The Award is a voluntary, non competitive programme of leisure activities for those aged 14 – 25, designed to offer a personal and individual challenge.
There are three Awards to achieve: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each level is completely separate from the others. Young people can choose to join the Programme at the level which best suits them, with each successive level demanding increased commitment and determination.
Bronze
for those over 14, the minimum period of participation to gain this Award is six months;
Silver
for those over 15, the minimum period of participation to gain this Award is 12 months;
Gold
for those over 16, the minimum period of participation to gain this award is 18 months.
The Award is a programme that encourages youth to be active, to participate in new activities and pursue current interests in four different areas. It offers you the opportunity to set goals and achieve results in fun and challenging ways.
Service
Aim: to learn how to give useful service to others through:
- Community service projects
- Conservation work
- Voluntary service
- Specialized training such as lifesaving, first aid, and rescue services.
Adventurous Journey
Aim: to encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery whilst undertaking a journey in a group.
The journey must be an exploration, expedition or another adventurous journey and can be done on foot, bicycle, boat, horseback, etc. Proper training and preparation, self-reliance and the exploration of new surroundings are the key elements.
Skills
Aim: to encourage the development of personal interests and skills.
There is an almost unlimited choice of skills, including: arts and crafts, computing, vocational skills, hobbies or music.
Sustained effort and general improvement over a period of time is required, challenging improving and broadening personal interests.
Physical Recreation
Aim: to encourage improved performance and physical fitness.
Participants are required to take part in some form of organised physical recreation and show individuals progress, including team and individual sports such as ball sports, water sports, martial arts and athletics. Other physical activities include rock-climbing, dancing and yoga.
Residential Project
In addition, young people are required to undertake a residential project at Gold level. This is intended to broaden their experience through involvement with others (who are not their everyday companions) in a residential setting over a period of five consecutive days.
