The Duke of Edinburgh's Award

DofE: The Duke of Edinburgh's Award : Gwobr Dug Caeredin

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) is a voluntary, non competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities, designed to support the personal and social development of young people aged 14-25, regardless of gender, background or ability. It offers an individual challenge and encourages young people to undertake exciting, constructive, challenging and enjoyable activities in their free time.

If you're an Explorer Scout or Network member you can work on the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme at the same time that you're working for your Chief Scout's Platinum, Diamond or Queen's Scout Award. Two Awards for the price of one - can't be bad!

The Welsh Scout Council & the DofE

The Welsh Scout Council is an Operating Authority for the DofE, and there is a Duke of Edinburgh's Award adviser for Wales, Alison Owen-Yeates, who supports the Areas and Districts undertaking the award. Some Districts and Areas have their own DofE Advisors.

The Award is open to Explorer Scouts and Network members and as such is also supported by Explorer Scout Leaders, District Explorer Scout Commissioners and Area Scout Network Commissioners.

The basics

It is a four-Section Programme with three progressive levels:

  • Bronze - Age 14+
  • Silver - Age 15 +
  • Gold - Age 16+

The sections are:

Starting the DofE

In order to get started, you need to get your Explorer Scout Leader, Network Commissioner or DofE Advisor to order you a Record Book (you need to buy a different one for each level of Award you do).

When you get your books, look at each Section of the Award in turn and decide what you want to do. Your DofE Advisor, Explorer Scout Leader or Network Commissioner will be able to help you if you get stuck. Remember to get approval from them for what you're going to do before you do it, so you don't waste any time on activities which won't count. Make sure that the activities you choose are in the right Section - dance, for example, is a Physical Recreation activity, not a Skill!

Remember to do what you do for the right length of time (and no, you can't cram it all into a wet weekend - we're looking for continuous, spread-out involvement!). Also have a look at the DofE website: www.dofe.org

Be sure to complete your record book as you go on, getting your assessor (sports coach, music teacher, someone with specialist knowledge etc) to sign each Section off, and keep in touch with your DofE adviser, leader or Network commissioner. The record book has space for you to fill in your personal thoughts as you go along. It'll be fun looking back on this record in years to come - when you're old enough to know better!

Most of all... HAVE FUN!

How to get record books & other materials

The Welsh Scout Council has now taken on the supply of Duke of Edinburgh's Award material and following consultation with the Award Office in Brecon we have in place a system which will hopefully make the supply quick and easy for everyone involved in the Award.

See our DofE resources page for more information.

There are also many resources available to download free from the DofE website

Authorisation of awards

Bronze and Silver Awards are signed off by D of E Advisors, District Explorer Scout Commissioners or Area Scout Network Commissioners. Awards should only be signed off by persons who have received appropriate training.

Authorisation and presentation at Gold level are done via the area advisor and the Duke of Edinburgh Advisor for Wales.

Further Information

For more information, please see one of the following: