Duke of Edinburgh Award
Bedfordshire’s Open Award Centre
Looking to start your Duke of Edinburgh Award in Bedfordshire? Edusports is proud to be the county’s official Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) Open Award Centre, licensed to deliver all levels of the DofE Award Scheme.
Whether you’re beginning your Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, moving up to Silver, or taking on the challenge of Gold, our team provides the training, support, and opportunities you need to succeed.
What is the Duke of Edinburgh Award?
If you’ve ever wondered “what is the Duke of Edinburgh Award?”, it’s a world renowned youth development programme for young people aged 14–25. The award is built around personal challenge, resilience, teamwork, and achievement.
The award has three progressive levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. At each stage, participants complete a set of activities across different sections, building essential life skills and unforgettable experiences along the way.
The Three Levels of the Award
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award Requirements:
Open to anyone in Year 9 or above.
You’ll complete four sections: Volunteering, Skills, Physical, Expedition.
Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award
Open to those in Year 10 or above.
You’ll complete the same four sections, but with longer time commitments.
Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award
Open to participants aged 16+.
Includes the four main sections plus an additional challenge: the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Residential.
All awards must be completed by your 25th birthday.
Duke of Edinburgh Award Activities
The award is split into different activity sections, each designed to develop new skills and personal qualities.
Volunteering for Duke of Edinburgh Award – give your time to help your community or support a cause you care about.
Duke of Edinburgh Award Skills – develop a new hobby or talent, from music and coding to cookery and photography.
Physical – take on a sport or physical activity to boost your health and wellbeing.
Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition – plan and complete an adventurous journey with your team.
Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Residential (Gold only) – spend 5 days and 4 nights on a shared residential experience with people you’ve never met before.
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award Requirements
Age: Year 9 or above.
Sections: Volunteering, Skills, Physical, Expedition.
Timescales: Each section must be completed for a set duration (minimum 3–6 months).
This level is a great introduction to the DofE Award Scheme, helping you gain confidence and teamwork skills.
Duke of Edinburgh Award Silver Requirements
Age: Year 10 or above.
Sections: Volunteering, Skills, Physical, Expedition.
Timescales: Each section is slightly longer than Bronze, encouraging more commitment and personal growth.
The Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award is ideal if you’ve already completed Bronze, but you can also start at Silver if you’re old enough.
Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Requirements
Age: 16 years and above.
Sections: Volunteering, Skills, Physical, Expedition, and the Residential.
Duke of Edinburgh Award Gold Expedition: A challenging multi-day journey with your team, travelling self-sufficiently. Spend 5 days taking part in an activity away from home, building friendships and confidence.
The Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award is the highest level and a significant personal achievement recognised by employers, colleges, and universities.
Expeditions with Edusports
The Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions are one of the most exciting and memorable parts of the programme. With Edusports, you’ll choose your method of travel and help design your route. Options include:
Walking
Mountain biking / cycling
Sailing
Paddlesport
Every Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition includes training, a practice journey, and a qualifying expedition. At Gold level, the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition is even more demanding, but hugely rewarding.
Why Choose Edusports?
By joining Edusports, you’ll benefit from:
An official Open Award Centre in Bedfordshire.
Support through every stage of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
Flexible online group meetings once per half-term.
Choice of expedition methods to suit your interests.
Expert guidance on meeting the requirements for Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
Costs and Registration
Registration Fee: £90 per person.
Includes the official DofE registration fee (£30.50 Bronze/Silver, £37.50 Gold).
The remainder covers our licence and administration support.
Expedition Costs: Depend on your team’s chosen travel method and location. We’ll always keep costs as affordable as possible.
Start Your DofE Journey Today
Are you ready to begin your Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, step up to Silver, or challenge yourself with Gold?
Contact Edusports today to register your place and start your DofE journey.
Your adventure, skills, and achievements are waiting, take the first step now!