The Duke of Edinburgh's Award facts for kids

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (often called DofE) is a special program for young people. It started in the United Kingdom in 1956. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, created it. Now, it helps young people in 144 countries around the world.

The awards celebrate teenagers and young adults who complete different activities. These activities help them improve themselves. The program is based on ideas from Kurt Hahn, who believed in helping young people grow.

In the UK, a special organization called The Duke of Edinburgh's Award runs the program. It's a "royal charter corporation," which means it has a special official approval from the King or Queen. Outside the UK, another group, The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation, helps other countries run similar awards. These awards might have different names in countries that don't have a strong link to the British royal family.

History of the Award

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award was first announced in February 1955. At the very beginning, it was only for boys aged 15 to 18. John Hunt, Baron Hunt, helped create and manage the program. He was famous for leading the first successful climb of Mount Everest in 1953.

The award was made to attract boys who weren't interested in joining other youth groups, like the Scouts. You didn't have to join an organization or wear a uniform to take part. In the first year, 7,000 boys signed up! The program got some ideas from other awards, like the Moray Badge.

In November 1957, it was announced that girls could join too. From September 1958, girls aged 14 to 20 could start the program. The activities for girls were a bit different at first. The first girls received their Gold Awards in November 1959 at Buckingham Palace.

By 1965, the Gold Award became more similar for both boys and girls. In 1969, a single program for young people aged 14 to 21 was launched. Later, in 1980, the age limit was extended to 25 years old. In 2013, Prince Philip presented his 500th Gold Award!

The Award in the United Kingdom

A Duke of Edinburgh group on their expedition in 2008.

The first Duke of Edinburgh's Award ceremony in the UK happened in 1956. More and more young people have joined the DofE every year since then. By 2017, about 420,000 young people were taking part.

They participate through nearly 11,000 special DofE centers. These centers include schools, youth clubs, cadet groups, and businesses. Over 6 million young people in the UK have taken part in the DofE since 1956. Worldwide, that number is over 8 million!

In 2009, the old paper record books were replaced. A new online system called eDofE was introduced. Participants now use this system to track their progress. Leaders also use it to check how everyone is doing.

Understanding the Award Programs

Duke of Edinburgh's Award programs can take between one and four years to finish. You must complete your award before your 25th birthday. About 300,000 new young people start the program each year.

There are three levels you can achieve:

• Bronze
• Silver
• Gold

With help from adult leaders, you choose activities and set goals in five different areas:

• Volunteering: This means helping others or your community.
• Physical: This involves improving in a sport, dance, or fitness activity.
• Skills: This is about learning new practical or social skills, or developing a personal interest.
• Expedition: You plan, train for, and complete an adventurous journey. This can be in the UK or another country.
• Residential (Gold level only): For the Gold Award, you must also do a fifth section. This means staying and working away from home for five days. You'll do a shared activity with new people.

To earn an award, you need to work on each section for a certain amount of time. Someone who knows about your chosen activities will monitor and assess your progress. Each level needs more time and effort:

• Bronze: 3 to 6 months
• Silver: 6 to 9 months
• Gold: 12 to 18 months

You need to show regular activity and commitment to the award. This usually means at least one hour per week for the whole program.

The Award in Other Nations

Awards similar to The Duke of Edinburgh's Award are given in 144 countries. These programs are linked to the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Association. They are found in many parts of the world, including the Americas, Africa, Asia Pacific, and Europe.

The importance and popularity of these awards can be different in each country. Sometimes, they are run by private youth charities. For example, in the United States, about 7,000 young people participate each year.

Australia

The Award started in Australia in 1959. Today, over 30,000 young Australians begin a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award each year. Over 775,000 young Australians have completed their award so far. About 45,000 are actively taking part each year. They are supported by 60,000 volunteers.

The Duke of Ed in Australia is recognized as a way to organize non-formal education and learning. It's available in over 1,200 places across Australia. This includes schools, universities, and community groups.

Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, the award is offered through The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation Bangladesh. It has been in Dhaka since 2008. Many schools and universities take part.

Canada

The first Duke of Edinburgh's Award ceremony in Canada was in 1964. By 2011, about 500,000 Canadians had received the award. In 2013, the Royal Bank of Canada gave $1 million to help promote the program.

Cyprus

Young people in Cyprus have been able to participate in the Award for many years.

Eswatini

In Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), the program is called "The Prince Makhosini Award." As of 2013, 3,000 young people were taking part.

Ghana

The program in Ghana is called the Head of State Award. It began in 1967. By 2021, about 750,000 young people had participated.

Hong Kong

The "Hong Kong Award for Young People" used to be known as "The Duke of Edinburgh's Award." It is an active member of the International Award Association. The Hong Kong Award started in 1961. Currently, about 53,000 young people participate in Hong Kong. Over 600 different groups, like schools and youth organizations, run the Award Scheme.

India

India gives the "International Award for Young People" to youth. This program is based on the Duke of Edinburgh's award model. It was first introduced to India in 1962. In 1989, a charity called the Award Programme Foundation was set up to manage it.

About 19,000 young people participate each year in India. Awards are given at three levels: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. The level depends on how complex and time-consuming the projects are.

Ireland

Gaisce – The President's Award

"Gaisce – The President's Award" (which means "achievement" in Irish) was created in 1985. It joined the Duke of Edinburgh's International Awards Association in 1988. There are three awards: bronze, silver, and gold. Its popularity grew a lot when Mary Robinson was the President of Ireland.

Korea

The award started in Korea in 2008. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family supports it. Young people aged 14 to 25 can apply. You can start the Bronze Award at 14. For Silver, you need to be at least 15, and for Gold, at least 16.

Even though few people have won the Gold medal, the number of applicants has grown a lot. In 2011, there were 3,500 applicants. By 2015, over 6,000 young people had completed their awards. There are also 17 organizations that support the award.

Lesotho

"The Prince Mohato Award" began in 1976. Its patron is currently King Letsie III. Like in other countries, the award has three levels. Young people aged 14 to 25 can participate.

Malaysia

In Malaysia, the award is called "Anugerah Remaja Perdana, RAKAN MUDA." It is a full member of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Association. It officially launched in Malaysia in 2000. The Malaysian Minister of Youth and Sport gives out the gold award at a special ceremony.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, the Award is called the Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award. It was officially adopted in 1963. The name includes Sir Edmund Hillary, one of New Zealand's most famous adventurers.

Netherlands

The Award was started in the Netherlands in 1997. It is known as "The International Award for Young People." In 2007, the government officially recognized it. It can even be a substitute for community service in high school. Currently, 28 institutions offer the program.

Portugal

The "Prémio Infante D. Henrique" is the Portuguese version of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. It's for young people aged 14 to 24. It was created in 1988 by The Duke of Braganza. In 2015, it became an official part of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award network.

The Prémio Infante D. Henrique is a program of voluntary activities for personal and social growth. It has four main areas:

• Community service
• Personal talents
• Sports
• Expedition
• Residential project (only for those older than 16)

Romania

The Award was first introduced in Romania in 1991. Since 2011, the program has grown across the country. In 2013, it became a National Award Authority. Since June 2013, Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown, has been its Patron in Romania. The Award has grown quickly, involving over 10,000 young people and over 2,000 adult volunteers.

Singapore

In Singapore, the award is called "National Youth Achievement Award." It is a full member of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Association. President Wee Kim Wee officially launched it in Singapore in 1992.

South Africa

In South Africa, the Award is called the "President's Award for Youth Empowerment." It started in 1983 as the "Gold Shield Award." In 1992, its name changed to honor Nelson Mandela. Over 150,000 young people in South Africa have taken part in its 33-year history.

There are over 14,300 active participants in South Africa (as of 2014). The program is used by over 250 Award Units across the country. These include youth groups, schools, and correctional centers. The Award helps young people, especially those facing challenges in their communities. It's a long-term program, taking between three and five years to complete all three levels.

United States

In the United States, the award is offered through "The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award USA" organization, based in Chicago. Many schools and some Scout groups participate.

Zambia

"The Duke of Edinburgh International Award" was founded in Zambia in 1989. The idea was introduced earlier, in 1981. But it was in 1989 that the Zambian government decided to combine it with the President's Youth Award of Zambia. In 1991, a pilot project started with 50 young people. By the end of that year, 30 had earned the Bronze Award.

In the mid-1990s, private schools began to adopt the Award. They reported directly to the International Secretariat in London. Different private schools might use slightly different names for the award. However, the main goals of the award remain the same.

See also

• Outward Bound
• Hong Kong Award for Young People, known formerly as Duke of Edinburgh's Award
• The President's Challenge