A life-changing experience. A fun time with friends. An opportunity to discover new interests and talents. A tool to develop essential skills for life and work. A recognised mark of achievement; respected by employers.
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14-24 year-olds can do a DofE programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, leads to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
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There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a residential activity.
Any young person can do their DofE – regardless of ability, gender, background or location. Achieving an Award isn’t a competition or about being first. It’s all about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries.
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Through a DofE programme young people have fun, make friends, improve their self-esteem and build confidence. They gain essential skills and attributes for work and life such as resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication and drive, enhancing CVs and uni and job applications.
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RAFAC are a licensed authority able to deliver DofE programmes in a geographical region. Through accreditation schemes run by RAFAC, staff can qualify to support the scheme at squadron level managing cadet participation, and encouraging course completion. Staff can progress through training to become Leaders, Managers & Assessors securing valued skills and experience in support of the Scheme.
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RAFAC PROGRAMME
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RAFAC Pre-Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (Blue Badge)
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Expedition - complete IET Training
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Physical
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Skills
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Volunteering
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Cadets who have not yet reached 14 complete the Blue Badge during their recruit cadres following sections of the progressive syllabus training at squadron.
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DofE Bronze - +14 years
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Expedition
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Physical
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Skills
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Volunteering
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It will usually take you at least 6 months to complete your Bronze programme.
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Volunteering section: 3 months
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Physical section: 3 months
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Skills section: 3 months
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Expedition section: 2 days/1 night
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You also have to spend an extra three months on one of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections of your choice.
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DofE Silver
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Expedition
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Physical
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Skills
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Volunteering
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It will take you at least 6 months for Silver if you’ve already achieved your Bronze, or 12 months if you’ve jumped straight into Silver.
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Volunteering section: 6 months
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Physical and Skills sections: One section for 6 months and the other section for 3 months
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Expedition section: 3 days/2 nights
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If you didn’t do Bronze, you must undertake a further 6 months in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.
DofE Gold
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Expedition
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Physical
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Skills
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Volunteering
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Residential
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For Gold, you’ll need to do your programme for at least 12 months if you’ve achieved your Silver Award, or 18 months if you’ve started at Gold level without doing your Silver – even if you’ve done Bronze. The big difference at Gold is you’ll also do a Residential section – staying away from home for five days and four nights doing a shared activity with people you don’t know.
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Volunteering section: 12 months
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Physical and Skills sections: One section for 12 months and the other section for 6 months
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Expedition section: 4 days/3 nights
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Residential section: Undertake a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights.
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If you didn’t do Silver, you must undertake a further 6 months in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.
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