Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

September 1, 2020

Waterloo Explorers, Belgium, on an expedition for their Chief Scout’s Diamond Award


The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for members of BSO

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 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 Award activities can count towards your scout awards and vice-verse.


Anyone between aged 14-24 can participate. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is non-competitive and you can choose from hundreds of activities which you prefer. Doing your DofE 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 DofE programme by choosing volunteering, physical and skills activities, and complete an expedition (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 DofE Award, you need to fill out a DofE Participant Enrolment Form and give it to your Scout Leader who will pass it on to the local Award Leader. The Award Leader then submits a completed Participation Places Form to your local Award Operator.


Once your place has been registered, you will be given an account on the eDofE online system 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.


News for Leaders

Leaders who wish to become a DofE accredited expedition 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 Advisor.


Tan Pearce
Area DofE Advisor

Share:

October 24, 2025
Find out what's happening across BSO with our latest Far & Wide Magazine, with information on events and important updates.
By James Scott October 19, 2025
Thinking about joining the BSO Southern Europe Jamborette in Spain next summer? Join us on Thursday 30th October at 20:30 (Spain) / 19:30 (UK) to find out more about this incredible adventure!
By Graham Eden October 15, 2025
Could the World Scout Jamboree Be for You? The World Scout Jamboree is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, with tens of thousands of Scouts from all over the world. It’s about making new friends, trying new things, learning about different cultures, and discovering what you’re capable of. But it’s also a big commitment. It takes time, energy, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. This experience isn’t right for everyone, and that’s okay. There are lots of other amazing opportunities in Scouting, too. This description is here to help you decide if applying for the Jamboree is something you’d enjoy and grow from. What Kind of Young People Are We Looking For? There’s no such thing as a “perfect” Jamboree participant. We’re not looking for the loudest, the most confident, or the most experienced. We’re looking for a mix of people who are ready to: Be part of a team – listen, support others, and work together Try new things – even if they feel a bit scary at first Be open-minded – meet people from different backgrounds and cultures Get stuck in – whether it’s cooking dinner, putting up tents, or joining in activities Grow – learn about yourself, challenge yourself, and come back with stories to tell You don’t need to have done anything like this before. You just need to be up for the journey and be born between 30 July 2009 and 30 July 2013. What You’ll Be Expected to Do If you’re selected, you’ll be part of a Unit with other young people from your area. You’ll: Take part in training weekends and team-building activities Help fundraise for your place and support others in doing the same Represent your community and the UK at an international event Be ready to learn, laugh, and maybe even get a bit muddy! Still Not Sure? That’s okay. Talk to your leaders, your family, or someone who’s been to a Jamboree before. Ask questions. Think about what excites you and what worries you. This might be the right adventure for you, or it might not be. Either way, there’s something in Scouting for everyone.
Show More