Duke of Edinburgh's Award
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a challenging programme of activities which offers young people aged between 14 and 25 an opportunity to learn new skills, help others, and experience adventure.
RNIB have supported groups of young people on their award.
The four sections
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is divided into four different sections.
Skills
Aim - to encourage the discovery and development of practical and social skills and personal interests
The Award allows you to include extra-curricular activities that you are already involved in as part of the scheme. Some people choose to continue with music lessons or cookery classes, whilst some take up something new like a class in music technology.
Service
Aim - to encourage service to individuals and to the community
Some people help out with local charities and organisations, hospitals and schools to benefit the community.
Physical
Aim - to encourage participation and improvement in physical activity
People take part in all kinds of physical activity such as rowing, tandem riding, ice-skating, dance lessons or sessions at the gym and swimming.
Expedition
Aim - to encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery by preparing for and carrying out an adventurous journey as part of a team
This is probably the most challenging part of the Award. At Bronze Level, a group of young people undertaking the award are expected to travel and explore for six hours each day with an overnight stay.
You can prepare for the journey by gaining essential skills to undertake an unaccompanied expedition. This can be practising putting a tent up, First Aid classes, packing and carrying equipment.
