The Duke of Edinburgh International Award
Your Duke of Edinburgh Journey
The Award is a leading structured (non-formal education) youth development program, empowering all young Australians aged 14-24 to explore their full potential and find their purpose, passion and place in the world, regardless of their location or circumstance. The Award is a fully inclusive program and has no social, political, or religious affiliations.
To achieve an Award, each young person must learn a skill, improve their physical well being, volunteer in their community and experience a team adventure in a new environment. All Participants are supported by a network of adult Award Leaders, Assessors, and Supervisors.
Physical Recreation
The Physical Recreation section of the Award encourages young people to participate in sport and other physical recreation for the improvement of health and fitness.
Examples of Physical Recreation
- Ball sports – football, rugby, volleyball, basketball, cricket, golf, tennis, netball
- Athletics – running, jumping, throwing, triathlon, decathlon
- Water sports – surfing,canoeing, kayaking, swimming, water polo, diving, rowing
- Martial arts – karate, judo, kickboxing, boxing, taekwondo, kendo
- Animal sports – horse riding, polo
- View more here
Skills
The Skills section of the Award encourages the development of personal interests and practical and social skills.
Examples of Skills
- Music – singing, learning to play an instrument, music event management
- Sports related – sports officiating, umpiring/refereeing, sports ground maintenance
- Arts and crafts – ceramics, embroidery, jewellery making, drawing, painting, sculpture, photography
- Nature and the environment – agriculture, astronomy, bee keeping, conservation, fishing, forestry, gardening
- Communication – film and video, languages, reading, writing, public speaking, journalism, website development
- Games – billiards, snooker or pool, chess, darts, backgammon
Voluntary Service
The Service section of the Award encourages young people to volunteer their time to and understand the benefits of this service to their community.
Examples of Service:
- Volunteering with the RFS, SES or other civil service organisations
- Visiting and supporting people in need, such as the elderly, or those with disabilities
- Volunteering at a hospital or local care home
- Sports coaching
- Charity work
- View more here
Adventurous Journey
The Adventurous Journey section encourages a sense of adventure and discovery whilst undertaking a team journey or expedition.
Examples of Adventurous Journeys (explorations and expeditions)
- Exploring the natural world: flora, fauna, erosion, geology, coastal studies
- Exploring river valleys, plant studies, exploring human impact: visitor pressure in national parks, pollution
- Carrying out health surveys or health education in remote areas
- Completing a demanding journey by foot, cycle, canoe or kayak
- Kayaking the entire navigable stretch of a river
- An extensive sail across an ocean
- Climbing mountainous peaks
- Cycling from one part of a country to another
- Undertaking a challenging journey in an urban environment
Gold Residential Project
The Residential Project, completed only at Gold Level, aims to broaden participants’ horizons through involvement with others in a residential setting.
Purpose
To broaden your horizons and open your eyes to the world!
What It’s About
The Gold Residential Project offers Gold Award Participants unique experiences that truly broaden horizons and challenges their outlook.
At the heart of the Gold Residential Project is the undertaking of purposeful experience with people who are not their usual companions, working towards a common goal! Adding to this, the young person is also outside of their usual place of residence, often in an unfamiliar environment.
It is hoped that the Gold Residential Project rewards Gold Award Participants with a sense of personal achievement, enhanced social connection with new and interesting people, and a truly life changing experience!