GOLD AWARD
Welcome to The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

A message from HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Buckingham Palace
"I hope that in taking part in the Award you will discover fresh interests and make new friends, and find satisfaction in giving service to others. There are many worthwhile activities from which you can make a choice and I hope that those which you decide to do will give you pleasure and increase your knowledge of the world and yourself."

INTRODUCTION

Aim
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award aims to provide an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development for young people, which is of the highest quality and the widest reach.

Key Principles: the key principles which underpin all aspects of the Award's delivery are:

Non-competitive
The Award is a personal challenge and not a competition against others. Each participant's programme is tailor-made to reflect their individual starting point, abilities and interests.

Available to all
With a commitment to equal opportunities, the Award Programme is available to all young people who choose to take up its challenge.

Voluntary
Young people make a free choice to enter the programme and commit their own time to undertake the activities.

Flexible
Young people design their own programme, which can be geared to their choice and personal circumstances and also to local provision. They may enter for whichever level of Award best suits them and may take as long as they wish to complete an Award.

Balanced
By choosing activities in each of four different Sections (five at Gold), participants undertake a balanced and wide ranging programme.

Progressive
At each level, the Award Programme demands more time and an increasing degree of commitment, and responsibility from the participant.

Achievement focused
Before starting an activity, you are encouraged to set your own goals. If you aim for those goals and show improvement, you will achieve your Award.

Marathon, not a sprint
The Award demands persistence and commitment and cannot be completed in a short burst of enthusiasm. You may want to continue with activities beyond the minimum time requirements set out for each level of the Award.

Personal development
The Award is a programme of personal and social development. The value to young people is dependent on personal commitment, the learning process and the quality of the experience.

Enjoyable
You, and those who help you, should find participation enjoyable and satisfying.

BENEFITS
Taking part in the Award should provide opportunities to develop:
- self-belief
- self-confidence
- a sense of identity
- independence of thought and action
- a sense of responsibility
- an awareness of your potential
- new talents and abilities
- an understanding of your strengths and weaknesses
- the ability to plan and use time effectively
- the ability to learn from and give to others in the community
- new relationships
- skills, including problem solving, presentation and communication
- the ability to lead and work as part of a team


SERVICE

Aim
To encourage service to individuals and to the community.

Principles/Requirements
This Section is based on the belief that members of a community have a responsibility to each other and voluntary help is needed.

You should identify the voluntary service required, gain some knowledge of the needs of those whom you are assisting and then receive briefing and training in the necessary skills required to give that service. The value of participation in the Service Section comes from the training, giving practical service, and appreciating the needs of the community.

Benefits
Although the specific benefits depend on the choice of activity, the Service Section should provide opportunities to:
- make a personal contribution
- appreciate the needs of others and contribute to their well-being
- trust and be trusted
- understand personal strengths and weaknesses
- increase self-esteem
- overcome prejudice and fears
- generate positive action in the community
- accept responsibility


SKILLS

Aim
To encourage the discovery and development of practical and social skills and personal interests.

Principles/Requirements
This Section should encourage you to pursue activities within a wide range of practical, cultural and social environments. The Skills Section offers you a wide choice depending upon your personal preferences, abilities and the opportunities available. Your skill may be an existing interest, or something entirely new.

You should follow an activity and show progression and
sustained interest over a period of time, leading to a deeper knowledge of the subject and an increased degree of skill.

Benefits
Although the specific benefits will depend on the choice made, the Skills Section should provide opportunities to:
- develop practical and social skills
- meet new people
- organise and manage your time
- discover how to research information
- set and respond to a challenge
- work with others
- enjoy sharing an activity
- discover new talents


PHYSICAL RECREATION

Aim
To encourage participation and improvement in physical activity.

Principles/Requirements
This Section offers a wide range of programmes in the belief that:
- involvement in some form of enjoyable physical activity is essential for physical well-being
- a lasting sense of achievement and satisfaction is derived from meeting a physical challenge
- sports are enjoyable in themselves and can lead to the establishment of a lasting active lifestyle
- you should have the opportunity to make a choice, then discuss and agree a personal programme of participation and achievement

Benefits
The Physical Recreation Section should provide opportunities to:
- enjoy keeping fit
- improve fitness
- discover new abilities
- raise self-esteem
- extend personal goals
- set and respond to a challenge
- experience a sense of achievement

Assessment
You will be assessed on:
- effort shown
- progress made, based on your initial knowledge and ability
- improvement in application, technique, skill, tactics, fitness and knowledge of rules and safety


EXPEDITIONS

Aim
To encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery.

Principles
All ventures involve self-reliant journeying in the countryside or on water, conceived with a purpose and undertaken by your own physical efforts, without motorised assistance.

The venture must present you with a challenge in terms of purpose, planning and achievement with minimum external intervention. You should undertake training and practice journeys, and then complete a qualifying venture.

The venture involves:
- enterprise and imagination in concept
- forethought, careful attention to detail and organisational ability in preparation
- preparatory training, both theoretical and practical, leading to the ability to journey safely in the chosen environment
- shared responsibility for the venture, leadership from within the group, self-reliance and co-operation amongst those taking part
- determination in implementation
- review of the venture in relation to its purpose

Benefits
This Section should provide opportunities to:
- plan and execute a task
- demonstrate enterprise and imagination
- work as a member of a team
- respond to a challenge
- develop self-reliance
- develop leadership skills
- recognise the needs and strengths of others
- make decisions and accept the consequences
- reflect on personal performance
- enjoy and appreciate the countryside

Assessment
You will be assessed on your contribution to the group's venture, debrief, review and presentation. Attention will be paid to individual and group effort and commitment.

Preliminary Training
• First aid and emergency procedures
• An awareness of risk and health and safety issues
• Navigation and route planning
• Campcraft, equipment and hygiene
• Food and cooking
• Country, Highway and Water Sports Codes (where appropriate)
• Observation, recording and purpose
• Team building
• Proficiency in the mode of travel