Too late to do the DofE Award?

I'm 22, I've finished university and am now working full-time, and studying part-time. Lately I've been thinking about what I've done with my life in the past few years, and I can't help but wish I'd done a bit more than drink and... well that's about it!

I've started thinking about the Duke of Edinburgh Gold award - it's something I used to want to do, before I got a little sidetracked. Do you think it's a bit late to start doing this? And a bit meaningless at this stage of my life? Or do you think it would be a worthwhile experience?

Any input is welcome, thanks guys :smile:

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Reply 1

Vesta

I'm currently doing Gold, and I definitely think you should do it. Not just for another thing to add to a CV, but for the personal gain. You have until you're 25 to complete it, so you definitely still have time - it's not too late.
Definitely not meaningless - it's a great oppourtunity for you to meet new people, pick up a new hobby, become more physically active, take part in expeditions - go for it! I can't think of a more worthwhile thing to do with your time. :smile:

Reply 2

Fluent in Lies

Isn't the duke of edinburgh dead?

Reply 3

Drarren

I thought he was still alive, but his son is in charge now anyway I think.

I've completed bronze and silver, and I'm doing gold now, and it's deffinetly a great thing :biggrin:

IMO there aren't many better ways to get to know people than going on a long hike with just your group, and it's always lovely to get out and see the countryside a bit anyway.
Plus the different things you have to do are so varied that you end up with lots of new experiences.

Reply 4

Spannerism

Duke of Edinburgh you can do up to the age of 25.

You can potentially get the gold in less than 2 years if I remember. You just gotta work hard.

Reply 5

240920

If you havent done bronze or silver, you can complete the gold in 18 months. I would strongly recomend it :smile:

Made some good friends and had some really good times

Reply 6

Captain Haddock

DoE is a great time, you can still do it and you certainly should.

Reply 7

Duran Duran

Hold on. So can you do the Gold award without doing the Bronze and Silver first ?

Reply 8

240920

Indeed you can. You just have to do an extra 6 months service, or 6 months on the longer skills or physical recreation section.

Reply 9

Vesta

Spannerism

Duke of Edinburgh you can do up to the age of 25.

You can potentially get the gold in less than 2 years if I remember. You just gotta work hard.

1 year, if you have silver. :smile:

Reply 10

Duran Duran

cRaig

Indeed you can. You just have to do an extra 6 months service, or 6 months on the longer skills or physical recreation section.

Interesting....I might actually do that.

Reply 11

shell_xx

Well the responses on here are pretty positive, so I'm more encouraged now :smile:

I'm just worried that cause I'm on my own, I'll be really old compared to other people. I don't have a clue about what to do next, I'm not sure whether I can do it on my own?

Reply 12

Drarren

You can do most of it on your own, but u need a group of 4 to 7 people for the expeditions.

Reply 13

240920

Try looking for a local group- I wouldnt think that it'll make much difference you being older, and the groups are usually friendly- I moved group for gold :smile:

http://www.theaward.org/participants/index.php?ids=3013&id=1952

Reply 14

recneps

Fluent in Lies

Isn't the duke of edinburgh dead?

Still alive, but no longer really involved in the award.

Agelimit is 25. But it takes at least a year and probably a couple to get it all done - so dont leave it much longer!

Reply 15

240920

recneps

Still alive, but no longer really involved in the award.

Agelimit is 25. But it takes at least a year and probably a couple to get it all done - so dont leave it much longer!

He is still kinda involved- he is present at every award ceremony- I met him in march at mine. He doesnt actually give out the awards, he just walks round and meets everyone and has a quick chat.

Reply 16

Drarren

I forgot to go to my bronze award ceremony. Just plain forgot. In the evening I suddenly remembered and was like ****! lol

Reply 17

Zygroth

Drarren

I forgot to go to my bronze award ceremony. Just plain forgot. In the evening I suddenly remembered and was like ****! lol

I couldn't be bothered to go to my bronze award ceremony. What a huge waste of time...The best thing there, according to a few friends, was the free food :P

I heard that not all centres actually do the Gold level of DofE, because you'll be needing to trek in wilderness pretty much, which is pretty dangerous and needs a highly qualified member of staff. Hell, you can qualify to run Bronze and Silver expeditions when you're 17, the expeditions can be in fairly urban areas.

I would definitely recommend doing both Bronze and Silver before Gold, because you can develop the skills you need (And not get lost :P) and gain experience from the previous expeditions so you know what to take and stuff like that.