The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Canada
Encyclopedia
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (also referred to as The Award or The Duke of Ed) is an exciting self-development Programme available to all young people ages 14 to 25 equipping them with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and the world. To date; over 500,000 young people from Canada
and over 7 million youth in 130 countries have been motivated to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities.
There is no competition between participants. The only people with whom they compete are themselves. Self-motivation is fundamental to the Programme. There are no set standards to achieve. The criteria for gaining an Award is based on each participant's individual improvement and potential at the starting point of the Award. There is no such thing as failure in the Award. Even if an Award is not attained, just being involved brings new friends, new knowledge and new adventures. The Award programme has three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each requires an increasing level of commitment and effort.
The Award Programme is designed to encourage youth to set and achieve goals. It is a journey of self-development, self-training, and personal achievement, and is based upon individual effort and improvement. To achieve an Award, participants must set goals in all 4 programme areas (5 when achieving the Gold level):
To complete the Silver Award it will take the participant a minimum of 6 months if they previously achieved the Bronze Award. If not, it take 12 months to complete as a direct entry to Silver.
To complete the Gold Award it will take the participant a minimum of 12 months if they previously achieved the Silver Award. If not, it will take 18 months to complete as a direct entry to Gold.
Each participant has until their 25th birthday to complete all activities needed to achieve The Award.
In 1966, the first Gold Award Ceremony was held in Ottawa. His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip presented 18 recipients with their Gold Awards. By the early 1980s the Award was operating in Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, the Yukon and Northwest Territories.
Once launched within the 10 provinces and 2 territories, the Award programme began to find roots in Canadian soil and by 1986, British Columbia, the Yukon and Quebec had been recorded as to having the highest levels of participation.
The Award currently over 37,000 participants. As the Award continues to grow throughout Canada, we are projecting 40,000 participants within the next two to three years. There are approximately 5 million young people in Canada between the 14 to 25 age group. Nationally the programme has developed a number of initiatives to expand the Award so it becomes more accessible to; youth “at risk”, inner-city youth, young offenders, youth with disabilities, as well as northern and aboriginal youth. The Award remains as relevant to young people today as it did when it all began over 50 years ago.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is associated with The International Award Association
for Young People. In 1967 Canada hosted the first International Gold Event which brought Gold Award achievers from around the world to Canada. In 1988 Canada became a founding member of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award International Association and is currently one of the four largest National Award Authorities. In 2002, Canada hosted its second International Gold Event – Rendezvous 2002.
Gaisce - The President's Award
Hong Kong Award for Young People
International Award Association
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and over 7 million youth in 130 countries have been motivated to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities.
Concept of The Award
The purpose of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is to encourage young people to set their own goals and challenges, work towards achieving them, and then be recognized at the end for sustaining the commitment they have made.There is no competition between participants. The only people with whom they compete are themselves. Self-motivation is fundamental to the Programme. There are no set standards to achieve. The criteria for gaining an Award is based on each participant's individual improvement and potential at the starting point of the Award. There is no such thing as failure in the Award. Even if an Award is not attained, just being involved brings new friends, new knowledge and new adventures. The Award programme has three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each requires an increasing level of commitment and effort.
- Bronze: Open to those 14 years or older. The minimum period of participation to achieve this Award is 6 months.
- Silver: Open to those 15 years or older. The minimum period of participation to achieve this Award is 12 months.
- Gold: Open to those 16 years or older. The minimum period of participation to achieve this Award is 18 months.
The Award Programme is designed to encourage youth to set and achieve goals. It is a journey of self-development, self-training, and personal achievement, and is based upon individual effort and improvement. To achieve an Award, participants must set goals in all 4 programme areas (5 when achieving the Gold level):
- Service: This section is intended to develop a sense of responsibility to yourself and to your community.
- Adventurous Journey: Aims to cultivate a spirit of adventure, discovery and an understanding of the environment while undertaking a wilderness or adventure experience.
- Skills: Encourages the development of personal interests and social or practical skills.
- Physical Recreation: Encourages a sense of achievement and good health through regular physical activities.
- The Residential Project:(additional requirement at the Gold level) Aims to broaden horizons, experiences and outlook through living and working with others.
Time Frame
To complete the Bronze Award it will take the participant a minimum of 6 months.To complete the Silver Award it will take the participant a minimum of 6 months if they previously achieved the Bronze Award. If not, it take 12 months to complete as a direct entry to Silver.
To complete the Gold Award it will take the participant a minimum of 12 months if they previously achieved the Silver Award. If not, it will take 18 months to complete as a direct entry to Gold.
Each participant has until their 25th birthday to complete all activities needed to achieve The Award.
History of The Award in Canada
In 1963 The Award was launched in Canada and opened up to all young Canadians between the ages of 14 to 25. Pilot projects were launched in various cities in Nova Scotia, Ontario and British Columbia. In 1964 one of the first Award Ceremonies was held, with 48 Bronze and 6 Silver Awards presented to participants.In 1966, the first Gold Award Ceremony was held in Ottawa. His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip presented 18 recipients with their Gold Awards. By the early 1980s the Award was operating in Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, the Yukon and Northwest Territories.
Once launched within the 10 provinces and 2 territories, the Award programme began to find roots in Canadian soil and by 1986, British Columbia, the Yukon and Quebec had been recorded as to having the highest levels of participation.
The Award currently over 37,000 participants. As the Award continues to grow throughout Canada, we are projecting 40,000 participants within the next two to three years. There are approximately 5 million young people in Canada between the 14 to 25 age group. Nationally the programme has developed a number of initiatives to expand the Award so it becomes more accessible to; youth “at risk”, inner-city youth, young offenders, youth with disabilities, as well as northern and aboriginal youth. The Award remains as relevant to young people today as it did when it all began over 50 years ago.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is associated with The International Award Association
International Award Association
In 1988, representatives of the Award Programme worldwide founded The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award International Association ....
for Young People. In 1967 Canada hosted the first International Gold Event which brought Gold Award achievers from around the world to Canada. In 1988 Canada became a founding member of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award International Association and is currently one of the four largest National Award Authorities. In 2002, Canada hosted its second International Gold Event – Rendezvous 2002.
See Also
The Duke of Edinburgh's AwardThe Duke of Edinburgh's Award
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award , is a programme of activities that can be undertaken by anyone aged 14 to 24, regardless of personal ability....
Gaisce - The President's Award
Hong Kong Award for Young People
International Award Association
International Award Association
In 1988, representatives of the Award Programme worldwide founded The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award International Association ....