The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Bermuda

PARTICIPANTS (must be between 14 and 25 years of age)

So, you're interested in becoming a Participant! That's great! Click on YouTube to watch a short clip about how The Award operates:

4 SIMPLE STEPS TO BECOME A
DofE PARTICIPANT:

Join an AWARD GROUP at your school, your Club or at the Open Award Group at The Centre in Hamilton. To check out the list of Award Groups and find the one closest to you, click here!
Obtain a RECORD BOOK from the Award Leader of the Award Group that you join and complete the personal information sections, including Start Date and picture! (What's a Record Book? Click here!)
You then look at each AWARD SECTION and decide what you want to do for each. Your Award Leader will be able to help you if you need assistance. (Check out our Resource Page for tips on managing your Record Book and Award Sections).
Make a note of your plans, confirm your Award Activities and Start Dates with your AWARD LEADER and then off you go!

Remember to confirm with your Award Leader what you're going to do, just so you don't waste any time on activities which may not count! Make sure that the activities you choose are in the right Section - Dance, for example, is a Physical Recreation activity, not a Skill!

Be sure to complete your Record Book as you go, getting your ACTIVITY COACH (sports coach, music teacher, someone with specialist knowledge, etc.) to sign each Section once you have completed the MINIMUM time required for each Award Section - and keep in touch with your Award Leader.

Most of all... HAVE FUN!

Award Leaders
The Back Bone of our Programme

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Bermuda programme is available to all young people in Bermuda through different types of Award Groups and Centres. Currently, The Award operates in the following Award Centers: CedarBridge Academy, The CoEducational Facility (Court Services), Mount St. Agnes Academy, The Bermuda Institute, Saltus Grammar School, Somersfield Academy, The Berkeley Institute, The Bermuda High School and Warwick Academy. We also have our OPEN Award Group, 'De Navigators' that operate out of The Centre in Hamilton.

These Award Groups need Award Leaders in order to assist Young People complete their Awards. The only prerequisite to becoming an Award Leader is the ability to relate to Young People and a desire and passion for their healthy development.

Award Leaders are individuals who support the overall mission of The Award and who are committed to creating a positive, supportive and encouraging environment for participants.

The Award Leader oversees the running of the Award within a Group and is the key link between Young People, Award Activity Providers and the National Award Authority. Award Leaders ensure the overall quality of the Award experience for their Participants. They might also be involved with activities such as instructing, supervising or assessing young people in any of the four Award Sections. In addition, an Award Leader is responsible for organising the Award Group and looking after its administration.

Award Leader Responsibilities:

To advise, guide and assist Young People to participate in the Award
To maintain the operation of the Programme within the Award Unit
To keep records of Participants and Helpers
To liaise and co-ordinate activities with other Award Operators
To ensure the Awards gained are authorised
To ensure the safety and well-being of the Participants
To train Participants in the Expedition/Adventurous Journey Section
To coordinate the Expedition/Adventurous Journey
To ensure the operation of the Award in their Unit meets the requirements and standards of the Award

Becoming an Award Leader is SIMPLE:

Simply Contact Us at dofe@theaward.bm or at 537.4848.
Download the Award Handbook (Read thoroughly - this is a great resource that will provide you with enough info that will get you started with The Award).
Get Trained & Certified (Just visit our Events Page to see when the next Award Leader Training & Certification Course will be. Don't forget - all training is FREE and certified by The Bermuda Educator's Council!).
Check out our Resource Page for tips on managing your Award Group and the Award Sections.

Award Assessors
Our Quality Control Experts

The Award is always looking for those that are willing to support us with their time. We realize the worth of one’s time and thoroughly appreciate our Supporters. In the Adventurous Journey Section, previously known as the Expeditions Section, Young People plan, prepare for and undertake their own unaccompanied venture. At the Bronze and Silver Levels, Adventurous Journeys take place all over our island, including camping out on some of our smaller islands. As Bermuda does not have enough challenging terrain (or space), to offer a qualifying Gold Level Adventurous Journey, our National Award Authority organises overseas Adventurous Journeys to different countries within our Region - The Americas. Participants in both Silver and Gold may participate in these incredible Overseas Adventurous Journeys.

Award Assessors have a crucial role to play in ensuring that the Participant has a safe and enjoyable experience, while also confirming that they all fulfil the conditions of the Adventurous Journey (i.e. Route Card accuracy, demonstrating appropriate Camp Craft, Navigation and Safety Skills, etc.). Finally, Award Assessors work with the Participant to make sure that a clear PURPOSE has been established and that a FINAL REPORT has been produced following the Adventurous Journey.

Assessors are assigned and responsible for assessing one or more Award Groups. Assessors are provided with an Assessing Form indicating the Group to be assessed and provides guidance in terms of the things that need to be assessed. In addition, each Assessor is given a copy of the Group's Route Card in order to facilitate the Assessing process. Since Assessing a Group includes random checks throughout the Adventurous Journey, assessing can be done at times most convenient for the Assessor.

Mr. Norman C. Pogson (Dr. P.)
Gold Alumni '71
Award Deputy Chair
Expedition Chair