The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of activities for anyone aged 14-24. Doing their DofE gives young people the opportunity to experience new activities or develop existing skills.
There are three progressive levels of programmes which, when successfully completed, lead to a bronze, silver or gold award. Young people create their own DofE programme by choosing volunteering, physical and skills activities, going on an expedition and, for their gold only, taking part in a residential activity.
Within Scouting, this links directly to the chief scout’s platinum, diamond and Queen’s scout awards.
Volunteering with Scouts
There are lots of different ways you can complete the volunteering section of DofE within Scouting, not just being a young leader or adult leader.
Registration
You must register before you can start working towards your DofE Award. Once you register you will be sent a pack in the post with your eDofE access details and a booklet with all the information a guidance to get you going.
DofE and Scout Awards Levels and Requirements
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
| Volunteering | Physical | Skill | Expedition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months* | 3 months* | 3 months* | (plan, train for and complete) 2 days and 1 night |
*You also have to do three more months in one of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections as one section has to be for a minimum of 6 months.
To register to start the award you must be in the academic year in which you turn 14.
Chief Scout’s Platinum Award (Explorer Scouts only)
In addition to the above you need to complete the following:
Be a member of Explorer Scouts for at least six months.
Complete six nights away, four of which must be camping.
Complete two activities from the International, Community and Values (ICV) list available online at scouts.org.uk/icvplatinum. Each activity should be from a different area.
Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
| Volunteering | Physical | Skill | Expedition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 months | One section for 6 months and the other section for 3 months | (plan, train for and complete) 3 days and 2 nights | |
If you didn’t complete your Bronze DofE Award, you must undertake a further 6 months in a section you are already doing for 6 months. This will make one section a minimum of 12 months.
To register to start the award you must be in the academic year in which you turn 15.
Chief Scout’s Diamond Award (Explorer Scouts and Scout Network)
If you didn’t complete your Bronze DofE Award or your Chief Scout’s Platinum Award, you must undertake a further 6 months in a section for which you are already doing for 6 months. This will make one section a minimum of 12 months.
In addition to the above you need to complete the following:
Be a member of Explorer Scouts/Scout Network for at least 12 months.
Complete twelve nights away, eight of which must be camping. This may include the nights counted for the Chief Scout’s Platinum Award.
Complete four activities (or two if you have completed your Chief Scout's Platinum Award) from the ICV list available online at scouts.org.uk/icvdiamond. This should be at least one activity from each area.
Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
| Volunteering | Physical | Skill | Expedition | Residential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 months | One section for 12 months and the other section for 6 months | (plan, train for and complete) 4 days and 3 nights | Take part in a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights | |
If you didn’t complete your Silver DofE Award, you must undertake a further 6 months in a section you are already doing for 12 months. This will make one section a minimum of 18 months.
To register to start the award you must you must be 16.
Queen’s Scout Award (Explorer Scouts aged 16+ and Scout Network)
If you haven’t completed your Silver DofE Award or your Chief Scout’s Diamond Award, you must undertake a further 6 months in a section you are already doing for 12 months. This will make one section a minimum of 18 months.
In addition to the above you need to complete the following:
Be a member of Explorer Scouts/Scout Network for at least 18 months.
Complete 18 nights away, 12 of which must be camping. This may include the nights counted for the Chief Scout's Diamond Award and Chief Scout's Platinum Award.
Complete six activities (or two if you have completed your Chief Scout's Diamond Award or four if you have only completed your Chief Scout's Platinum Award) from the ICV list available online at scouts.org.uk/icvqsa, two from each area.
Give a presentation about your award to a suitable audience.