Duke of Edinburgh's International Award

Are you looking for some fun, action, and adventure combined into not only one great award system but into two? Then the Duke of Edinburgh International Award (International Award) is the perfect opportunity to have fun, adventure and action all in one. The Award is directly linked to the chief scout’s platinum, diamond and Queen’s Scout awards; which means your completed activities during your DofE International Award activities can count towards your scout awards and vice-verse.

Anyone between aged 14-24 can participate. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is non-competitive, and you can choose from hundreds of activities which you prefer. Doing your International Award gives you the opportunity to experience new activities and develop existing skills, meet others, and gain some of Scouting’s top awards.

First, depending on your age, you chose a level, bronze, silver or gold. You then create your own programme by choosing volunteering, physical and skills activities, and complete an adventurous journey and when all has been successfully completed you will be presented with your award certificate during a special Award Ceremony. For the gold level you just need to additionally take part in a residential activity, which, when successfully completed, leads to the highest award level, and a very special Award Ceremony.

Registration Process

When you are interested in completing the International Award, you will need to register with your local group / International Award Centre Leader. Your leader will be able to help you register. If you need any help to register you can also contact our area advisor.

Once your place has been registered, you will be given an account on the Online Record Book (ORB) to track and log your Award progress; and you are ready to rumble. It’s as simple as that.

The great thing is it doesn’t matter where you are in BSO, when you have a Scout Leader running the Award, you will be able to complete the award. If you ever move to another country, or even continent, you can still continue as your registration and activity log-book are all on-line.

If you are a scout who loves adventure, action, and fun, then speak to your Scout Leader, and they can give you more information.

What do the Scouting Awards and the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award have in common?

In simple words, a lot. Being a Scout is something you will remember for the rest of your life; and completing The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is no different. Both Scouting and the International Award provide you with recognition of your achievement which will advance you for the rest of your life. Both award programmes give you the chance to make friends, have fun and build your confidence in an empowering, exciting and non-competitive learning environment.

Scouts who have participated in both award systems have developed their range of practical and character skills – such as resilience, problem-solving, team-working and drive – and have achieved a stronger sense of self; all of which can lead to an expanded CV for your University or future job applications.

The Scouting Top Awards compliment the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in many ways, they both encourage you to look at your environment, your social surroundings, yourself, and our planet. Scouting on a global scale includes development, peace, and environment; as does the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

When combining your Scouting activities for the Scouting Top Awards you will be able to merge your achievements with the requirements of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award or vice-versa, which will make attaining both a Scouting Top Award and the International Award reachable.

This “two birds with one stone” principle can follow your development through the Chief Scout's Awards Platinum/Diamond to the Queen's Scout Award simultaneously with your development in the International Award’s Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels as they complement each other all the way.

Leaders

Leaders who wish to become an accredited adventurous journey assessor or Award Leader need to complete certain training which can also done on-line, depending on which position you volunteer for. I can assure you that the Award is as much fun and adventure for the Award Leaders as it is for the participants. If any leader has any questions, please contact me your Area Duke of Edinburgh International Award Advisor.

Tan Pearce

Area DofE International Award Advisor