Welcome to Hornchurch District’s Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award Scheme
There are three levels of the DofE programme: Bronze, Silver and Gold.
To achieve your Award, you must set goals and work towards them in the following sections; Volunteering, Skill, Physical, Expedition and in addition for Gold level only, Residential.
Bronze
For ages 14+*
It will usually take you at least 6 month to complete your Bronze programme.
- Volunteering section: 3 months
- Physical section: 3 months
- Skills sections: 3 months
- Expedition sections: 2 days/1 night
You also have to spend an extra three months on one of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections. It’s your choice which one and, though you can change your mind later, you should decide which section you want to do for longer at the beginning. Knowing how long you’re going to do it for will help you to choose your activity and set your goals for each section.
Your achievements link directly to the Chief Scout’s Platinum Awards (Explorers)
*If you aren’t 14 yet, but in the school year in which your peer group turns 14, you may still be able to start. All activities must be completed by your 25th birthday.
Silver
For ages 15+*
It will take you at least 6 months for Silver if you’ve already achieved your Bronze Award, or 12 months if you’ve jumped straight into Silver.
- Volunteeing Section: 6 months
- Physical and Skills sections: One section for 6 months and the other section for 3 months
- Expedition section: 3 days/2 nights
If you didn’t do Bronze, you must undertake a further 6 months in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.
Your achievements link directly to the Chief Scout’s Diamond Award (Explorers & Network)
*If you aren’t 15 yet, but in the school year in which your peer group turns 15, you may still be able to start. All activities must be completed by your 25th birthday.
Gold
For ages 16+*
For Gold you’ll need to do your programme for at least 12 months if you’ve achieved your Silver Award, or 18 months if you’ve started at Gold level without doing your Silver (even if you’ve done Bronze). The big difference at Gold is you’ll also do a Residential section – staying away from home for five days and four nights doing a shared activity with people you don’t know.
- Volunteering section: 12 months
- Physical and Skills sections: One section for 12 months and the other section for 6 months
- Expedition section: 4 days/3 nights
- Residential section: Undertake a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights
If you didn’t do Silver, you must undertake a further 6 months in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.
Your achievements link directly to the King’s Scouts Award (Explorers aged 16+ & Network)
*The age range for this award is strictly set: any work done on the award under 16 unfortunatly won’t count. All activities must be completed by your 25th birthday.
For all DofE Awards you must be an Explorer Scout or Scout Network member and then meet the minimum age requirements.
Bronze – be in the academic year in which you turn 14.
Silver – be in the academic year in which you turn 15.
Gold – you must be 16.
You will need to agree on an activity for each section and set some goals with your Leader. This might include Scouting activities such as hiking, taking part in staged performances or being an Explorer Scout Young Leader. It may also include hobbies such as dancing, playing a sport or learning a musical instrument. You’re probably already doing some activities that could count. It is up to you whether you decide to start something as a beginner or work on an existing interest – as long as you are developing and having fun!
The duration of each section will vary depending on the level of the award). You must complete an hour a week (or equivalent, such as two hours every two weeks) of your Volunteering, Skill and Physical activity for its duration. All DofE awards must be completed by your 25th birthday.
There’s more good news! Time spent on completing your DofE programme also counts towards your top awards in Scouting. The top awards in Scouting have been carefully aligned with the DofE meaning that if you are working towards one you may as well work towards the other. Information about how the DofE awards and Scouting awards align can be found on the following pages, with more detail also available here.
If you choose to work towards your Gold DofE Award you can work towards your King’s Scout Award (KSA) and cross-credit all of the relevant sections. There are just a few more requirements you’ll need to complete for the KSA and then you’ll have achieved both awards! Both award programmes are highly respected by potential employers, colleges and universities, so the awards are great additions to your CV! Find out more about KSA here.
The cost for Bronze and Silver participants who complete their award through Hornchurch District is £175 in 2025. This cost covers all aspects of the award including registration with DofE, expeditions, training evenings and goes towards equipment which may be borrowed throughout the expeditions.
Further details, including how to make payment will be provided following registration of the award.
Whether you’re signing up for the first time or registering to complete the next level of the award (Silver or Gold), then click here to register.
Please email DofE@hornchurchscouts.org.uk if you have any questions.
These are the dates for our 2025 Bronze and Silver participants. All evening sessions are held at 1st Upminster’s HQ, Gwillcoo in Brookdale Avenue, Upminster, RM14 2LT. Those looking to complete their Gold award will be advised separately.
| Introduction Evening: | Wedneday 16th October 2024 |
| Activity Evening: | Tuesday 14th January 2025 |
| Training Weekend: | Saturday 22nd – Sunday 23rd March 2025 |
| Training Evening: | Wednesday 23rd April 2025 |
| Route Planning Evening: | Wednesday 14th May 2025 |
| Practice Expedition: | Friday 27th – Sunday 29th June 2025 |
| Route Planning Evening: | Wednesday 9th July 2025 |
| Qualifying Expedition: | Friday 9th – Sunday 10th August 2025 |