This part of the site will show you what areas you need to complete to achieve your award. These notes give you ideas on what you could do for that activity. There is a fantastic list of activities to choose from but, if you can’t find exactly what you want to do, you can create your own programme with your Leader’s help. For each of the 5 sections, there are local contacts to help you, a section planner and a link to the section on the national website, www.dofe.org.
Volunteering
Volunteering gives you the chance to make a difference to people’s lives and use your skills and experience to help your local community. It gives you the opportunity to become involved in a project or with an organisation that you really care about. This is all about making a difference to other people's lives. Getting off your sofa and taking time out to change things for the better can be great fun.
Physical
Fancy yourself as the next Wayne Rooney, Kelly Holmes or Tony Hawk? Well now’s your chance to prove it! This part of your DofE programme is all about getting active. Whether you’re into sports, dance or general fitness it doesn’t matter – you can choose to do something you’re interested in.
Skills
Ever wanted to have a go at something completely different? Or get recognised for the time and effort you put into your favourite hobby? This is what the Skills section is all about. Developing a skill helps you get better at something you are really interested in and gives you the confidence and ability to use this skill both now and later in life.
Expeditions
Going on an expedition gives you the chance to have an adventure, work as a team, and act on your own initiative. From sailing along the Norfolk Broads to walking in Canada or horse riding in the Brecon Beacons, it can as far-flung or as close to home as you want it to be. You can also choose how you want to travel – it doesn’t just have to be on foot! You could choose to do your expedition by bike, by canoe, by kayak, by wheelchair, by sailing boat or even on a horse or llama!
Residential
To achieve your Gold Award, you need to complete an extra section – the Residential. This involves spending 5 days and 4 nights away from home on a shared activity with people you’ve never met before. Going on a residential gives you the chance to learn how to work with people from different backgrounds and build confidence living in new environments.
