What is the Award?
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a challenging programme of activities which will help you to learn new skills, help others and experience adventure and it will give you a great sense of achievement. What is more, many organisations such as employers and universities take a very good view of the Award and what it says about the person who has achieved it.

What does the Award Involve?
There are three levels to the Award – Bronze (+14 years), Silver (+15 Years) and Gold (+16 years). For each level, you complete activities in four sections – Service, Skill, Physical Recreation and Expeditions.

The good thing about the Award is that you can decide what you do. In each section there is a range of options you can choose from.

Service – The aim is to encourage service to individuals and to the community. For example, sports leadership, first aid training, charity work, childcare, etc.

Durations for Service
Bronze – 3 months
Silver – 6 months
Gold – 12 months

Skills –To encourage the discovery and development of personal interests and practical skills. For example, playing a musical instrument, cookery, languages, model construction, photography, etc.

Durations for Skills
Bronze – 3 months
Silver – 6 months
Gold – 12 months

Physical Recreation – To encourage participation and improvement in physical activity. For example, aerobics, badminton, cricket, football, rugby, netball, etc.

Durations for Physical Recreation
Bronze – 3 months
Silver – 6 months
Gold – 12 months

Expedition – To encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery.
This involves walking in a group along a route which you have planned, and prepared for, carrying all the necessary food and equipment for the venture.

Durations and lengths of Expeditions
Bronze – 2 days, 1 night, 24km/15 miles.
Silver – 3 days, 2 night, 48km/30 miles.
Gold – 4 days, 3 nights, 80km/50 miles.

• Self-belief
• A sense of identity
• A sense of responsibility
• New talents and abilities
• The ability to plan and use time effectively
• Self-confidence
• Independence
• New relationships
• Developing new skills
• Learning to lead others and be lead
• Awareness of your potential
• The ability to learn from and give to others in the community

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Ysgol Rhiwabon
The Award at Ysgol Rhiwabon is co-ordinated by Mr. P Bingham and Mr. J. Gordon. It is their responsibility to ensure that participants receive the appropriate training for the expeditions and to advise and help place participants in suitable areas for their skills, service and physical sections of the Award.

Participants meet once a week from 3:15 to 5:00 where they receive training in map and compass skills, route planning, camp craft, camp cookery and other general walking skills in preparation for the expedition.

At Bronze level, we normally walk around the local area and pupils who have completed their expeditions have enjoyed them, once their aches, pains and blisters have healed!!

If you would like to give the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award a go and think you are up to the challenge, or would simply like to know more, please speak to Mr. Bingham or Mr Gordon.