Duke of Edinburgh International Award at BIS
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The International Award is an exciting self-development Programme available to all young people worldwide equipping them with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and the world. To date almost 6 million young people from over 110 countries have been motivated to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities.
One must be 14 years old to start the program, thus Grade 9/10 is a perfect match. In addition, those who are older can begin the program; you do not have to start at 14.
It is a four-Section Programme with three progressive levels:
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Bronze (for those aged 14 and over)
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Silver (for those aged 15 and over) and
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Gold (for those aged 16 and over).
The Sections involve:
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Service (helping other people in the local community)
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Expeditions (training for, planning and completing a journey on foot or horseback, by boat or cycle)
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Skills (covering almost any hobby, skill or interest)
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Physical Recreation (sport, dance and fitness)
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Residential Project (Gold Award only) (a purposeful enterprise with people not previously known to the participant)
How long will it take to do an Award?
You have until your 25th birthday to complete any of the Awards but it takes at least 6 months at Bronze, 12 months at Silver and 18 months at Gold for Direct Entrants.
TIMESCALES:
There should be a regular commitment averaging at least an hour a week.
Bronze Award (14+ Years)
Service |
Skills
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Physical Recreation
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Expeditions
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3 Months
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3 Months
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3 Months
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Plan prepare and undertake a 2 day, 1 night venture
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All participants must undertake a further 3 months in either the Service, Skills or Physical Recreation Section.
Silver Award (15+ Years)
Service |
Skills
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Physical Recreation
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Expeditions
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6 Months
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One Section for 6 months and the other Section for 3 months
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Plan prepare and undertake a 3 day, 2 night venture
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Participants who do not hold their Bronze Award must undertake a further 6 months in either the Service or the longer of the Skills / Physcial Recreation Section.
Gold Award (16+ Years)
Service |
Skills
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Physical Recreation
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Expeditions
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Residential Section
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12 Months
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One Section for 12months and the other Section for 6 months
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Plan prepare and undertake a 4 day, 3night venture
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Undertake a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights
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Participants who do not hold their Silver Award must undertake a further 6 months in either the Service or the longer of the Skills / Physcial Recreation Section.
Click here to read a Residential Testimonial
The Key principles of the Award are:
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non-competitive - a personal challenge not a competition
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available to all - anyone can do it!
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voluntary - it's up to you what you do, it's your leisure time
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flexible - your programme is designed by you for you
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balanced - it will stretch you in all directions
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progressive - you improve at your own pace
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achievement focused - you can't fail
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marathon not a sprint - it takes more than a short burst of enthusiasm
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personal development - it's the taking part that matters; getting an Award is the icing on the cake
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enjoyable - it's about getting out there and having fun!
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Adventurous Journey – key dates
Bronze
Practice camp at school – Friday 19th April 2013
Qualifying camp at Caldera – Wednesday 29th, Thursday 30th and Friday 31st May 2013
Silver
Qualifying camp at Sentul – Friday 14th and Saturday 15th June
Gold
Practice camp at Sentul – September 2013 – date to be confirmed
Qualifying camp in Nepal – October 2013
Or
Qualifying camp in Australia – October 2014
Or
Qualifying camp – local – date to be confirmed
