The whole idea is for you to choose activities that are of interest to you , although everything must be done in your own leisure time (that is, out of school, college or work hours).

 

As well as meeting lots of new people, making friends and trying out new activities, if you successfully complete your Gold Award you will be invited to one of the royal palaces to receive it - a chance in a lifetime! Whichever level you decide to work towards, make sure you include it on your CV, even if you just put 'working towards D of E Bronze level'. Most employers and universities will know about the Award -and if they don't know about it, it's a good talking point.

Girlguiding UK and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award  

Girlguiding UK is an Operating Authority for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Each County/Region has a D of E Adviser whom you should contact to register as a new participant. Once you are registered, y ou will receive a Record Book Pack for the level of the Award you have chosen to start on, ie Bronze, Silver or Gold.   You should make a plan of what you wish to do for each section of the Award at the level you are attempting. Your unit Leader or D of E Adviser wilt be able to advise you as you go along. If you are already a member of Girlguiding UK, you are probably a very busy person. That is why the Award is ideal, for you, as you can probably count several of the activities you are currently enjoying towards your Award. On top of this, some of the elements could count for your Queen's Guide Award. You will need to make sure that you meet the requirements of both schemes before you undertake any activity.  

An overview of the Award

As mentioned above, the Award is a four - section programme with three progressive levels:   -Bronze (for those aged 14 and over). -Silver (for those aged 15 and over). -Gold (for those aged 16 and over). You may start the Award at any level, Bronze, Silver or Gold. Some participants start at Bronze and then gradually work their way up to Silver and Gold. Other participants can jump right in at Silver or Gold, as long as they meet the minimum age requirements.

How long will it take?

You have until your 25th birthday to complete any of the Awards but it takes at (east six months at Bronze, 12 months at Silver and 18 months at Gold for direct entrants ie those without Silver or Bronze awards).

The sections

The sections within the Award are as follows:

• 'Service' - to encourage service to individuals and the Community.
• 'Skill' - to encourage the discovery and development of practical and social skills and personal interests.
• 'Physical Recreation' - to encourage participation and improvement in physical activity.
• 'Expeditions' - training, planning and completing a journey, on foot or horseback, by boat, canoe or cycle.
• Residential project (Gold Award only) - to broaden young people's experiences through a purposeful enterprise with people not previously known to them. It should take place in a residential setting away from home and in an unfamiliar environment.

Timescales  

There should be a regular commitment averaging at least an hour a week.

What could I do to get my Award?

The choices for each section are too many to list here for you, however for further information you should take a look at The Duke of Edinburgh's Award website, which will give you a detailed list. Detailed below are some real-life examples from Senior Section members across the UK. These will give you some starting points and also show you how you can use guiding activities for certain areas of the Award.

• Service - gained Adult Leader Qualification by working with a Brownie Pack for a year.
• Skill - played the flute for 12 months, including playing in the National Scout and Guide Orchestra.
• Physical recreation - gained my Level 2 Windsurfing Proficiency Award by attending a course over six months.
• Expedition - four of us walked 86km, spending three nights in a tent, in the Lake District.
• Residential - went to Madagascar on a GOLD project for two weeks. What's more, as Girlguiding UK is an 'Access Organisation' for the Service section of the Award, completing this section this is an easy way to make a start on your Award.     

What do I do next?  

When you have received your Credit Note and have decided that you are interested in starting the full Award programme, you then have six months in which to enrol in the Award by obtaining a Record Book. Your D of E Adviser can help you get started or you could check out www.theaward.org for details of other groups in your area.