Jaime Breitnauer
I got involved in D of E through school when I was 14, and I completed my gold when I was 23. I also volunteered with D of E in my 20s.
When people think of D of E they think of the outdoor adventure, and this was a really important part of the award for me - something that has triggered a lifelong love affair with walking the outdoors. But if I am honest, there is no skill learned on D of E that has gone unused over the last 28 years.
From basic mechanics to orienteering, from community engagement and volunteering to sailing and video editing, from self-resilience to understanding the needs of your team, I have consistently used every single piece of knowledge the D of E award gave me.
I think the positive impact D of E has on self-esteem and the mental health of young people also cannot be underestimated. D of E gave me the chance to be independent and self-managing at a time when I was struggling to believe in my own capabilities. That knowledge served me well at University, in my career and as a parent of a child with autism.
My children love the great outdoors and cannot wait to be able to get involved with the award themselves. I've attached a picture of my older son, now 12, on his first walking expedition age 18 months with me and my husband in the Lake District. He didn't do much walking, but he had a smile on his face for the whole day. Today he and his brother love being close to nature, have excellent outdoor skills and will happily walk for hours on end. When it all gets too much, when we are struggling with the demands of day-to-day life, we are relieved to be able to just disappear off into the countryside.
The D of E award gave me the self-awareness to know what I need emotionally, and the confidence to go ahead and gift that to myself. I'm glad to have been able to pass that knowledge on to my kids and I really hope many more generations benefit from this award.
When people think of D of E they think of the outdoor adventure, and this was a really important part of the award for me - something that has triggered a lifelong love affair with walking the outdoors. But if I am honest, there is no skill learned on D of E that has gone unused over the last 28 years.
From basic mechanics to orienteering, from community engagement and volunteering to sailing and video editing, from self-resilience to understanding the needs of your team, I have consistently used every single piece of knowledge the D of E award gave me.
I think the positive impact D of E has on self-esteem and the mental health of young people also cannot be underestimated. D of E gave me the chance to be independent and self-managing at a time when I was struggling to believe in my own capabilities. That knowledge served me well at University, in my career and as a parent of a child with autism.
My children love the great outdoors and cannot wait to be able to get involved with the award themselves. I've attached a picture of my older son, now 12, on his first walking expedition age 18 months with me and my husband in the Lake District. He didn't do much walking, but he had a smile on his face for the whole day. Today he and his brother love being close to nature, have excellent outdoor skills and will happily walk for hours on end. When it all gets too much, when we are struggling with the demands of day-to-day life, we are relieved to be able to just disappear off into the countryside.
The D of E award gave me the self-awareness to know what I need emotionally, and the confidence to go ahead and gift that to myself. I'm glad to have been able to pass that knowledge on to my kids and I really hope many more generations benefit from this award.
