Duke of Edinburgh Award for Homeschooling
Written by Sonny Whittaker
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a program focused on helping young people develop useful skills and good habits. It can be completed by people aged 14-24. There are three levels - Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each level requires participants to complete a certain number of hours in three sections - Skills, Physical Recreation, and Service. The participants choose what they want to do for each section and set a goal during the time. They can log an hour a week on the online record book (ORB) through the online app and website, to keep track of their progress. Once they have logged all the required hours, they send it to their chosen assessor for approval.
The other part of the Duke of Ed is Adventurous Journeys. Each participant goes on two Adventurous Journeys. One practice, and one qualifying journey. The purpose of these journeys is for the participants to learn independence, leadership, and team building skills as they go in groups and work as a team. They go to a nature place and do an activity such as hiking or canoeing. They stay a number of nights, dependant on the Duke of Edinburgh Award level. The practice journey allows participants to get used to how it works.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award activity requirements.
My experience with the Duke of Ed has been quite good. I’m nearly finished my Bronze and intend to continue to Silver next year. The Duke of Ed has been good for me as it requires me to take charge of keeping up to date and completing the goals I set. I have two brothers doing the Silver, so it was useful to have them around to ask questions when I got stuck with something. I also have two friends doing the Bronze with me, so when we went on our Adventurous Journey it was nice to have people I knew already there.
Canoeing near Kinaba Information Centre, Lake Cootharaba, Noosa North Shore, Queensland.
Both of our journeys were canoeing journeys this year. We had to fit all our supplies and equipment into these 60L watertight barrels and paddle with them tied to our canoes. We had to be careful about our food choices as the space was limited. We chose to take along dehydrated meals as they were quick and convenient.
Canoeing was hard and pretty uncomfortable, but it was so much fun. We took turns of being in front and back, as the rear person in the canoe steers. Being a canoeing journey, we were bound to get wet. But our supervisor let us go swimming a few times and it was great to cool off after sweating it out paddling a few kilometres. Also, during the practice, we all gathered around the campfire and shared stories with each other.
The Duke of Ed has been really beneficial for me, and I would recommend anyone to do it. It provides opportunities for growth and independence, as well as the chance to learn new skills and get out of your comfort zone.
Editor notes:
This blog piece was written last year by my son as part of his English work sample for our Home Education Unit Queensland student report. Since then, he has completed his Bronze Award and is now working towards his Silver. This year, he is learning to play the drums, attending jiujitsu classes, and volunteering with Trove to edit digital media news stories. Although he has yet to plan his Adventurous Journeys, he hopes to visit Carnarvon Gorge or go on a sailing trip with his brother.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is recognised in most states towards student’s senior certificates. My sons also include their Duke of Award certification in their student portfolios and resumes. All three of my sons have used this extra curricular program to help them secure casual employment and to enter university at school subjects.
Wish to know more about the Duke of Edinburgh Award for homeschooling? Please get in contact by booking a free 15 minute Discovery Call, or email me at jillina@homeschoolhotline.com.au
