Dear Parent/Guardian,
This information pack contains a lot of information for the Award and the upcoming adventurous journeys (camps). The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is an incredible experience and qualification, but it takes commitment in order to gain an Award. Please therefore take the time to read this whole document carefully to prevent any confusion or disappointment in the future.
Since the Award began in 1956, its aim has been to help young people plan and undertake their own programme of activities to develop themselves mentally, physically and emotionally. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is widely recognised by employers and education providers as the definitive qualification for demonstrating self-reliance, commitment and dedication. All this, and a lot of fun along the way. Some of the benefits to young people include:
– developing self-confidence and self-reliance
– gaining a sense of achievement and a sense of responsibility
– discovering new skills, interests and talents
– developing leadership skills and abilities.
The Award
There are three levels of DofE programme which lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award.
The Bronze Level is available from Year 3 onwards
The Silver Level is available from Year 4 onwards
The Gold Level is available from Year 5 onwards
Through their DofE, students will make lasting memories and build traits like confidence, resilience and self-esteem, which can benefit mental health. They’ll gain skills and attributes for work and life, like problem-solving, team-working and self-motivation – and they’ll achieve an Award that’s recognised by top employers and can help them stand out when applying for university or jobs.
To achieve their Award, participants must complete four sections: Skills, Volunteering, Physical and Adventurous Journey.
Every young person’s DofE programme is personal to them – they can choose what they’d like to do for their Skills, Volunteering and Physical sections, and most activities can count. We will provide guidance and support, and students can either choose to continue an activity they already do or discover something completely new.
Activities for each section take a minimum of one hour a week over a set period of time, so they can fit around studying, hobbies and social lives. They will have to record these activities on a weekly basis in their online record book https://www.onlinerecordbook.org
For more details about programmes and timescales visit https://intaward.org/
Costs
The award fee covers the registration fee, award level fee, transportation, camp fee.
The cost does NOT cover any extra curriculum activities that students may partake in as part of the award.
The cost also does NOT cover the equipment necessary for camp (such as clothing, tents, sleeping bags, food).
Bronze: 115 euros
Silver: 125 euros
Gold: 160 euros
Adventurous Journey Section
The Adventurous Journey is a unique opportunity for your child to experience self-reliance and team work in an outdoor environment. The length of the Adventurous Journey varies depending on the level of the Award:
Bronze Level – Qualifying Adventurous Journey takes two days (one night) – Practice (one night)
Silver Level – Qualifying Adventurous Journey takes three days (two nights) – Practice (one night)
Gold Level – Qualifying Adventurous Journey takes four days (three nights) – Practice (two nights)
Participants will have to undertake training to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge for their journey. For the qualifying Adventurous Journey of all Awards, the participants must complete a self- sufficient journey. This means that the participants will walk with remote adult supervision, on an agreed route, and must carry all the equipment and food they will need for the duration of their journey. Adult leaders will monitor the progress of the groups by meeting them at check points.
The participants will be in groups of between four and seven young people. They must work together as a team, take responsibility for their actions, and deal with any situations that arise along the way.
The leaders will be camping in the same area as the young people, however to maintain the spirit of the journey they will leave the young people to take responsibility for all aspects of their camp, including cooking.
IMPORTANT NOTE! Most of the adults providing support and ensuring that your child can take part in the Award are volunteers. It is a huge amount of work for them and they can only support your child on the basis that your child:
- attends all of the training sessions for the Adventurous Journey section. The leaders will not take your child on a journey if they do not feel they have the necessary training. It is 100% the responsibility of your child and yourselves to know the correct training dates and to attend these.
- brings the correct equipment to all of the training sessions. Please refer to the advice from your organisation or school, for equipment lists and advice on food, bag packing etc. There are kit lists for a day walk and a journey. You may be able to borrow certain equipment from your school but you must check this well before the journey date.
2022-2023 Journey
This academic year the Practice Journey for the Silver and Gold participants will take place on the 29th and 30th of September.
The Practice and Qualifying Adventurous Journey for the Bronze and the Qualifying for Silver and Gold will take place from the 13th-15th of October.
Students must wear the appropriate attire and carry all the necessary equipment with them. They will depart from and return to school premises via a bus.
All attendees must pay at the finance office and return the signed consent form by the 21st of September in order to participate in the Practice Journey.
If you have further questions do not hesitate to contact the Duke of Edinburgh team of our school.
Regards,
Med High School Duke of Edinburgh Team
Angela Ioannou
Andri Ataou
Antonios Charalambous
Fanis Georgiou