Sport and Adventure

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme at Dauntseys continues to go from strength to strength. It is a nationally and internationally recognised scheme which enables pupils to reach their full potential in a range of endeavours. At Dauntseys, the scheme attracts approximately fifty new participants every year and many pupils complete both Bronze and Gold levels while they are here. There isn't enough time to fit in the Silver as well.

D of E participants

To achieve the Bronze award pupils have to undertake to complete each of the following four sections:

  • Service
  • Skill
  • Physical Recreation
  • Expedition

The Gold Award has a 5th section, in addition to those listed above, the Residential Section.

Although the specific benefits depend on the choice of activity, the different sections should provide the following opportunities:

Service:

  • make a personal contribution by dedicating free time to giving service to the community
  • appreciate the needs of others and contribute to their well-being by working with and for people with whom young people would not normally come into contact
  • trust and be trusted
  • understand personal strengths and weaknesses by reviewing their performance in briefing and training sessions
  • increase self-esteem by receiving positive feedback and learning to appreciate the value of making a personal contribution
  • overcome prejudice and fears through building new relationships and developing an empathy with others
  • generate positive action in the community by identifying and undertaking worthwhile service projects which benefit the local or wider community or the environment
    · accept responsibility through a personal commitment to an individual, organisation, group or community

Skills:

  • · develop practical and social skills by working alongside enthusiastic individuals who share their skills and knowledge
  • meet new people
  • organise and manage time
  • discover how to research information through communication with the instructor or mentor, using the internet, libraries and other resources, making appropriate contacts in the community and identifying other sources of help and guidance
  • set and respond to a challenge by developing an existing interest or trying something new
  • work with others to build relationships, gain benefit from their knowledge, appreciate their skills and to share a mutual interest
  • enjoy sharing an activity with adults and peers
  • discover new talents

Physical Recreation:

  • · enjoy keeping fit by choosing an activity which is in itself enjoyable, and which leads to the establishment of a lasting, active lifestyle
  • improve fitness by taking part in a physical activity on a regular basis
  • discover new abilities
  • raise self-esteem through improvement of performance and reaching the minimum requirements
  • extend personal goals by involvement and sustained interest
  • set and respond to a challenge by extending physical fitness and performance
  • experience a sense of achievement from meeting a physical challenge

Expeditions:

  • plan and execute a journey - requiring attention to detail and organisational ability
  • demonstrate enterprise and imagination – by the Team organising their own venture
  • work as a member of a team - all ventures must be a team effort
  • respond to a challenge - either planned or unforeseen
  • develop self-reliance - by carrying out an unaccompanied journey
  • develop leadership skills - members of the Team should have opportunities to take a leading role during different aspects of the venture
  • recognise the needs and strengths of others – by involving Team members in mutually supporting each other to ensure the success of the venture
  • make decisions and accept the consequences – by the Team making real decisions affecting their well-being
  • reflect on personal performance - through reviewing progress during training and at the end of the Qualifying Venture
  • enjoy and appreciate the environment – by developing an awareness of the areas visited and issues affecting the environment

Residential:

  • meet new people
  • experience an unfamiliar environment
  • build new relationships and show concern for others
  • work as part of a team towards shared goals
  • accept responsibility for self and others
  • develop communication skills
  • show initiative
  • enjoy living and working with others

With some guidance the pupils are expected to organise their own activities for the Service, Skill, Physical Recreation and Residential sections. The expedition section is completed by the pupils undertaking a programme of walking and camping expeditions in one of the following areas:

  • Marlborough Downs
  • Isle of Purbeck
  • Dartmoor
  • Wales
  • The Lake District

  • For Bronze the expedition comprises walking 15 miles or a minimum of 6 hours activity each day for 2 days with one overnight camp. The pupils must complete 1 training weekend before undertaking their practice weekend.

    For Gold the expedition is naturally more arduous with a walk of 50 miles or 8 hours activity per day for 4 days with 3 nights camping. The pupils must attend at least 2 training weekends and a practice expedition before their final assessed expedition.

     

     


    Dauntsey's is very proud of its achievements with the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. The spirit of the scheme is that pupils discover a great deal about themselves and come to know the enjoyment of working with and for other people. Pupils who have participated in DofE at Dauntsey's have said it is one of the most rewarding aspects of their time at the school.

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Introduction

Dauntsey's Expedition and Mountaineering Society

Ocean Sailing

Moonrakers

D. of E.

Devizes to Westminster

Ten Tors

Brecons Challenge

Horse Riding

Diving