INDEPENDANT PARTICIPANTS - DofE in Suffolk

INDEPENDANT
PARTICIPANTS
Information & Enrolment
INTRODUCTION

INDEPENDANT PARTICIPANTS for Suffolk
INTRODUCTION
INTRO
duction
Usually participants enrol on to the
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme
via a DofE Centre either based at a
school, college, youth group or
voluntary organisation. Being
independent means that you are not
linked to a DofE Centre. You progress
will be monitored by the County DofE
Manager, who will provide relevant
information and helpful hints & tips.
The only section that you will join
other DofE participants for is the
expedition, read more about how to get
involved in the expedition section.

INDEPENDANT PARTICIPANTS for Suffolk
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
HOW DO I
get started?
It’s easy to get stared, once you have
completed an enrolment form you
will be sent a Welcome Pack and
eDofE log on.
Begin thinking about what you want
to do for each section, further advice
is set out in this booklet or you can go
to www.dofe.org
HOW OLD MUST I
BE TO ENROL?
• To enrol at Bronze you must have reached
your 14th Birthday.
• To enrol at Silver you must have reached
your 15th Birthday.
• To enrol at Gold you must have reached
your 16th Birthday.
You can take up to you 25th Birthday to
complete any of the Award levels.
COSTS
The following costs relate to the standard *
DofE enrolment:
Bronze - £19
Silver - £19
Gold - £25
* correct as of April 2012
To enrol please complete the attached form
and return it to the following address along
with your payment:
Duke of Edinburgh's Award Manager
County Youth Support Team
Suffolk County Council B1 - F3 - 38
Endeavour House
Russell Road
Ipswich
Suffolk IP1 2BX
01473 260178
suffolk.dofe@suffolk.gcsx.gov.uk
Cheques/ Postal orders should be made
payable to: Suffolk County Council
Sorry we are unable to accept cash or
debit/credit card payments

INDEPENDANT PARTICIPANTS for Suffolk
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
I AM A DIRECT
ENTRANT – WHAT
DOES THIS MEAN?
Being a direct entrant means that you have not
completed the previous level. For example you are
a direct entrant if you enrol as a silver participant
but have not completed the bronze Award.
You will need to complete an additional 6 months
as either a direct silver or direct gold participant.
WHAT ARE AWARD
SECTIONS?
Bronze & Silver are made up of 4 sections,
volunteering, physical, skill and an expedition. You
will be expected to undertake the first 3 sections
on your own which means you need to be
organised, disciplined and resourceful.
When you come to undertake your expedition you
can use an Approved Activity Provider or AAP. A
list of AAP’s can be found on www.dofe.org you
can use any of the Activity Providers listed.
** This list is of independant providers. Suffolk
County Council can not offer any preferences.
Choosing an AAP is up to you.
Gold is made up of 5 sections, volunteering,
physical, skill, residential and an expedition.
You will be expected to undertake the first 4
sections on your own which means you need to
be organised, disciplined and resourceful.
When you come to undertake your expedition
you can use an Approved Activity Provider or AAP.
A list of AAP’s can be found on www.dofe.org you
can use any of the Activity Providers listed.
WHAT IS EDOFE?
edofe is an online site which enables you to post
evidence to show that you have completed your
Award. It takes the place of record books with all
your information being processed via your edofe
log on.
Once you have enrolled you will be sent a Welcome
pack and edofe username and password along with
instructions on how to log on and begin.
WHO WILL SIGN OFF
MY SECTIONS?
The County DofE Manager is linked to your edofe
page and will sign off all your sections at Bronze,
Silver or Gold. You only have to request approval.
WHAT EVIDENCE
CAN I COLLECT TO
PUT ONTO EDOFE?
A leaflet or information sheet about the
sports / fitness / dance course you're attending
• A completed activity log **
• Assessor's report - they can write this for you in
your Keeping Track booklet. They could even
write you a letter or report via
www.dofe.oeg/assessor
• A certificate of achievement or attendance
• A course syllabus
• A leaflet or information sheet about the course
you're attending
• Thank you letters from people you've helped
• Photographs of you doing your activity
• A brochure about the place you're volunteering in
• A fixtures list
• A brochure about the sports centre
• A leaflet or information sheet about the project
you're working on
** ask the County DofE Manager for copies of
activity logs.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I
NEED SOME HELP?
Most questions are answered on the DofE website
www.suffolkdofe.co.uk
If you need further help you can contact the
County DofE office on 01473 260178.

INDEPENDANT PARTICIPANTS | booklet & form
HOW LONG SHOULD IT TAKE ME TO COMPLETE THE DOFE AWARD?
HOW LONG
SHOULD IT TAKE
ME TO COMPLETE
THE DofE AWARD?
BRONZE SILVER GOLD
6
6 - 12
12 - 18
months
months
months
You must do one of
your Volunteering,
Physical or Skills
sections for 6
months, the others
for 3 months.
If you haven't achieved
your Bronze Award, you
must extend either your
Volunteering, Physical
or Skills sections to
12 months.
If you haven't achieved
your Silver Award, you must
extend either your Volunteering,
Physical or Skills sections
to 18 months.

INDEPENDANT PARTICIPANTS for Suffolk
AWARD Section | VOLUNTEERING
AWARD Sections
VOL
UNT
EER
ING
WHAT TO DO
IN FOUR
SIMPLE STEPS:
1.
Preparation – You need to research
what you want to do. You must find a
suitable Assessor and set yourself goals
so that you can show how you
progressed. Use the electronic
programme planner in eDofE or
download a paper programme
planner from www.dofe.org
Volunteering is all about making a
difference to other people's lives. Getting
off your sofa and taking time out to change
things for the better can be great fun.
From conservation to youth work to
fundraising for your favorite charity or
caring for animals, there's an endless list
of the types of projects you can get
involved in. Go to www.dofe.org for
volunteering ideas.
2.
3.
Training – Some activities you choose
require you to take a course, simple
introduction or training before starting.
For the Volunteering section the training
must not be more than a quarter of
your time spent – you have to do
something practical!
Activity – the most important and
enjoyable bit – actually doing it! You
must do each activity for an average of
an hour a week for at least the minimum
time required at your level.
4.
Assessment – To complete your DofE
programme you must meet your
Assessor to talk about what you’ve done
and make sure they sign off your award
section. They can do this online at
www.dofe.oeg/assessor

AWARD Section | VOLUNTEERING
VOLUNTEERING Ideas
COACHING,
TEACHING &
LEADERSHIP:
• Dance leadership
• DofE Leadership
• Group leadership
• Sports leadership
• Music tuition
• Leading a voluntary organisation group:
- Girls’ Venture Corps
- Sea Cadets
- Air Cadets
- Jewish Lads’ and Girls’ Brigade
- St John Ambulance
- Scout Association
- Air Training Corps
- Army Cadet Force
- Boys’ Brigade
- CCF
- Church Lads’ & Girls’ Brigade
- Girlguiding UK
- Girls’ Brigade
HELPING A
CHARITY OR
COMMUNITY
ORGANISATION:
• Administration
• Being a charity intern
• Being a volunteer lifeguard
• Event management
• Fundraising
• Mountain rescue
• Religious education
• Serving a faith community
• Supporting a charity
• Working in a charity shop
COMMUNITY
ACTION &
RAISING
AWARENESS:
• Campaigning
• Cyber safety
• Council representation
• Drug & alcohol education
• Home accident prevention
• Peer education
• Personal safety
• Promotion & PR
• Road safety
WORKING
WITH THE
ENVIRONMENT
OR ANIMALS:
• Animal welfare
• Environment
• Rural conservation
• Preserving waterways
• Working at an animal rescue centre
• Litter picking
• Urban conservation
• Beach and coastline conservation
• Zoo/farm/nature reserve work
HELPING
PEOPLE:
• Helping children
• Helping older people
• Helping people in
need
• Helping people with
special needs
• Youth work
Service to others is the rent you pay for your
room here on Earth. - Muhammad Ali

AWARD Section | PHYSICAL
AWARD Sections
PH
YSI
CAL
Through the Physical section you should
achieve a greater physical fitness through
participation and improvement in physical
activity. It's sure to make you feel healthier
and you'll have fun along the way! You
don't need to be super fit or Olympic
standard to achieve this section - getting
better is enough.
From hockey to dance, rock climbing to
swimming, wheelchair basketball to yoga -
almost any dance, sport or fitness activity
can count. You can join a team or do it on
your own, concentrate on something
you're already doing or try something
completely different - it's up to you.
WHAT TO DO
IN FOUR
SIMPLE STEPS:
1.
2.
3.
Preparation – You need to research
what you want to do. You must find a
suitable Assessor and set yourself goals
so that you can show how you
progressed. Use the electronic
programme planner in eDofE or
download a paper programme
planner from www.dofe.org
Training – You will need to do any
training or briefing necessary for you to
do your physical activity. Training may
form part of your activity and count
towards your timescale.
Activity – the most important and
enjoyable bit – actually doing it! You
must do each activity for an average of
an hour a week for at least the minimum
time required at your level
4.
Assessment – To complete your DofE
programme you must meet your
Assessor to talk about what you’ve done
and make sure they sign your award
section off. They can do this online at
www.dofe.oeg/assessor

AWARD Section | PHYSICAL
PHYSICAL Ideas
INDIVIDUAL
SPORTS:
Archery
Athletics
Biathlon/Triathlon/Pentathlon
Bowling
Boxing
Croquet
Cross country running
Cycling
Fencing
Golf
Horse riding
Modern pentathlon
Orienteering
Pétanque
Roller blading
Running
Static trapeze
WATER
SPORTS:
Canoeing
Diving
Dragon Boat Racing
Free-diving
Kneeboarding
Rowing & sculling
Sailing
Skurfing
Sub aqua (SCUBA diving &
snorkelling)
Surfing/body boarding
Swimming
Synchronised swimming
Windsurfing
MARTIAL
ARTS:
Aikido
Tai Chi
Ju Jitsu
Judo
Karate
Self-defence
DANCE:
Ballet
Ballroom dancing
Belly dancing
Bhangra dancing
Ceroc
Contra dance
Country & Western
Flamenco
Folk dancing
Jazz
Line dancing
Morris dancing
Salsa (or other Latin styles)
Scottish/Welsh/Irish dancing
Street dancing
Break dancing
Hip hop
Swing
Tap dancing
FITNESS:
Aerobics
Cheerleading
Fitness classes
Gym work
Gymnastics
Medau movement
Physical achievement
Pilates
Running/jogging
Trampolining
Walking
Weightlifting
Yoga
EXTREME
SPORTS:
Caving & potholing
Climbing
Free running (parkour)
Ice skating
Mountain biking
Mountain unicycle
Parachuting
Skateboarding
Skydiving
Snow sports (skiing,
snowboarding)
Speed skating
Street luge
Including ANY RACQUET SPORTS
Including ANY TEAM SPORT

AWARD Section | SKILL
AWARD Sections
S
KI
LL
The Skills section is all about developing
practical and social skills and personal
interests. By choosing to develop a
particular skill you are not only developing
a new talent but you will also boost your
self esteem, develop practical and social
skills and learn how to set and rise to a
challenge. If this isn't enough, it should
also be good fun too!
From podcasting to playing a musical
instrument, fine art to website design,
there's an endless list of the types of skills
you can do.
WHAT TO DO
IN FOUR
SIMPLE STEPS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Preparation – You need to research
what you want to do. You must find a
suitable Assessor and set yourself goals
so that you can show how you
progressed. Use the electronic
programme planner in eDofE or
download a paper programme
planner from www.dofe.org
Training – You will need to do any
training or briefing necessary for you to
do your skills activity. The skill chosen
could be a course, in which case
training will be the full activity.
Activity – the most important and
enjoyable bit – actually doing it! You
must do each activity for an average of
an hour a week for at least the minimum
time required at your level.
Assessment – To complete your DofE
programme you must meet your
Assessor to talk about what you’ve done
and make sure they sign off your award
section. They can do this online at
www.dofe.oeg/assessor

AWARD Section | SKILL
SKILL Ideas
MUSIC
Church bell ringing
Composing
DJing
Evaluating music &
musical performances
Improvising melodies
Listening to, analysing &
describing music
Music appreciation
Playing a musical
instrument
Playing in a band
Reading & notating
music
Understanding music in
relation to history &
culture
PERFORMANCE
ARTS
Ballet appreciation
Ceremonial drill
Circus skills
Conjuring & magic
Dance appreciation
Extreme ironing
Majorettes
Puppetry
Singing
Speech & drama
Theatre appreciation
Ventriliquism
Yoyo extreme
CARE OF
ANIMALS
Agriculture (keeping
livestock)
Aquarium keeping
Beekeeping
Caring for reptiles
Dog training &
handling
Horse/donkey/llama/al
paca handling & care
Keeping of pets
Looking after birds
(i.e. budgies &
canaries)
Pigeon breeding &
racing
GAMES &
SPORTS
Cards (i.e. bridge)
Chess
Clay target shooting
Cycle maintenance
Darts
Dominoes
Fishing/fly fishing
Flying
Gliding
Go-karting
Historical period re-enacting
Kite construction & flying
Mah Jongg
Marksmanship
Model construction & racing
MEDIA &
COMMUNI-
CATION
Amateur radio
Communicating with
people who are visually
impaired
Communicating with
people who have a hearing
impediment
Film & video making
Journalism
Newsletter & magazine
production
Signalling
Writing
NATURAL
WORLD
Agriculture
Conservation
Forestry
Gardening
Groundsmanship
Growing carnivorous
plants
Motor sports
Power boating
Snooker, pool & billiards
Sports appreciation
Sports leadership
Sports officiating
Table games
War games
CREATIVE ARTS LEARNING & COLLECTING LIFE SKILLS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

AWARD Section | EXPEDITION
AWARD Sections
EXP
EDI
TION
Achieving your Award is an adventure
from beginning to end and this section
can give you some of your most
memorable experiences!
From sailing along the Norfolk Broads to
walking in Canada or horse riding in
Suffolk, it can be as far-flung or as close to
home as you want it to be. You can also
choose how you want to travel – it doesn’t
just have to be on foot! You could choose
to do your expedition by bike, by canoe,
by kayak, by wheelchair, by sailing boat or
even on a horse.
There’ll need to be between four and
seven of you in an expedition team (eight if
you’ve chosen to travel by tandem canoe
or bike). As a team, you’ll plan an aim for
your expedition, decide on your location
and training to make sure you’re fully
prepared and know what you’re doing!
Once you’ve done the preparation the fun
starts when you go out and do a practice
and a qualifying expedition. Once you’ve
completed your final expedition you’ll give
a presentation about your experiences and
your achievements to your Supervisor,
Assessor or another adult.
WHAT TO DO
IN FIVE
SIMPLE STEPS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Preparation – You will need to plan your
expedition, including team members, its
aim, how you will travel and
the environment you'll travel through.
Training – You will undertake training in
both general expedition skills and your
chosen mode of travel.
Practice expedition - You must do as
many practice expeditions as you need
until you are able to travel safely and
complete your qualifying expedition.
Qualifying expedition – Once you are
fully prepared, you'll do your qualifying
expedition, which will be observed by an
accredited assessor with the DofE. On
completion you'll be debriefed by your
Assessor and then prepare and give a
presentation of your expedition, which
must cover your aim(s), experiences and
outcomes.
Presentation - You can give this
presentation to your Assessor, your
Expedition Supervisor or another
nominated adult. You can give this in a
variety of ways - from a PowerPoint to a
drama sketch, an exhibition or an online
blog - it's up to you.

AWARD Section | EXPEDITION
EXPEDITION Info
TIME SCALES
Level Duration Notes
THE IMPORTANCE
OF AN AIM
You can choose anything for your aim. You might
choose to study the history of the area you are
cycling in. The environment is a popular choice
studying animals or plants. Your aim might be
making a video of your team’s experiences which
identifies individual roles or the importance of
good communication.
Whatever you choose as your aim it is important
to use the time you have each day to gather
information and evidence which you can use as
part of your presentation when you have
completed your qualifying expedition.
BRONZE
2 DAYS &
1 NIGHT
Groups should be out doing
planned activity** for a
minimum of 6 hours, of which
3 must be spent journeying
HOW FAR DO I HAVE
TO WALK EACH DAY?
There is no longer a set distance you must plan to
walk each day. Journeys are now designed around
time and not distance.
SILVER
3 DAYS &
2 NIGHTS
Groups should be out doing
planned activity** for a
minimum of 7 hours, of which
3 1/2 must be spent
journeying
How far you walk depends on how much time you
decide to journey for and how much time you
carry out planned activity towards completing
your aim.
You may decide to walk for 4 hours on your
bronze expedition and do planned activity 2 hours.
Depending on how fast your group walks (on
average its 3km per hour) will give you an
indication on how far you will walk per day.
GOLD
4 DAYS &
3 NIGHTS
Groups should be out doing
planned activity** for a
minimum of 8 hours, of which
4 must be spent journeying
4 hours x 3kmp = 12 km in distance (this is only
an example)
** Planned activity can not include overnight camping and time spent cooking

AWARD Section | EXPEDITION
EXPEDITION Info
20 CONDITIONS OF THE EXPEDITION SECTION
All expeditions must confirm to the 20 Conditions, these are set out below:-
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Your expedition must be
by your own physical
effort, without any
motorised or outside
assistance.
Your expedition must be
unaccompanied and
self-sufficient.
Your expeditions must
be supervised by an
adult who is able to
accept responsibility for
the safety of you and
your team.
Your expedition must
have an aim.
You must be properly
equipped for your
expedition.
You must have completed
the required training and
practice expeditions.
You must undertake at
least one practice
expedition at each level of
the programme. You
should do this in the same
mode of travel and in a
similar environment to the
qualifying expedition.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
You and your team must
plan and organise
your expedition.
You must be
assessed by an
approved accredited
Assessor to the DofE.
There must be
between four and
seven people in your
team (eight people
may be in a team for
modes of travel which
are tandem).
You must be within
the qualifying age of
the DofE program
level.
All the people in
your team must be
at the same level of
assessment.
Your team must not
include anyone who
has completed the
same or higher level
DofE expedition.
Your overnight
accommodation
should be camping.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Your expedition
must be the
minimum number of
days required for
your DofE level.
Your expedition
should normally
take place between
the end of March
and the end of
October.
Your expedition
should be in the
recommended
environment for
your DofE level.
Your must do the
minimum hours of
planned daily
activity for your
DofE level.
You should cook
and eat a
substantial meal
each day.
You must create and
deliver a
presentation after
your expedition to
complete the
section.
HOW CAN I
COMPLETE MY
EXPEDITION
SECTION?
As an independent participant you will need to find
an Approved Activity Provider or AAP to join.
There is a list of AAP’s on the DofE website
www.dofe.org
You should choose an AAP based on what you
want from your expedition. Don’t forget it doesn’t
have to be about walking, you can cycle, sail,
canoe and horse ride.
You might like to go abroad to undertake your
expedition. At Gold some AAP’s offer an expedition
and residential experience at the same time.
There are a lot of ways to undertake your
expedition, please remember that there is a cost
involved with this section so remember to ask
AAP’s for prices. ** Suffolk County Council can not
offer any preferences. We have no involvement in
organising the expedition.
INSURANCE
The DofE has a Group Personal Accident insurance
policy, which provides for the payment of a certain
benefit(s) in the event of a participant or adult helper
sustaining accidental bodily injury whilst taking part
in an approved DofE activity. All holders of a current
Participation Place issued by an Operating Authority
whilst they are doing a DofE activity are covered.
The insurance does not provide cover for any
personal belongings or equipment damaged or lost
whilst doing a DofE activity. * Once enrolled you will
be covered by this insurance.
If you are using an AAP to do your expedition you
should make sure you check their insurance
policies before signing up. You might also like to
take out your own insurance particularly if you are
going abroad.

INTRODUCTION
AWARD Sections
RESID
ENTIAL
(GOLD ONLY)
To achieve your Gold Award, you need to complete an extra section
– the Residential. This involves spending 5 days and 4 nights away
from home on a shared activity with people you’ve never met before.
It’s a big, exciting and very fulfilling experience. It may be that you
want to build on a talent you’ve developed in another section, learn
something completely new on an intensive course or do something
to help others. From learning to snowboard in Scotland to helping at
a children’s camp, from working with the National Trust to helping on
an urban recycling project, or from learning French in Paris to sailing
a tall ship, there are loads of exciting possibilities to find the activity
that’s just right for you.
For your Residential section you need to undertake a shared activity
or specific course with people you don't know, in a residential
setting away from home and in an unfamiliar environment. Evenings
are often as much a part of the experience as daytime activities.
This section offers a high degree of flexibility but it must be done
with an organised group, registered charity or Approved Activity
Provider. You must join it individually and not with an existing group
of friends or as part of a school or youth group trip. You will be
staying away - anything from an activity centre or camp to a boat or
barge - but you cannot stay with friends or relatives.
THE RESIDENTIAL
ACTIVITY SHOULD
PROVIDE THE
FOLLOWING BENEFITS:-
1. Participants must stay away from home for the
duration of the residential
2. Participants cannot stay with friends or family
3. Participants must have a shared experience (there
should be a minimum of 5 other people undertaking
the same residential)
4. Participants should not know each other
5. Participants must join an organised group, registered
charity or Approved Activity Provider.
6. There must be a selection of day and evening
activities to take part in.
Your activity can be anything that provides you with an opportunity
for broadening your interests and experiences. It is ideal for trying
something new or it can be related to existing interests or activities
followed in other sections of your DofE program.

and finally ...
INDEPENDENT
IMPACT RESEARCH
In 2007, supported by Pears Foundation, we
commissioned The University of Northampton to
carry out a groundbreaking study into the value of
the DofE. The Impact Research showed that the
DofE continues to offer a successful personal
development programme for young people.
It showed that young people do their DofE to have
fun, and that support from Leaders and friends
keeps them engaged.
KEY FINDINGS:
90%
82%
62%
74%
64%
74%
71%
of young people said doing their
DofE has given them
opportunities to help others.
noted their DofE has made them
want to continue with
volunteering/voluntary activities.
feel that doing their DofE has
helped them make a positive
difference to their local community.
of young people
said they developed
self-esteem.
feel that as a result of DofE they
are better at sport or physical
activity.
of young people said it allowed
them to try activities they would
never have tried before.
of young people
identified improved
self-belief.
Three quarters of young people think their DofE
Leaders are inspirational.
WHAT
NEXT?
Please complete
the enrolment form
on the next page.

Office
use only
U serna
me: …………………………….….……..
Password:……………..……………
…….……..
e dofe I D no: …………….…………….…………
Enrolment Form
T his
enrolment
form is for Independent
First Name:
Participants only
Surname:
Date of Birth:
/ /
A g
e:
E mail
Address:
Home Address:
G ender:
Which award level do you
wish to undertake?
Which level
you
h ave
already
completed?
(you
maybe
asked to provide
e vidence of a completed
award
)
C ontact
daytime
telephone number:
Consent to enrol from parent or guardian (ifapplicantisunder18years old) PLEASE READ
I agree to my son / daughter / ward undertaking
the DofE
programme. I understand that it is my responsibility
to
check that any activity
my son / daughter / ward
undertakes for their Dof
fE is appropriately managed
and insured,
unless
the
activity
is
directly
managed
or
organ
ised
by
the
group, centre
or operating
authority.
PHOTOGRAPH CONSENT
As part of the work
we do with young people Suffolk
County Council occasionally
take photographs
or videos of
various activities. These
may then be displayedd
and published on our web site to promote and celebrate
the work of
y oung people. Please
tick the box if you do not
want photographs of your
child displayed and published.
P rint
Name
S ign
ature
D ate
Parent/guardian:
/
/
Rel ationship
to participant:
Payment must be by cheque payable to Suffolk County Council