The Duke of Edinburgh s Silver Award Scheme

Transcription

1 The Duke of Edinburgh s Silver Award Scheme 1

2 Welcome to The Duke of Edinburgh s Silver Award scheme. Parkside Federation Academies are working with JoyofAdventure to deliver the Silver Award. The DofE programme is an adventure from beginning to end. Over 1.5 million young people aged between 14 and 25 have completed the Award since it was first started in The Duke of Edinburgh Award web page is very informative. The information is designed to give participants and parents a basic overview of what is involved and further information can be found at JoyofAdventure Educator and trainer Joy Martin has over 30 years of experience working with young people in the outdoors as a teacher, youth worker and Duke of Edinburgh s award manager. She trained at Homerton College, Cambridge before setting up the DofE in her first school and completing her own Gold Award. She then worked as a youth worker in York developing residential programmes in the outdoors during which time she completed her Masters in Youthwork, Education and Theology at Kings College, London, before moving back to Cambridge to work for Oxford Brookes University. Here she developed a degree module working with young people in the outdoors, which included delivery of the Basic Expedition Leader (BEL) Award. She is a fully qualified British Mountaineering Council (BMC) Mountain Leader, an REC Outdoor First Aider and ITC first aid trainer, as well as a British Canoe Union (BCU) Canoe, White Water and Sea Kayak Level 3 coach. She is also an accredited practitioner of the Institute of Outdoor Learning. JoyofAdventure staff are all highly qualified and experienced professionals. They all hold either national governing body qualifications for mountain or water, and they all have the 16 hour outdoor first aid qualification. All staff have current CRB checks. Overview of the Silver Award Mission Statement To inspire, guide and support young people in their self-development and to recognise their achievement. Our Guiding Principles The Duke of Edinburgh s Award is achieved through personal development programmes. All programmes are driven by the following 10 guiding principles, which are at the heart of the Award. Non-competitive Achievable by all Voluntary Personal development Person-specific Balanced 2

3 Progressive Achievement focused Demand commitment Enjoyable The benefits Participants undertaking the DofE programme develop the skills and attitudes they need to become fully rounded and confident adults - qualities that colleges, universities and employers are very interested in. In participating, individuals are learning valuable skills and helping to set the tone for a lifetime of achievement. The Award enables the development of new talents and characteristics including: Initiative Self-belief Self-confidence New friendships A sense of identity A sense of responsibility New talents and abilities The ability to plan and use time A real awareness of your strengths Leadership and team working skills Problem solving, presentation and communication skills The ability to learn from and give to others in the community The Award is a personal challenge and not a competition. When you decide to take part in the Award it is on a voluntary basis, so you and the participant must allocate the time to complete each section in your own time. Nothing in curriculum time will count. Age range Participants must be at least nearly 15 before they can start their Silver Award. If your birthday is at the end of the academic year, it is possible to start your Award earlier but the leader must agree to it. If you are already completing your Bronze Award you can register for Silver before you have completed each section but you will initially be registered on edofe as a direct entrant. 3

4 Sections of activity The Silver Award is achieved by completing a personal programme of activities. There are four sections: 1. Volunteering 2. Physical 3. Skills 4. Expedition Each participant creates his/her own personal programme. One activity for each section is chosen. It is up to the individual whether they choose to do something that they are already keen on, something they have been doing for their Bronze Award or choose to do something different, perhaps setting themselves the challenge of doing something completely new. Many people at Silver Award level choose to do something which they might be thinking about as a future career or to find out if it is something that they might wish to pursue beyond the DofE. Volunteering Physical Skills Expedition 6 months One section for 6 months and the other section for 3 months Plus all participants must undertake a further 3 months in either volunteering, physical or skill Plan and train for a 3 day/2 night expedition Direct entrants (ie no Bronze Award) must undertake a further 6 months in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections. The Award aims to encourage commitment and dependability, so it is expected that each person spend 1 hour each week on the section. Some people choose to spend only 30 minutes and so double the amount of time spent. It is also possible to spend 2 hours a fortnight on your section but no hours above this can be included. 1 Volunteering This is your chance to make a real difference by helping someone, your community, the environment or an organisation. You will need to find someone to be your assessor, to sign your weekly attendance card and write a short report on your volunteering at the end. This person cannot be a family member. This year there is an opportunity for students to take part in the official DofE mentoring programme. This gives you a chance to help those undertaking the Bronze Award in the school. If you choose to do this you would be given training by DofE staff and then allocated a Bronze group who you would help with their edofe and expedition planning. At the end you would also gain a DofE mentoring certificate. 4

5 Please indicate on the registration form if you are interested in this. The initial training will be on Tuesday 9 th July from 4-6pm at Coleridge. There is further information on the DofE web page 2. Physical This is your chance to choose any sport, dance or fitness activity to get fitter, to keep fit and get better at it. You could play in a team for the school, learn to dance or canoe, join an aerobics class or swimming club or take up something a little more unusual like octopushing or free running - it is up to you - but choose something which you enjoy! You will need to find someone to be your assessor, to sign your weekly attendance card and write a short report on your physical section at the end. This person cannot be a family member. There is further information on the DofE web page 3. Skill The skill section is your chance to develop your creative side. It is your chance to do something you may always have wanted to do or get better at something you are already doing. You could learn to play a musical instrument, learn to paint, or develop your coaching skills. Many people gain a qualification while doing this section which could include your First Aid certificate, BCU Canoe Coaching Award, life guarding qualification or Mankato training. The sky really is the limit as to what you could do. You could even continue developing what you have been doing for your Bronze Award by setting new goals. There is further information on the DofE web page Time scales for the DofE Silver Award Participants will spend six months on their Volunteering section. For Physical and Skills they must spend a minimum of 6 months on either Physical or Skills and three months on the other the participant themself decides which way round he/she does it. The expedition will be for 3 days and 2 nights It will take the participant at least 6 months to complete Silver if they have already achieved their Bronze. If they have not done their Bronze Award it will take 12 months. 5

6 Section Assessors The role of your section assessor is to help you set your goal for each section and help you to achieve that goal. Your assessor will sign the weekly attendance chart and will also write a short report at the end which you will need to upload to the edofe and then submit to your allocated leader for approval. It is only when you have completed and submitted each section that you gain your award. Evidence For each section you will need to collect evidence that you have been doing the activity. You can record your DofE activities in multiple formats - from photos and videos to blogs and pdfs. The person responsible for each section will need to write a report and this can be ed to you, phoned in directly or uploaded in to your personal edofe page. All of this can then be collated in an A4 booklet which DofE will produce for you - so the more photos you upload the better. edofe DofE is now completed electronically. Once you are enrolled for edofe you will be given a user name and password which will enable you to log in to and create your own edofe page. It is up to you to add the evidence and to submit it to your leader for approval at Expedition This is your chance to train, plan and complete an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad. You can undertake your journey on foot, by bicycle or on water. Parkside Federation will provide you with the training you will need for your expedition. At Silver level the expedition is 3 days with 2 overnight camps. You have to be selfsufficient on the journey and take everything with you for 3 days. The mode of travel must be made under your own steam. It is really important that your expedition has a clear aim, which could be to explore the team dynamics of the group or develop a promotional video for the Award. At the end of the expedition you will then do a presentation of what you have discovered or achieved. The expedition is a self-sufficient journey where participants walk, cycle or paddle as a group and do not have a staff member with them. Therefore it is essential they are properly trained to be able to complete this section successfully. The training must cover:- First Aid Team work Navigation Camp craft Countryside Code Observation and navigation skills 6

7 There is a list of training dates at the back of this booklet. It is essential that you attend ALL the training sessions as it is vital that participants are prepared for their expedition and for the safe undertaking of an adventurous journey amongst a group of peers, without direct adult supervision. If you do not attend ALL sessions you may not be able to take part in this year s expeditions. Expedition Options Expeditions generally can be completed by foot, canoe, bicycle or sail, but it must be achieved entirely through your own effort. This year in conjunction with JoyofAdventure, students will have the opportunity to complete their expedition either by foot or open boat canoe. There are only a limited number of places for both the walking and canoe expeditions and it is essential that you can attend all the training dates noted in the back of this book, for the reason detailed above. Expedition training for walking expeditions This will be run in a block at the end of September 2013 at Ickwell Green, near Bedford. Training will include: 1. Navigation training We cover the National Navigation scheme Silver syllabus. If students would like to be assessed and gain their Silver Award they will need to indicate this on the booking form and pay the relevant additional fee. All students will obtain navigation training in Bedfordshire to equip them for their expeditions which will take place in Yorkshire. 2. First Aid training We will cover the ITC 8-hour outdoor first aid syllabus so that pupils are equipped and prepared for any incidents while on expedition alone. If students would like to be assessed and gain their Silver Award they need to indicate on the booking form and pay the relevant additional fee. Transport Students are responsible for their own transport. The X5 bus travels from Cambridge to Great Barford (near Ickwell) and a return ticket costs 8:50. Students are responsible for booking and paying for their own transport. 7

8 Walking Expedition Practice expedition (Yorkshire): 4pm Thursday March 13 th - Sunday March 16 th 2014 Assessed expedition (North Pennines): 4pm Thurs 10 th to Sun 13 th April 2014 (or after exams) The practice and qualifying expedition will take place in Yorkshire and/or the North Pennines. In both cases students will need to arrange transport to Darlington Train Station and will either be collected by mini bus from there or walk to their first campsite from the station. Current return prices by train from Cambridge to Darlington start at 18. The earlier the ticket is booked, the cheaper the cost. Equipment and Maps Each group is responsible for their own equipment. Some equipment may be borrowed from school and each group will be issued with the appropriate maps, for which there is a 10 returnable deposit. Breakdown of costs for Silver walking expedition The costs to undertake remote supervision work in 'wild country' are relatively high. However, as a grassroots local organisation, we are in a position to keep running costs as low as possible. There is a high professional staffing level. The programmes described below work out at less for 40 per person per day for walking expeditions. The costs include: Training: Practice Expedition: Assessed Expedition: 3 days and 2 nights of training at Ickwell Green followed by 2 after school sessions for route planning and kit check (food not included). Professional navigation and first aid training. 4 days and 3 nights walking and camping in Yorkshire Dales (food, camping, transport costs and fees not included). DofE and Mountain leader staff in direct supervision. 4 days and 3 nights walking and camping in the North Pennines (food, camping, transport costs and fees not included). DofE assessors and Mountain leader staff in direct and remote supervision. 8

9 Breakdown of costs for Silver walking expeditions Silver DofE enrolment 14 Cambridge Operating authority fee 5 Administration and edofe 20 Walking expedition training, practice and assessed expedition 410 Map deposit 10 TOTAL 459 (paid in 4 instalments) Optional costs 8-hour outdoor First Aid Assessment and certificate National Navigation Silver Award assessment and certificate Payment terms: Payment Amount Deadline (on or before) Deposit 75 Monday 10 th June, 4pm 2 nd instalment 128 Monday 15 th July 3 rd instalment 128 Tuesday 3 rd September Final instalment 128 Monday 10 th February 2014 Expedition training for canoe expeditions Training will take place as a canoe camp from Friday September 6 th to Sunday September 8 th 2013 and will be based near Lode Fen on the Ouse, north east of Cambridge. 9

10 Training will include: Canoe paddle and rescue skills Cooking and campcraft skills First aid training Countryside code Team work and communications As part of the training, students will be able to gain their BCU 1 and 2 star Awards. If students would like to be assessed and gain their Awards, they will need to indicate on the booking form and pay the relevant additional fee. First Aid training We will cover the 8 hour ITC outdoor first aid syllabus so that pupils are equipped and prepared for any incidents while on expedition. If students would like to be assessed and gain their First Aid certificate they will need to indicate on the booking form and pay the relevant additional fee. Transport Students are responsible for organising and paying for their own transport. Training will be on the lake at the bottom of Lode Fen north east of Cambridge. Equipment and maps The cost of the expedition includes boats, buoyancy aids, paddles and dry bags, but students will need to bring all their own clothing. It is not anticipated that wet suits will be needed (but it cannot be guaranteed.) There is a 10 per person deposit for maps and permanent marker pens which will be returned at the end if both are returned in the same condition as they were lent. Canoe Expedition dates Practice expedition (Lode): Friday 21 st to Sunday 23 rd March 2014 Assessed expedition (Bedfordshire): Friday 7 th -Sunday 9 th April 2014 (or after exams) The expedition will take place on the rivers Ouse, Cam, Lark or Little Ouse starting at either Bedford or Thetford. Students will be responsible for both getting themselves to and from the start and end locations, but will be given advice on the most suitable mode of transport. The programmes described below work out at less for 60 per person per day for canoeing. Price includes hire of canoes, paddles, buoyancy aids and dry bags. 10

11 Training: Practice Expedition: Assessed Expedition: 2 days and 2 nights of canoe skills training at Lode fen followed by 1 after school session for route planning and kit check (food not included). Qualified BCU instructors and first aid trainers. 3 days and 3 nights canoeing and camping on the Ouse (food, camping, and transport and fees not included). DofE and BCU staff in direct supervision. 3 days and 3 nights canoeing and camping on the Little Ouse/Cam or Lark (food, camping, transport and fees not included). DofE assessors and BCU staff in direct and remote supervision. Breakdown of costs for Silver Canoe expeditions Silver DofE enrolment 14 Cambridge Operating authority fee 5 Administration and edofe 20 Canoe expedition training, practice and assessed expedition 540 Map deposit 10 TOTAL 589 (in 4 instalments) Optional costs 8 hour outdoor First aid Assessment and certificate BCU 1 and 2 star certificates Payment terms: Payment Amount Deadline (on or before) Deposit 75 Monday 10 th June, 4pm 2 nd instalment 170 Monday 15 th July 3 rd instalment 170 Tuesday 3 rd September Final instalment 174 Monday 10 th February

12 Contact Joy Martin can be contacted at: What happens next? If you would like to do your Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award you need to: 1) Check that you can attend all the training and expedition dates. 2) Return the completed enrolment and payment form to the School Office by 4pm on Monday June 10 th with your deposit payment of 75 (cheques payable to Joy Martin) with your child s name and tutor group written clearly on the back of the cheque. 3) You will then receive an confirming whether you have a place on the Silver Award together with an invoice for the second payment. This will include a medical form, consent form and DofE clothing request form. If you feel you qualify for financial assistance please enquiries@parksidefederation.org.uk or telephone (01223) for further information. 12

13 IMPORTANT DATES Enrolment forms and payment returned deadline Mon 10 th June, 4pm Parkside or Coleridge office Notification of a place Mon 17 th June By on the award Enrolment meeting Thurs 4 th July Coleridge Mentoring meeting Tues 9 th July Coleridge 2 nd payment deadline Consent forms for canoe returned and 3 rd payment deadline Canoe training weekend Walking expedition training weekend Monday 15 th July, 4pm Tues 3 rd Sept Medical form, consent forms and DofE clothing order forms handed in Fri 6th to Sun Lode, Cambridgeshire 8 th September Fri 27 th Sept to Ickwell, Bedfordshire Sun 29 th Sept th payment Monday 10 th Feb deadline Walking kit check Tues 11 th March Coleridge Practice walking Thurs 13 th to Yorkshire expeditions Sun 16 th March Canoe Kit check Tuesday 18 th Coleridge March Practice Canoe Friday 21 st to Cambridgeshire expeditions Sunday 23 rd Assessed walking expeditions Assessed canoeing expeditions Presentations March Thurs 10 th to Sun 13 th April or after exams April 7 th to 9 th or after exams tbc Yorkshire/North Pennines Bedfordshire 13

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15 Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award Enrolment Form First Name. Last Name. Address.... Postcode. Tel Age.. Date of Birth /.../.. male female Mobile Parent/Guardian name I choose the following option for my expedition Walk Canoe I would like to become a DofE Mentor for the Bronze participants Yes No I would like to enrol for the Silver Award and enclose the deposit of 75 Deposit of 75 (Welcome Pack 14, Operating Authority Fee 5, first expedition payment of 56). I acknowledge that if I pull out at any stage, I am still committed to paying the full amount as outlined on the registration form. I agree to enrol as a participant on a DofE programme. I understand that I will be managing my programme using the online edofe system. I acknowledge that this system has a set of terms and conditions that I agree to. These terms and conditions are available at Student Signature address Date../../.. Consent of Parent/Guardian - to be completed for a participant under 18 years of age. I give consent for my child to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and confirm that I have read A Useful Guide for Parents, Guardians and Carers leaflet. I fully understand the nature of the activities that my child/ward will be taking part in which will involve expeditions and camping. I understand that qualifying expeditions are remotely supervised and that there will not be a leader with my child at all times during this expedition. I understand that my child will have had sufficient training to enable them to undertake this expedition safely, and I understand the importa nce of them attending all of the training sessions and practices. I note that it is my responsibility to check that any activity my son / daughter undertakes for their DofE programme is appropriately managed and insured, unless the activity is directly managed or organised by their DofE group, centre or Licensed Organisation. I note that if my child cannot attend the training sessions they will not be able to go on the expedition this year, and if they cannot make the expeditions organised this year there is no financial rebate. Signature.. Status Date../../.. Note: Data supplied on this form and in edofe and information about DofE activities recorded in edofe will be used by the DofE Charity, Cambridgeshire County Council and the DofE centre to monitor and manage DofE participation and progress by young people and manage and support Leaders. 15