Duke of Edinburgh

Duke of Edinburgh

The Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award is established in more than 140 countries worldwide, with just over 500 licensed award units in New Zealand. Approximately 14,801 young people in New Zealand are involved in award activities, assisted by thousands of volunteers.

Any young person aged between 14 and 25 can participate. The award represents a tough challenge that not all students will complete. However, this ensures the sense of accomplishment at achieving a bronze, silver or gold level is considerable. The award’s focus is on completing individual challenges. As each individual is different, so too are the challenges undertaken to achieve each award. With adult guidance, your daughter would be encouraged to reflect upon her interests, abilities and ambitions before embarking on challenges in the four different sections of the award.

The award has four sections that provide a framework to encourage physical activity, mental challenges, individual perseverance, teamwork and interaction with others. An individual’s award activities should reflect their own interests, but should also show breadth and not be focused on similar activities.

The award is non-competitive, with a focus on individual challenge and cooperation as opposed to competition. Young people must elect to participate (it cannot be compulsory). That ownership of the challenge helps ensure each participant is more likely to strive to earn the results they seek.

Once the entire programme is completed satisfactorily, the participant receives a certificate and pin/medal at a suitable recognition ceremony.

While completing the award, participants are encouraged to show imagination and to set goals, not limits when striving to reach their potential.

Lives are changed, both for the young people and for those with whom they come into contact.

At the end of the process, your daughter should have developed many of the following:

• Self-belief and self-confidence.
• A positive and realistic self-image – they will know and accept their own strengths and weaknesses, and be more aware of their own potential.
• An independent and self-motivating attitude.
• A sense of responsibility toward others.
• A connection to the broader society.
• New or improved interests, skills and abilities.
• A willingness to try new things.
• New friendships and relationships with their peers and older people.
• The ability to make a plan and initiate that plan.
• Develop lifelong interests.
• Improved team skills.
• Enhanced life skills that include negotiation, research, communication, problem solving and presentation skills.

For more information on the awards please visit the website: http://www.dofehillary.org.nz/