The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is a national, voluntary, non-competitive programme of activities for young people aged 14-24 years. The DofE programme is personally structured to provide opportunities to experience new activities, gain new talents, further existing skills and inspire social development. Young people are encouraged to set their own challenging goals, aim for them and demonstrate improvement.

At each level of engagement a DofE programme demands progressively more time, commitment and responsibility from the participant. Each level has four sections:

• Volunteering
• Physical
• Skills
• Expedition

Bronze

You can start the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award programme at or just before the age of 14 and it takes a minimum of 6 months commitment to complete. Participants are required to commit to each of volunteering, physical and skills elements for at least 3 months each and one of these must be for 6 months. Participants must plan, train for and complete a 2 day, 1 night expedition.

Silver

The next step up from Bronze. You need to be at least 15 to start doing your Silver DofE programme.  If you've achieved your Bronze Award, you may be allowed to start your Silver a month or two before your 15th birthday. Longer commitment is required for each of the volunteering, physical and skills sections (2 x 6 months, 1 x 3 months) and participants are required to plan, train for and complete a 3 day, 2 night expedition.

Gold

Once you are 16 you can start your Gold DofE programme.  No activities can be counted for this award before your 16th birthday. Participants are required to complete 12 months volunteering, the physical and skills elements - one for 12 months and the other for 6 months. Participants must plan, train for and complete a 4 day, 3 night expedition. In addition the Gold DofE programme requires participation in a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights.