The Duke of Edinburgh's Award

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a programme of activities for young people aged 14-26 to do in their spare time. There are three levels of the award you can challenge yourself to achieve. You can either do all of the levels or be a direct entrant to whichever level you would like to achieve.

Each level has a different minimum starting age and periods of participation for which you must do all of the sections (at least six months for bronze, 12 months for silver and 18 months for gold). To achieve the award, you must undertake activities in the four following sections.

Sections

There are four sections and with three levels of the award available.

Service

Working in your community.

Skills

The development of personal interests, social and practical skills.

Physical recreation

Practicing sport and improving fitness.

Expeditions

Exploring the countryside whilst capturing the spirit of adventure and discovery.

Residential project

For the gold award only - staying away from home and achieving a personal goal working on a project.

Levels

• Bronze open to all aged 14 and over and lasting at least six months
• Silver open to all aged 15 and over and lasting at least 12 months
• Gold open to all aged 16 and over and lasting at least 18 months.

Every county has an adventurous activities officer who will be able to guide and support you through the award. You may even be able to count many of the activities you do with St John towards different sections. For example:

Service

• First aid duty hours
• Helping at your local badger group
• Fundraising work.

Skills

Developing work from many of the creative grand prior subjects like music.

Expeditions

If a group of cadets within your county are all working towards the same level, your support Duke of Edinburgh leader will help you organise an expedition.

For more information on how you can get involved in your local area and the availability of these courses, please contact St John Ambulance in your area.

You can also contact our National Headquarters with any other questions you may have.