The Duke of Edinburgh award consists of a skill, physical and volunteering section, as well as a challenging expedition during which the participants are made to break free of their usual routine and embrace nature.
However, it isn’t just something to pad out your university application with. D of E gives young people valuable new skills and perspectives, and from my own experiences, I know that these can come in handy later in life.
Technology is something that teenagers especially have come to heavily rely on in recent years.
From education to social media, a lot of our day is spent bent over a screen.
The D of E expedition forces you to take a much-needed digital break.
It comes with many mental health benefits, but it is also an amazing opportunity to learn valuable skills such as teamwork, responsibility, and resilience.
Having to be flexible through challenges gives you confidence- a great way to boost morale with an impossible workload and fast approaching exams.
As well as the expedition, D of E is made up of Skills, Physical and Volunteering sections. Balancing these with already existing schoolwork and extra curriculums is an effective way of getting to grips with time management and organisation.
Working unpaid for your community (whether that includes stacking books at the library, or like me, reading with Primary School kids two mornings a week) helps you work on leadership and reliability and goes towards you becoming a more well-rounded individual.
Along with this comes your Skills and Physical sections.
They could be activities that you are already taking part in, but they could just as well be new things that you are encouraged to try out and possibly discover that you love!
This could introduce you to a sport or activity that you could continue throughout your adult life and develop a passion for, leading to a healthier body and mind.
It is also an amazing opportunity to expand your interests.
Wimbledon High School teacher and Coordinator of School D of E Tristan Daws says that ‘The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an invaluable way for students to disconnect from their fast-paced lives and reconnect with the natural world. It gives them a chance to slow down, enjoy nature, and to go on an adventure in a stunning national park!’
He adds that ‘It’s also a great opportunity to recognise their personal achievements, whether it be learning a new instrument or trying a new sport, and I’m always delighted to hear about the range of volunteering opportunities students find, and what they get out of reaching out to our community to help others.’
Whether as an excuse to do more exercise, find a new hobby, or even spend some time out in nature, D of E is a once in a lifetime experience, and I encourage everyone to give it a go!
