Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE)

What is the DofE?

A life-changing experience. An opportunity to have fun with friends. A chance to discover new interests and talents. A tool to develop essential skills for life and work. A recognised mark of achievement, respected by employers. The DofE is many things to many people, supporting generations to successfully navigate life.

14–24-year-olds can do a DofE programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, leads to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter and healthier, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a residential activity.

Any young person can do their DofE. Achieving an Award isn’t a competition or about being first. It’s all about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries.

Through a DofE programme young people have fun, make friends, improve their self-esteem and build confidence. They gain essential skills and attributes for work and life such as resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication and drive, enhancing CVs and university and job applications.

Important Dates

• 10th October 2025 - Bronze enrolment deadline
• 9th March 2026 5-6pm - TEAMS meeting relating to the March Bronze expedition
• 20th-21st March 2026 - 1st Bronze Lincolnshire Wolds expedition
• 27th April 2026 5-6pm - TEAMS meeting relating to the May Bronze expedition
• 5th May 2026 5-6pm - TEAMS meeting relating to the Silver practice expedition
• 8th-9th May 2026 - 2nd Bronze Lincolnshire Wolds expedition
• 21st-23rd May 2026 - Silver practice expedition (3 days)
• 1st June 2026 - TEAMS meeting relating to the June Bronze expedition
• 12th-13th June 2026 - 3rd Bronze Lincolnshire Wolds expedition
• 22nd June 2026 5-6pm - TEAMS meeting relating to the Silver qualifier expedition
• 5th-8th July 2026 - Silver qualifier expedition in the Yorkshire Dales