What is it about? Why should I take part?

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is an international scheme which encourages challenge, adventure, new experiences and commitment. These are also some of the things that the ATC aims to and does provide.

Because of this, many ATC Squadrons run the Duke of Edinburgh's Award in addition to their normal training. On our squadron it's the same. We aim for at least half of the squadron to be involved in the Award at any time; doing skills on the Squadron, planning for their expeditions in the summer or undertaking community service outside the squadron. We aim to complete several Bronze and Silver awards each year.

Participation in the Award is voluntary and, above all, it is fun! The ATC is a great place to do it, as there's so many activities and opportunities on offer.
There are three levels of Award: Bronze, Silver and Gold, each has an increasing degree of commitment. To gain any one of these levels, each young entrant must complete four Sections: Expeditions; Skills; Physical Recreation and Service. For Gold, participants must also complete a Residential Project, away from home for at least five days.

Interesting Fact: The Air Cadet Organisation is the largest single operator of the D of E Award Scheme. In fact the first person to get a Gold award was an Air Cadet.

What do I get for it?

Apart from the knowledge you've worked hard to achieve an Internationally recognised qualification, you also get to to wear the coveted and very smart DofE badge on your shoulder.

badges to be worn (proudly..) on your right shoulder

How do you get started?

Costs

BRONZE AWARD RECORD BOOK PACK £10.50

SILVER AWARD RECORD BOOK PACK £10.50

GOLD AWARD RECORD BOOK PACK £15.75

Note all payments must be in cheque format only.

Cheques payable to “ Herts & Bucks Wing ATC Welfare Fund ” to be handed to the CO, who will forward to Wing HQ for almost immediate dispatch. Ensure your name is on the back of the cheque.

Information required with your application:

Very Useful Websites

Herts & Bucks Wing DofE Award Website

The Official Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme

When can I get started, and at what level?

Bronze

All enrolled cadets (ie 13yr 3mths +) are permitted to enroll within the scheme. Participants must be sufficiently mature to undertake the Bronze Programme.

Age 14½
Regardless of when award started

----------------------------------------------------------------

Silver

A Bronze Award holder may start Silver before 15 Birthday without imposing an artificial delay.

Earliest age for Qualification:

Bronze Award Holders 15½
Direct Entrants 16

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gold

No activities may be counted for the Gold Award before 16 years of age

Earliest age for Qualification:

Silver Award Holders 17
Direct Entrants 17½

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sections

You have to complete each of the following sections to qualify for the Duke of Ediburgh's Award. Much of the Training conducted by 795 (Harpenden) Sqn qualifies cadets for various sections of the Award Scheme. It should not involve a great deal of extra work or time by staff or Cadets:

Service

This section of the award is designed to encourage service to individuals and to the community. There are many activities on ATC Squadrons that count towards this section of the award.

Some suggested forms of Service that are applicable to the Air Cadets:

Recommended Duration for Service

Skill

To encourage the discovery and development of practical and social skills and personal interests.

The Award Scheme recognizes ATC activities and gives specific approval for the following:

Other activities organized by ATC Squadrons that could count include shooting, model making, music/band etc.

Recommended Duration for Skills

Physical Activity

Arranging the Physical Recreation Sections for Cadets is easier than it first appears. Almost all Squadrons undertake some form of sport nights, whether it's football, softball or just jogging.

By adding some structured test, you are actually doing the "Physical Achievement" part of this section.

One of the big changes to the Award Scheme is there is no longer any need to collect "Points" for this section. The principal criteria for completion is participation and improvement.

The most effective method of monitoring improvement and having a structure to sports nights is to include the Physical Achievement Tests.

The aim of these tests are:

TESTS

A recommended pattern of operation could look like this

Base line assessment: maximum repetitions in an agreed interval, one minute for each participant (except for the timed runs). This base line test follows a week of introduction about technique, trial etc.

The physical achievement tests could be one component of a general exercise/fitness programme or it could be free standing.

Base line improvement: use decreases in timings and increases in repetitions. You should continue with the fitness programme for the required period with testing periodically throughout, e.g. at 5 weeks, eight weeks and the final week if a three month PR Section involvement.

Assessment

Does the participant improve? Have they completed the minimum number of months/hours.

Recommended Duration for Physical Recreation

Expedition

Aim - To encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery.

Basic Adventure Training prepares cadets for a two to four day expeditions. (depending on level)

• BRONZE 2 days and 1 night
• SILVER 3 days and 2 nights
• GOLD 4 days and 3 nights

The expeditions are assessed by someone who has not been involved in the training. Before the assessed expedition, participants must participate in at least one practice expedition.

If the participants attempt an assessed expedition and are not meeting the required standard, the expedition supervisor should convert it into another practice expedition.

Residential Project (Gold Award only)

Aim of the Residential Project: To broaden young people's experiences through involvement with others in a residential setting.

The Principles

To introduce young people to some form of purposeful enterprise in the company of others who are not known to them.

Benefits to Young People

The Residential Project should give young people the opportunity to:
• meet new people
• experience an unfamiliar environment
• build new relationships and show concern for others
• work as part of a team towards shared goals
• accept responsibility for self and others
• develop communication skills
• show initiative
• enjoy living and working with others

Requirements

To undertake a shared activity or specific course in a residential setting away from home and in an unfamiliar environment.

Participants will normally require briefing or training prior to or during the residential period so that they are able to contribute fully and derive full benefit from the experience.

The Project should provide opportunities for broadening interest and experience - it is the ideal opportunity to try something new. Under some circumstances, however, it may be related to existing interests or activities being followed in other Sections of the Award, but will be additional to the requirements for that Section. Practice journeys and qualifying ventures for the Expeditions Section cannot be regarded as a Residential Project.

Download your personal progress report, to hand in to the office