Gold Award

In years 12 and 13 Gold participants complete 6-18 months of their individual volunteering, skills and physical sections, demonstrating significant commitment to their personal development and that of their community. They also independently arrange and engage with a residential programme.

On their four day expeditions participants will be challenged to navigate down the Kennet and Avon canals and the River Thames in Bell Boats. Working together in groups of up to 8 students in order to ensure a successful journey and spending four days involved in self-sufficient travel.

It will usually take participants at least 12 months to complete the Gold programme.

– Volunteering section: 12 months

– Physical section: 6 or 12 months

– Skills section: 6 or 12 months

– Expedition section: 4 days/3 nights

– Residential section: 5 days/4 nights

Participants also have to spend an extra 6 months on one of the longer sections if they have not achieved the Silver Award.

Choose your activities

There are a wide range of different activities that you can complete for each of the volunteering, physical and skills sections of your award. Participants select and record their own individual activities for each of these sections so they are able to do something which is relevant to and interests them. However, if you want to do an activity with friends then that is perfectly fine.

Many participants find that they are already doing activities which fit into one or more of the sections. If you completed the Silver Award then you can continue with an activity for a section or try out a new activity.

Watch this video to get an idea of some of the activities that you could focus on for your DofE sections or explore the DofE activities ideas suggestions on their website.