Greater London South West Scouting

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

What is The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award?

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities, designed to support the personal and social development of young people aged 14-25, regardless of gender, background or ability. It offers an individual challenge and encourages young people to undertake exciting, constructive, challenging and enjoyable activities in their free time.

It is a five-Section Programme with three progressive levels:

The sections involve:

Further information is available at www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/dofe/.

How do I...

...enrol in the Award?

If you wish to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award you need to obtain a Record Book from the GLSW County Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Adviser, Dave Johnson (email david.johnson@glswscouts.org.uk).

The Record Books cost £11 each for Bronze and Silver and £16.50 each for Gold (as at 1st January 2008). You will need to send your full name, date of birth, address and a cheque for the payment made payable to “D Johnson”.

Once you have obtained a Record Book, the County Adviser can give you some advice as to how to get going. You will need to make a plan of what you are going to do for each section and when you are going to do it.

...start my Explorer Scouts off on the Award?

Again, the same process applies. The Explorer Scouts need to obtain Record Books from the County Adviser; as a Leader you can do this on their behalf. The County Adviser will also be able to give you advice and support on how to set up and run the Award with your Unit.

...assess parts of the Award?

Instruction, supervision and assessment should be undertaken by suitable experienced, and where appropriate, qualified people. These people should also have a knowledge of the Award. This may be achieved through reading a Sectional Leaflet or the Award Handbook, or through attending a briefing or training course. If there is any doubt as to who should assess, then guidance should be sought from the District or County Adviser.

...get badges?

There are a range of badges that go with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award will provide a pin badge for all those who complete the Award at each level. There is also a Scout cloth badge which can be worn on the uniform. This is obtained through District/County Badge Secretaries. The GLSW County Adviser may also be able to supply you with badges for those who have recently completed. If a badge has been lost then a copy of the certificate will need to be supplied in order to get a replacement.

...get a notification number for a venture abroad?

All ventures abroad are required to notify the Award and gain a Notification Number. This is done by completing the Venture Abroad Notification Form and submitting it to the Operating Authority a minimum of 12 weeks prior to departure. Forms for Scouting ventures abroad being used for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Expedition section should be sent to the Activities Office and should be accompanied by some supporting information, including who the Nights Away Permit holder is, who the Activity Permit holder is, a copy of the travel insurance documentation and proof that the Visits Abroad process has been followed.

Once this information is received the forms can be processed and if all Scout and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award rules have been followed a Notification Number will be issued. This will be sent to the person named on the forms as well as the County Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Adviser.