The Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) is a youth awards programme founded in the United Kingdom in 1956 by Prince Philip, which recognises adolescents and young adults for completing a series of self-improvement exercises. The programmes are at three progressive levels, which, if successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. To complete all three awards takes between one and four years, and they must be completed by the participant's twenty-fifth birthday. There are around 300,000 participants enrolled annually, with the award expanding to 140 other countries.

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With assistance from adult Leaders, participants select and set objectives in each of the following areas:

• Volunteering: Undertaking service to individuals or the community.
• Physical: Improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities.
• Skills: Developing practical and social skills and personal interests.
• Expedition: planning, training for and completion of an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad.

At Gold level, participants must do an additional fifth Residential section, which involves staying and working away from home for five days, doing a shared activity.  

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To achieve an Award, you need to prove what activities you've been doing, show how you've progressed and you've met the goals you set for each section.

eDofE is the online system that means you can record your DofE programme and activities, and prove what you've done in loads of different ways.  

Once you're a DofE participant, your Leader will set up your eDofE account - and you're ready to start choosing your activities and setting your objectives. 

To help you get started and working with eDofE, a number of useful videos have been uploaded onto YouTube at the following web address. 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJwqW7XmD1vna80L6tOKb3LpsHBDYF7KM

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The web address for the eDofE login page is:

https://www.edofe.org

To achieve an Award, you need to prove what activities you've been doing, show how you've progressed and you've met the goals you set for each section.

eDofE is the online system that means you can record your DofE programme and activities, and prove what you've done in loads of different ways.  

Once you're a DofE participant, your Leader will set up your eDofE account - and you're ready to start choosing your activities and setting your objectives. 

To help you get started and working with eDofE, a number of useful videos have been uploaded onto YouTube at the following web address. 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJwqW7XmD1vna80L6tOKb3LpsHBDYF7KM

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The web address for the eDofE login page is:

https://www.edofe.org

NOTE: Starting from 2018, The Charter School North Dulwich has employed a new policy stating that participants can only go on expeditions if they have completed the Volunteering, Physical and Skill Sections of their Award.  This only applies to those on the Bronze Award.  This has been done to encourage a greater number of students to complete their Award. 

The Expedition Section is arguably the most exciting aspect of doing the Award.  The Award that you are enrolled on will determine how long your expedition will last and the location it will take place. 

Each Award demands more time in duration for the expedition:

• Bronze: 2 days, 1 night camping
• Silver: 3 days, 2 nights camping
• Gold: 4 days, 3 nights camping

There will be two expeditions undertaken on each Award, a practice and a qualifier, along with a Navigation Training Day sometime beforehand.  The school will organise all expeditions and training.   At the moment, the school can only offer walking as the type of expedition, however if there is enough interest, Canoe or Kayaking may be available. 

Below is a guide as to what should be taken on a typical Bronze Expedition:

Essentials:

• Rucksack - Approximately 60 Litres
• Sleeping Bag - Four Season preferable
• Sleeping Mat
• Walking Boots
• Socks - Cotton or Wool. At Least 3 Pairs
• Waterproof Jacket and Trousers
• Water Bottle - At Least 1 Litre
• 2x Packed Lunches
• Breakfast and Dinner
• Cutlery/Eating Utensils
• Change of Clothes
• Torch
• Washing-Up Equipment
• Matches
• Personal Medication - If Necessary

Optional:

• Flip-flops/Sandals - To Wear Around Campsite
• Nightwear
• Rucksack Liner
• Black Sack
• Bug Repellent
• Hat and Gloves
• Emergency Rations
• Money
• Toiletries

Provided By The School:

• Tent - 2 Man and 3 Man
• Trangia - 2 Per Group
• First Aid Kit - 2 Per Group
• Maps - 2 Per Group
• Compasses - 2 Per Group

Recommended retailers are:

Cotswold Outdoor - http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com

Decathlon - http://www.decathlon.co.uk

The North Face - http://www.thenorthface.eu

Mountain Warehouse - http://www.mountainwarehouse.com

Blacks - http://www.blacks.co.uk

Once enrolled on the Award, each participant is entitled to a 15% discount at Cotswold Outdoor. 

If you have trouble acquiring some essential items before the expedition, please contact Mr Iwanczuk ASAP so arrangements can be made for the school to provide the necessary items. 

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