About the Award
Not all learning happens in the classroom. Young people need experiences outside the classroom to become committed, responsible and fulfilled citizens of the world. The Award is available to all 14-24 year olds and is the world’s leading youth achievement award. It equips young people for life regardless of their background, culture, physical ability, skills and interests. Doing the Award is a personal challenge and not a competition against others; it pushes young people to their personal limits and recognises their achievements.
Participants are required to complete various activities over a set period of time in order to earn the Award. Upon completion, they are awarded a certificate and badge for the Level they have completed. In South Africa, the certificates have the signatures of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip and His Excellency, President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa. The certificates are recognised globally by employers and institutions of higher learning.
Enrolment
The award is open to enrolment for all young people between the ages of 14 and 24.
Three Levels
- Bronze,
- Silver and
- Gold Levels with increasing increments of skills training with each level.
Four Sections
- Physical Recreation,
- Skills,
- Voluntary Service,
- Adventurous Journey
plus Gold Residential Project (Gold Level only)
Self-Improvement
Achieving an Award recognises individual goal setting and self-improvement through persistence and achievement.
Voluntary Service
Bronze
- At least 24 hours, spread over 3 months
Silver
- At least 48 hours, spread over 6 months
Gold
- At least 72 hours spread over 12 months
Physical Recreation
Bronze
- Select an activity and show regular effort and improvement spread over 3 months, averaging at least 1 hour per week.
Silver
- Select an activity and show regular effort and improvement spread over 6 months, averaging at least 1 hour per week.
- Examples: Horse-riding, Netball, Rock-climbing
Gold
- Select an activity and show regular effort and improvement spread over 12 months, averaging at least 1 hour per week.
- Examples: Karate, Water-skiing, Soccer
Skills
Bronze
- Select an activity & show regular effort & improvement over 3 months, averaging at least 1 hour per week.
- Examples: Debating, Photography, Chess
Silver
- Select an activity & show regular effort & improvement spread over 6 months, averaging at least 1 hour per week.
- Examples: Toastmasters, Sewing, Art
Gold
- Select an activity and show regular effort and improvement spread over 12 months, averaging at least 1 hour per week.
- Examples: Learner’s Licence, Driver’s Licence, Dramatic Arts, Musical Instruments
Adventurous Journey
Bronze
- Undertake a journey with an agreed purpose over 2 consecutive days and 1 night in a group of no fewer than 4 peer equals, supervised and assessed by an experienced adult(s).
- 6 hours of planned activities per day.
- Accommodation in tents, trail huts or similar.
Silver
- Undertake a journey with an agreed purpose over 3 consecutive days and 2 nights in a group of no fewer than 4 peer equals, supervised and assessed by an experienced adult(s).
- 7 hours of planned activities per day.
- Accommodation in tents, trail huts or similar.
Gold
- Undertake a journey with an agreed purpose over 4 consecutive days and 3 nights in a group of no fewer than 4 peer equals, supervised and assessed by an experienced adult(s).
- 8 hours of planned activities per day.
- Accommodation in tents, trail huts or similar.
Gold Residential Project
Gold
- Undertake a shared purposeful activity with people who are not your usual colleagues or friends, in an unfamiliar residential setting for at least 4 nights and 5 consecutive days.
Additional Requirements
Bronze
- A participant must do an additional 3 months in either Service, Physical Recreation or Skills.
Silver
- Non-Bronze Award holders must do an additional 6 months in either Service, Physical Recreation or Skills.
- Examples: Horse-riding, Netball, Rock-climbing
Gold
- Non-Silver Award holders must do an additional 6 months in either Service, Physical Recreation or Skills.
- Examples: Karate, Water-skiing, Soccer