Outline of the Award
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award aims to provide an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development for young people.
There are three Awards - Bronze, Silver and Gold with different minimum starting ages and periods of participation. At each level young people complete four sections Service, Skills, Physical Recreation and Expedition. At Gold level there is the additional requirement of a Residential Project.
Further details can be found at Duke of Edinburgh's Award website, which can be accessed via the link located in External Links section or in the Award At A Glance leaflet in Related Information.
Award groups operate across Highland in various settings including schools, voluntary youth organisations, youth clubs and uniformed groups.
For further information please contact Rebecca Raynes, Award Officer, 01463 702053 or rebecca.raynes@highland.gov.uk.
Jubliee Fund
If money is stopping you or a member of your award group from finishing a section of their Award, then check out the Jubilee Fund details under Current documents.
Training Opportunities
Walking and Camping Accreditation Courses
First Aid Courses
Water Safety Courses
National Governing Body Training and Assessment Courses
For details of the above courses please visit Highland Council's Outdoor Education web site. Courses are available to Highland Council staff free of charge.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award are offering grants towards the training of Expedition Leaders. Grants are available to Award Leaders up to the value of £150 and Award Participants and Young Leaders up to the value of £300.
To apply send a letter of application, stating your current involvement with the Award and a supporting letter from your Award Officer to the The Duke if Edinburgh Award - Scotland. Further details will then be sent out to you.
Expeditions
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award web page 'Expeditions' provides a useful overview. The Expedition Supervisors Training Pack gives details of a training course available to supervisors.
For further information on training opportunities relating to expeditions please see Outdoor Education webpage.
New Expedition Guide CD ROM
Essential information for Award Leaders setting out the conditions and
requirements of the Expeditions Section of the programme. This new interactive CD ROM is available from the D of E shop or by phoning 0131 553 5280 or by emailing asl@theaward.org
Changes to Green Forms
Award Leaders should be aware that the wording has changed on the Green Form to take account of the Outdoor Access Codes . The Green Form, available from the Award’s website, has been updated and should now be used for all Expeditions in Wild Country.
Whilst it is not necessary to obtain permission to camp on private land in Scotland, the Award still recommends that out of courtesy groups notify landowners of their intentions to camp . For further information about the Scottish Outdoor Access Code visit the following website http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com
Training Syllabi for Expeditions
Expeditions in 'Wild Country'
If you are organising an expedition in an area designated as 'Wild Country' by the Award you need to complete and submit the expedition 'Green Form'. Note that this form has been updated for 2007 (see above).
Regardless of the level of Award (Bronze, Silver or Gold) if the expedition is taking place in an area designated as 'Wild Country' the Gold Training Syllabus should be used by those responsible for training the participants.
Assessing Expeditions in 'Wild Country'
At Bronze level the Assessor must not have been involved in the training of the group. At Silver level the Assessor should be totally independent of the Award unit. At Gold level the Assessor must be totally independent of the Award Unit and not associated with it in any way.
New Expedition Assessor Scheme
The Scottish Award Office is currently co-ordinating the training of a course director and tutor team to support a series of national one day courses for the above scheme. The dates for these courses are as follows:
- 5th November 2008- Glasgow
- 29th November 2008 - Aviemore
- 17th January 2009 - Edinburgh
Further detials will follow in due course.
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