What is the DofE?
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is an awards programme which gives young people the chance to make friends, have fun and build confidence in an empowering, exciting and non-competitive learning environment.
It's delivered by a number of licensed providers across the UK: Scouts being one of the biggest.
By taking part, young people build on a huge range of practical and character skills – like resilience, problem-solving, team-working and drive – and come out the other side with a stronger sense of self (something really brilliant to put on their CV), or talk about in their uni and job applications).
There are three award levels to achieve:
Bronze – for those aged 14+ years*
Silver – for those aged 15+ years*
Gold – for those aged 16+ years
Young people build their own custom DofE programme: choosing from a range of skills-based challenges, physical activities, volunteering opportunities and expeditions to suit their interests and goals.
As part of their Gold Award, they also take part in a residential activity.
Scouts can complete their DofE while they're in Explorers or Network, linking their achievements to the Chief Scout’s Platinum, Diamond and Queen’s Scout Awards. As well as the Young Leaders' Scheme.
* If a young person isn't 14 or 15 yet, but is in the school year in which their peer group turns 14/15, they can start their respective award. All activities must be completed by a young person's 25th birthday.