken by anyone aged 14 to 24, regardless of personal ability. DofE programmes can on average take anywhere between 1 year and 3-4 years to complete, depending upon the route taken - all programmes must be completed by the participant's 25th birthday. Around 275,000 participants are taking part in their DofE Programme at any time in the United Kingdom. The DofE is also run in other countries by the International Award Association, such as The President's Award which is common throughout The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

History

A pilot award scheme "for Boys" started in 1956, with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh as chairman. The award borrowed from the Moray Badge, instituted at Gordonstoun School by its headmaster, Kurt Hahn, in 1934, and the County Badge adopted in Moray in 1941. The first Gold Awards were made in 1958, when a parallel scheme "for Girls" was piloted, and the charity was established in 1959. A combined scheme for "Young People" aged 14 to 21 was launched in 1969, and extended to those up to 25 in 1980.

The DofE Award

The concept of the DofE is simple – anyone aged between 14 and 24 can do a programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

There are four sections at Bronze and Silver level...
Read More