What do they do? Each individual is assessed on his or her progress, perseverance and achievement. They may belong to an organisation or be taking part individually or together with others of their own age group. There are three awards - Bronze, Silver and Gold. For each Award the participant has to fulfill the requirement of each of the four sections of the Scheme; service, Expeditions, Skills and Physical Recreation, with addition of the Residential Project at Gold Level. Read on to see what a young person would have to do to gain an Award. Birmingham boasts 15 Operating Authorities who represent uniformed organisation, schools, church groups, youth clubs and independent youth groups. There are 15 Open Award Centers across the city whose voluntary leaders cater for the needs of unattached participants.
A little fewer than 2000 young people participated in 1999:
55% female, 45% male
23% f
rom minority ethnic communities
2.6% who have a sp
ecific need
280
voluntary leaders are involved The Birmingham Development Programme held Leader Training events for 64 leaders, Participant training events for 240 participants. The National Award Scheme looks to Birmingham for advice in many aspects of the Scheme especially the Inner City Development Programme that started in 1981. Introductory Leadership Courses are organized during the year and promotions of the Award Scheme take place throughout the year at any youth group location.
Who there clients are
It is open to all young people between 14 and 25 years of age whether they are disabled or able bodied, an academic or slow learner, employed or unemployed. There are no barriers in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. It is a challenge to the individual. The scheme is not itself a Youth Organisation. It is a programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities, flexible enough to meet the enthusiasms and aptitudes of all young people however plentiful or limited their resources may be. The Award Scheme is designed to enhance the necessary skills that young people need to acquire for personal development and to fill their role as a citizen inside or outside the world of employment. The Scheme is voluntary and is based on leisure time activities. It is not competitive.
Outdoor activity
An action-packed outdoor adventure which qualifies for the residential element of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award. A wide range of mountain and water based outdoor activities in a group of like-minded and motivated people.
There will be the challenge of working together to solve problems such as the "spiders web", where thinking will be as important as just getting on with it. Once you have been issued with your equipment, it will be time to go down to the water or off to the hills. There will be very little time for sitting around as you tackle an abseil, rock climb or the challenge of scrambling up a mountain stream, waterfalls and all! The mini expedition at the end of the week will include a night in the mountains either in a tent or a mountain hut. Soon the group will feel like a collection of friends who rely on each other in activities such as raft building and the memorable high level ropes course. It will be over too soon but there will be your certificate and memories of the adventure of a lifetime.
