Requirements
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Young Canadians Challenge is an exciting self-development Programme available to all young people, equipping them with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and their country.
The Award is flexible and can be done by anyone aged 14-25 in their own time: mental or physical ability or social circumstances should never be a barrier. Moreover, the individual chooses what activities to do depending on his/her interests and resources. If you are over 25 then do not despair! You too can get involved by becoming an Award leader - the backbone of the Award Programme and the key to its success.
There are three levels of the Award in which you can participate - Bronze, Silver and Gold, with each successive level demanding increased commitment.
- BRONZE-for those over 14. The minimum period of participation to gain this Award is 6 months;
- SILVER-for those over 15. The minimum period of participation to gain this Award is 12 months (or 6 months if you have completed Bronze);
- GOLD-for those over 16. The minimum period of participation to gain this Award is 18 months (or 12 months if you have completed Silver).
You do not have to start at the Bronze level. If you are over 15 you can join directly at the Silver level or if you are over 16, directly at Gold.
THE SECTIONS OF THE AWARD
To gain an Award, all four Sections (plus an additional requirement of a Residential Project at Gold level only) must be tackled for the specified minimum period of time. The Sections are:
1. SERVICE
To encourage a sense of responsibility to the community through:
- community service projects
- conservation work
- voluntary service in hospitals or community homes or
- more specialised training such as lifesaving, first aid or rescue services
The emphasis of this Section is the regular giving of a service. Please see the Service Fact Sheet for more information.
2. ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY (Expedition, Exploration or Adventurous Project)
An enjoyable experience designed to cultivate a spirit of adventure and discovery; an understanding of the environment, and the importance of working together in a team with a common purpose.
The Expedition may be by foot, bicycle, boat or horseback, or alternatively it may be an equally challenging adventurous journey. Proper training and preparation, self sufficiency, self-reliance and the exploration of new surroundings are the key elements.
If you are feeling particularly adventurous then the Adventurous Journey section could be fulfilled overseas, perhaps on an organized exchange with an Award group from another country.
Please see the Adventurous Journey Fact Sheet for more information.
3. SKILLS
To encourage the development of personal interests and learn practical skills
There are over 200 hobby and vocational Skills from which you can choose, such as Photography, Cacti Growing, Magazine Production, Music, and Metal Work. Please see the Skills Fact Sheet for more information.
4. PHYSICAL RECREATION
To encourage participation in physical activity and provide an opportunity to improve performance and learn to appreciate Physical Recreation as an important component of a healthy life style. Most team and individual sports are included, as well as personal fitness routines, such as working out at a gym.
Please see the Physical Recreation Fact Sheet for more information.
5. RESIDENTIAL PROJECT
(for Gold level only). Intended to broaden your experience through living and working with others (who are not your everyday companions) over a period of five consecutive days.
Note: This is a Gold level requirement, but it is the only section which can be done any time after you register in the Programme. Ie. whether you are working on bronze, silver or gold.
Please see the Residential Project Fact Sheet for more information.
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