THE AWARD PROGRAM IN ACTION

STARTING THE PROGRAM

Having obtained a Record Book, the next step is to become familiar with the conditions and structure of the Program. Each community has a wealth of people with special skills and interests who, if approached are often more than willing to help young people by coaching various activities and acting as assessors. They can often be found through clubs, Chambers of Commerce, churches, schools, YW/YMCA, and local community organizations.

AWARD LITERATURE

The essential information resource for operating the Program is this publication "The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Young Canadians Challenge - Participant's Record Book". The Record Book is the participant's personal responsibility and must be used to record progress through the various requirements at all levels. Additional background and promotional literature may be obtained an Award office.

RUNNING THE PROGRAM

While a free choice of activities is desirable, it may be necessary to limit a young person's selection to those which fit in with community resources or for which adult help is available. Help in coordinating Award activities is available in many locations through Award committees which can help:

exchange information and ideas about the Award and its operation,
initiate appropriate action for the development of the Award locally,
compare standards with a view to maintaining them at a uniform and adequate level as between local groups,
ensure that the best use is made of available instructors, equipment and facilities,
seek and promote local publicity for the Program,
enlist the aid of additional adult support,
help young people leaving school to continue with the Award,
represent their community at higher levels or at regional conferences, and
help in the effective distribution of Award literature.

When participants have successfully completed all the requirements for an Award and their Record Books, Expedition Logs, and other supporting material have been approved by a Divisional Director, they are entitled to receive the appropriate pin and certificate. Due to the stature of the Awards and to ensure that a young person is suitably recognized, a local ceremony is normally arranged for the presentation of all pins and certificates, Bronze Award ceremonies are normally presented locally. Silver and Gold Award ceremonies are arranged by the Divisional Award office. The National Office has the final responsibility for, and assists, with the Gold Award ceremonies. At the Gold Award level achievers receive their choice of a gilt brooch or a pin.

CONTINUING THE PROGRAM

When participants are leaving school or moving to a new area, it is important to encourage them to continue with the Award and to take steps to enable them to do so. The person best able to help in this is most likely to be the Divisional Director who will be in touch with all groups in the area.

If the participant is leaving the district, the Record Book should be up to date and the change of address page at the back of the Book should be filled in and a copy sent to the appropriate Award office into whose area the participant is moving.

To foster a continuing response to the need for adult help, it is necessary to keep the Program, its purpose and achievements in the public eye. Participating groups can help by mentioning the Program and activities of Award participants in their own literature and magazines. Award leaders should use every opportunity to bring the activities of participants taking part to the notice of the local media who are generally pleased to give publicity to the Program.

APPLYING FOR AN AWARD

Participants qualify for an Award when they have successfully met the Requirements for all four Sections (five for Gold) to the satisfaction of each Assessor and Group Leader (if appropriate).

The following Award Application materials should be submitted to the Award Office:

Participant's Record Book
Award Application Form - this must be prepared by the participant, and signed by the participant and Group Leader (if appropriate). Care should be taken to ensure that all dates on the Application Form correspond to those in the Record Book, that all necessary signatures have been obtained, and that the ëPersonal Sketchí is completed.
Expedition/Exploration/Adventurous Project Log
Any other material that relates to any aspect of the Award.

All material submitted must bear the Participant, and the Group name (if appropriate).

The importance of the completeness of an Award Application submission cannot be overemphasized as, with very few exceptions, the material submitted is the only source upon which the Award Standards Committee can base its approval or rejection.

The Record Book and Expedition/Exploration/Adventurous Project Log represent a considerable investment of time and effort. It is the Participant's and Group Leader's responsibility to safeguard this material and to submit it to the Award Office for approval.

The completion date of one Award level marks the start date of the next. A participant may immediately commence work on the next Award level (if they meet the minimum age requirements). However it should be noted that if the Award Application is not approved, then any work performed toward the next level cannot be used to qualify for that next level.