Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Scouting

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a rewarding programme that complements the values of Scouting, encouraging young people to challenge themselves, serve their communities, and experience adventure in a safe and supportive environment.

Challenge Yourself. Discover New Skills. Make a Difference.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is one of the UK’s leading youth achievement programmes, helping young people develop confidence, resilience, leadership, and life skills through adventure and personal challenge.

Scouting is one of the largest providers of the DofE Award, and our County is proud to support young people in achieving their Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.

What is the DofE Award?

The DofE Award is open to young people aged 14 to 24 and must be completed by their 25^th birthday; it consists of four main sections:

Volunteering

Make a positive impact in your community by helping others, supporting local projects, or taking on leadership roles within Scouting.

Physical

Improve your fitness through sport, exercise, dance, cycling, climbing, swimming, or another physical activity of your choice.

Skills

Develop new talents or enhance existing ones. Activities can include photography, coding, cooking, music, navigation, first aid, and many more.

Expedition

Plan, train for, and complete a self-reliant expedition with a team. This is often the highlight of the award, providing adventure, teamwork, and unforgettable experiences.

For Gold participants, there is also:

Residential

Spend time away from home taking part in a shared activity with people you have not met before, building independence and confidence.

DofE and Scouting

Many Scout activities can count towards DofE sections, making it easy to combine your Scouting journey with the Award. Whether you are a Scout, Explorer Scout, or Scout Network member, you may already be completing activities that contribute towards a DofE Award.

Scouting provides excellent opportunities for:

• Volunteering through leadership and service.
• Developing practical and outdoor skills.
• Participating in adventurous activities.
• Completing expedition training and assessments.

Award Levels

Young people can begin their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award journey at Bronze, Silver or Gold level, provided they meet the minimum age requirements. There is some flexibility in the entry ages for Bronze and Silver, allowing friends and peers to participate together where appropriate. However, the minimum age for starting Gold is mandatory.

Why Take Part?

Completing a DofE Award helps young people:

• Build confidence and self-belief.
• Develop leadership and teamwork skills.
• Improve communication and problem-solving abilities.
• Gain valuable experience for education and employment applications.
• Make new friends and create lifelong memories.
• Discover new interests and talents.

Universities, colleges, and employers recognise the commitment, perseverance, and skills gained through the DofE Award.

Expedition Support

Our County provides support and guidance for DofE expeditions, including:

• Expedition training weekends.
• Practice and qualifying expeditions.
• Assessor support.
• Leader training and advice.
• Access to experienced expedition volunteers.

Get Involved

If you are interested in starting your Duke of Edinburgh’s Award journey, or if you are a leader interested in supporting DofE within your Section, please contact the County DofE Team.

Together, we can help young people gain skills for life, embrace adventure, and achieve their full potential.

Ready for the challenge? Start your DofE journey with Scouting today.

Contact

County DofE Adviser: Chris Harper
Email: dofe@somersetscouts.org.uk
Enrolment Link https://forms.office.com/e/eAK9tk2VC8
DofE Website: www.dofe.org