Welcome to the BC & Yukon Division of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Canada. This is the landing page for those living in BC and Yukon who are interested in participating or volunteering in the Award. Please use the menu on the right side of this screen to find the information you need.

The ‘Duke of Ed’ is a global youth leadership and empowerment framework available to young people 14-24, regardless of background or abilities. This is not a competitive program where youth compete to earn the Award. Instead it is a framework for development that is self-paced, and achievement is based on setting and completing goals that are personally challenging. 

Personal empowerment and leadership development come from opportunities to grow and succeed in meaningful ways, and our Award framework inspires youth to set and achieve goals in four activity areas: skill development, volunteering, physical activity, and adventurous journeys in nature.

By completing these activities youth can achieve Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels of the Award. Each level earns youth two high school credits in the BC and Yukon High School curriculum, for a total possible achievement of six credits.

We recognize that not all learning happens in the classroom. Equipping young people for life means providing them with the opportunities and supportive mentorship to explore their passions, abilities, and limits to discover who they are!

To find out more and join the Duke of Ed click here
If you want to bring the Duke of Ed to your school or youth group click here

PARTICIPANTS

Find the information you need by following the buttons below:

Additional Information:

Duke of Ed Alumni

Loved your Award experience and want to stay connected? 

• As a Duke of Ed Alumni, you are invited to annual networking and social events.
• Please join our Alumni community by visiting facebook.com/groups/alumnibcyk to stay connected, informed, and active in the Award.
• Has your contact information changed? Please let us know by emailing bcyk@dukeofed.org
• Many of our amazing Alumni volunteer as Award Leaders and as mentors to the next generation of Achievers! Learn more on our Leader page!
• Click here to see the impact our generous supporters have on the youth of today and the leaders of tomorrow – our BC and Yukon youth!
• Join the BC & Yukon Board of Directors! After all, who knows what the program needs more than the Achievers of the program? Visit our Board of Directors page.
• Newly launched * Join the Global Award Alumni Network.
• Have any questions? Contact Us!

Your story can be in the form of:

• a photo from your Award experience coupled with - a written paragraph
• a selfie video
• a recorded video
• a quote

Subject matter can be:

• about your Award experience
• an anecdote from your Award experience
• a lesson learned
• a habit formed and continued beyond the Award
• what the Award meant, or still means, to you
• the impact of the Award on you and / or your peers
• The Award overall, or specifically about one section:
     Physical Recreation
     Skill
     Service
     Adventurous Journey
     Gold Project

Please do reach out if you would like assistance with your idea. We are happy to work with you!

SUPPORTERS

Our mission is to provide young people with opportunities to grown and succeed in meaningful ways. Our youth leadership and empowerment framework helps young people discover their abilities by requiring them to set and achieve goals in four activity areas: volunteering, physical activity, skill development, and adventurous journeys in nature.  In the process, our young participants evolve into the confident and empathetic leaders of tomorrow. Learn more about our mission with this inspiring three minute video

It is our donors that ensure we can serve thousands of young people participating in BC & Yukon. We require your support to ensure their success, as well as increase access for all youth in the region to the Duke of Ed opportunity. As a Canadian registered charity, we do not receive monetary contributions from the Royal Family and raise the funds for our operating budget ourselves. 

 Thank you to our 2020 Supporters

For more information contact Executive Director, Caley Hartney at chartney@dukeofed.org or 250-385-4232 ext. 5 or,

A heartfelt thank you to Westwood Printing & Signs for their enduring support
with our ceremony and stationary needs!

 A special thank you to our strategic partners in serving the youth of BC & Yukon.

 AWARD LEADERS

Leader Online Record Book Training
New Leaders and Existing Award Leaders welcome!
Please Register here 24 hrs in advance.

On this page you will find the following information: 

• Who are Award Leaders? 
• What is the role of an Award Leader? 
• What’s the benefit of becoming an Award Leader? 
• Liability. 
• Ready to become an Award Leader?? 
• We're Here For You! 
• Leader Resources.
• Promotional Videos and Materials. 

Who are Award Leaders? 

An Award Leader is a person who works or volunteers with youth as part of a larger organization, such as a High School, Scouts, Guides, Cadets, or Community Center. The Award Leader’s aim is to help young people within their organization to access the life changing Award opportunity. They support young people by mentoring them as they register, set goals, choose activities, and work on completing their Award.

To help with this, Award Leaders are given access to an Online Record Book platform in which they can monitor and track the activities of their youth participants. The Division office provides Award Leaders with training in using the platform and access to resources and support materials. We also have staff support through our office so we can answer any questions as they come up. 
 
Award Leaders can help in coordinating the Adventurous Journey portion of the Award experience, but it is important to know that this is not mandatory. Ultimately, it is the up to individual youth participants to plan and carry out their Award activities. Award Leaders are the all-important cheerleaders and mentors that inspire young people to success.  

What is the role of an Award Leader? 

An Award Leader’s role encompasses the following areas: 

1. Be the recognized Duke of Ed expert within your organization. 
2. Direct interested youth on how to register and get set up to start their Award. 
3. Manage your Award participants using the Online Record Book (ORB) platform. 
4. Mentoring and supporting participants as they work to complete their Award levels. 
5. Review completed Awards before submitting to the Award office via ORB. 
6. Liaise with the Division Award office as needed. 
7. Stay up to date on Division Award Office updates and opportunities through the bi-weekly Leader Bulletin distributed via email
8. Abide by all policies set out by The Duke of Edinburgh’ International Award, including but not limited to: the National Abuse Policy, National Risk Management Policy and National Branding policy, and the Award Standards. 

What’s the benefit of becoming an Award Leader? 

Good question! Besides engaging with youth and aiding in their development of new skills, self-confidence, and a greater appreciation of the environment and community around them; you are building up your own skill set and resume with internationally recognized experience.? 

Liability 

Leaders and the organizations they represent are responsible for ensuring all criminal record checks and vulnerable sector screenings are up to date and that appropriate insurance is in place for any activities that the group undertakes. Organizations without these elements in place cannot run an Award Group Unit. However, youth in any organization can still participate in the Award as an Independent Participant.

Ready to become an Award Leader? 

• Complete and submit a New Award Unit Registration Form to the Division Office.  
• After registering, we will provide an Award Leader training sessions where you will learn about the Award standards, your Leader responsibilities, and be trained in using our exciting Online Record Book platform to manage and track participating youth in your Award Group. 
• Learn more about the Online Record Book by going to our Award Leader ORB Support page
• Download and read our Award Information Package, which introduces you to the Award in BC & the Yukon. This is a great document to share with Administrators, parents, and others in your organization.

We're Here For You! 

1. Training - You can find out when and where our next training webinar is and register by emailing bcyk@dukeofed.org. We can also provide personal training sessions for you and co-Leaders in your organization upon request.  

2. Support – Call us when you need us, and also use our handy online resources provided during your training. For example, check out our Common Leader Challenges and How to Avoid them.

3. You will also receive a biweekly e-bulletin to update Leaders on important developments and opportunities for the Award in the BC & Yukon Division, upcoming ceremonies, training webinars and new resources. After registering as a Leader you will be added to the mailing list.?  

4. We also have?Award Staff who are available to come and do a presentation or workshop with your youth, attend a community event or generally provide support. 

5. On our website you can find many resources available to aid youth participants.
 
Have questions? We are here to help, and no question is too big or small! Please contact us!  

Leader ORB Support

Promotional Videos: 

The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award | Being an Award Leader | Cadets & Duke of Ed  

Promotional Materials: 

Participant Brochure | Top 10 Reasons | The Award Impacts 

Resource Materials: 

Participant Handbook | Record Book Supplement | Award At A Glance | Planning an Adventurous Journey | Participant Registration Sheet | Award Participant Registration Form | Bronze Submission Form | Silver Submission Form | Gold Submission Form | Award Unit Update Form | How-To Videos | ORB Paper Parent Consent Form

Participant Web Pages: 

Start The Award | Do The Award | Adventurous Journey Page | Get The Award

Work with us!

Career Opportunities

Leader Engagement and Program Officer
Full-time Contact (8 weeks)
Start Date: Open Until Filled

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Office Assistant

Board of Directors

If you are interested in joining our Board of Directors, please follow for more information.

Award Group Leaders

Interested in volunteering as an Award Group Leader? Please follow this link.

Division Office Volunteer

We are currently looking for enthusiastic Volunteer Office Assistants to perform a variety of administrative and office support tasks. Please click here for the full job description and how to apply.

News and Events

Duke of Ed for Distance Learners!

The Duke of Ed is PERFECT for Distance Learners! Because…

• The Duke of Ed is zero-barrier, non-academic, and non-competitive!
• You choose your own pace and your own activities. It’s your Award journey!
• Best of all, you’re already doing it!

Want to learn more?

Watch our short and easy how-to videos below, or read more about Duke of Ed requirements here.

If you have any questions, please contact us.  We are here for you!

Don’t feel like reading? Watch our Short How-To Videos!

(Click 'YouTube" on the video for a larger, or full, screen.)

Please note: our Facebook page has changed. Please follow us on our national page www.facebook.com/dukeofedcanada

For the Parents
An introduction to the Award, its requirements, and the many ways in which it can benefit your youth!

The Registration Process
Ready to Start your Award? Learn how to choose which Level is best for you and how to register.

Choosing Assessors and Activities
You’re registered! What now? This video provides an overview of qualifying activities and qualities you should look for in an Assessor!

Adventurous Journey
One of the most exciting and challenging components of the Duke of Ed! In this video, you’ll learn about requirements and planning.

Using the New Participant Handbook and Record Log
Do you have the blue and green Participant Handbook and new Record Logs? Learn how to fill out your Logs and the paperwork required to earn your Award!

The Submission Process
Completed all your activities? Congratulations! In this video, we’ll go step by step to ensure you have everything you need to feel confident about submitting your Award.

Life After the Award
Using your Achievement to Reach your Goals

HOW-TO VIDEOS

Don’t Feel like Reading?

Enjoy our short and easy how-to videos. From registering for the Duke of Ed to submitting your Award, we got you covered!

Find all Award requirements, information and resources here!

(Click 'YouTube" on the video for a larger, or full, screen.)

Please note: our Facebook page has changed. Please follow us on our national page www.facebook.com/dukeofedcanada

For the Parents
An introduction to the Award, its requirements, and the many ways in which it can benefit your youth!

The Registration Process
Ready to Start your Award? Learn how to choose which Level is best for you and how to register.

Choosing Assessors and Activities
You’re registered! What now? This video provides an overview of qualifying activities and qualities you should look for in an Assessor!

Adventurous Journey
One of the most exciting and challenging components of the Duke of Ed! In this video, you’ll learn about requirements and planning.

Using the Traditional Record Book
Do you have the traditional white-covered Record Book? Learn how to fill out your Record Book and the paperwork required to earn your Award!

Using the New Participant Handbook and Record Log
Do you have the blue and green Participant Handbook and new Record Logs? Learn how to fill out your Logs and the paperwork required to earn your Award!

Using the Online Record Book (ORB)
Are you a new Participant, or moving on to the next level? Welcome to ORB! Learn how to register, choose your activities, log your activities, and prepare for approval.

The Submission Process
Completed all your activities? Congratulations! In this video, we’ll go step by step to ensure you have everything you need to feel confident about submitting your Award.

Life After the Award
Using your Achievement to Reach your Goals

DUKE OF ED & CADETS

The Duke of Ed is a leadership development framework that compliments Cadet training. It is so well matched with the Cadet program that in 2017 a national Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Cadets Canada and the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Canada to support all Cadets in accessing and completing the Duke of Ed.

The Duke of Ed is an internationally recognized standard of leadership excellence, Cadets complete virtually all the activities for Duke of Ed achievement through their Cops/Squadrons. The MOU ensures that Cadets will receive the opportunity for recognition of their achievements.

Cadet Resources:

Find out how Cadets and Junior Rangers can use their activities to earn a Bronze, Silver or Gold level of the Duke of Ed.

Cadet Learning Portal | Air Cadet Brochure | Army Cadet Brochure | Sea Cadet Brochure | Junior Rangers Brochure | Duke of Ed Youth Resources

Did you know?

• The Duke of Ed pin is the only external medal or pin you are allowed to wear on your Cadet uniform!
• Both Duke of Ed and Cadets qualify for external high school credits in BC. As a senior Cadet having completed all three levels of the Award, up to 18 additional credits can be added to a high school transcript!
• Wondering if you can continue your Award during the Summer? YES you can! There are many summer courses that qualify for Duke of Ed activities, including physical recreation, skill, Adventurous Journey, and the Gold Project. Refer to your element brochure (above), and the Duke of Ed Youth Resources for more information, or chat with your Award Leader.
• Please note: while the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) clearly states that Staff Cadets may not use their Summer experience for their Gold Project, you can still get your weekly activities on your own time. Doing some PE? There's your physical recreation! Volunteering in the canteen, or mentoring younger Cadets? There's your service! Even an hour a week of reading up on, or practicing your chosen Skill will allow you to keep up on those hours.

Visit these links for qualifying activities and course codes you could earn with the BC Ministry of Education: Duke of Ed credits | Pacific Region Cadet credits

Cadet Officer Resources:

Cadet Officers are the mentors critical to Cadet achievement. Just as Officers train Cadets in their courses (ie: Marksmanship), they also mentor Cadets towards Duke of Ed Award achievement.
Under the new national Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Cadets Canada and the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Canada, all Cadet Officers are responsible for ensuring access and support for their Cadets in achieving their Duke of Ed Award. 

As per the MOU, each squadron or corps must have a trained Duke of Ed Award Leader. This training is a free professional development opportunity for all Cadet Officers and its value is increasingly recognized in the professional and education sectors.

For information on what this entails, please visit our Duke of Ed Award Leader webpage