Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme – Bronze Award

This is a brief guide about what you have to achieve for the Bronze Award. The minimum time for completing the Award is 6 months.

You can start to work for your Bronze Award any time after your fourteenth birthday. You may be allowed to take part in some activities just before you are 14 if you are part of a youth group. Your adult leader will need to get special permission to allow you to do this.

For the Bronze Award you must complete an activity for each of the four sections; Service, Physical Recreation, Expedition and Skills.

The activities that are offered in each section are so varied, there is something to suit everyone. An adult leader or helper can advise you about the different options available.

All the activities involve planning, regular assessment and a lot of fun. The times given are the least that you can do to achieve the Bronze Award. They are really for guidance as there is no time limit to the activities. You can work on each activity for as long as it takes and you should aim to do more than the minimum to get the best from yourself and learn as much as you can.

You may find that your choices are so interesting and enjoyable that you want to spend longer doing them. Remember that you are working to achieve a set standard and show improvement.

• Service
  You must choose a type of service where you can give practical help to others. To show your commitment, you must spend at least 15 hours over a three month period with this service. Some forms of service lead towards a qualification such as a first aid certificate.
• Physical recreation
  This is an opportunity to take up a physical activity for a minimum of 12 hours over at least 12 weeks. Within the activity you are awarded points for skills, achievements and effort. You must reach 24 points for a Bronze Award. If you choose an activity you have not done before you might find it a more interesting challenge.
• Expedition
  This activity needs practice and plenty of planning. In a group of 4-7 people, you must carry out a two day expedition that includes one night camping. During the expedition you must cover at least 15 miles on foot, or at least 70 miles by bicycle.
• Skills
  You must choose a hobby or skill to work at regularly for at least six months. During that time you must show how you have improved your skill or knowledge. There are a huge number of different skills that you can choose from, from playing an instrument to needlecraft or metalwork.