Duke of Edinburgh's Award

The Department of Education and Children is an Operating Authority for The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.  

The Award was founded in 1956 under the patronage of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, who remains patron. HRH the Earl of Wessex is a Trustee. DofE started in the Isle of Man in 1959.

To gain a Bronze award, over 14s must complete at least 3 months on each of 3 sections – volunteering, physical and skills – opting for 6 months on one of them. They must also plan, train for and complete a 2-day expedition.

Over 15s can step up to work towards a Silver award, which involves a minimum of 6 months volunteering and 6 months on either physical or skills, with 3 months on the other. They must tackle a 3-day expedition.

The ultimate award, the Gold, can be started from the age of 16. Young people spend a year volunteering and the same period on either physical or skills, with 6 months on the other. They also complete an expedition of at least 4 days and 3 nights and an extra section a residential, spending 5 days undertaking group activities with people they don't know.

At any one time around 800 young people in the Isle of Man are working towards awards via their secondary schools, voluntary youth organisations or youth groups.

An annual presentation of Bronze and Silver awards takes place at the Gaiety Theatre in the autumn and young people who have achieved their Gold award are honoured separately at a ceremony at Government House at Easter.

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