One of my teacher told us, her 14 year old pupils, how she had joined the award scheme during the first year of its life. Thus she was one of the first people in the UK to gain her gold award. She said as she was as old as the scheme and had gained so much out of it she felt she should encourage all her students to work towards the awards as soon as they reached the age of 14. She set up special lunch-time talks for us, arranged speakers, borrowed camping equipment and worked with other members of staff to set us on our way. I gained the bronze, silver and gold awards and remember how proud my father was when he attended the presentation at Buckingham Palace in 1974. As an adult, in the 1980s I helped my own students work through the scheme and spent some time as an assessor.

My memories of the award programme are of fellowship, friendship and freedom. The expeditions were great adventures, where teenagers could work together and explore the countryside with others without over-protective adults seeing danger around every corner. The camping, walking, map-reading and mountain climbing activities were challenging and it always seemed to rain on the final test weekends but what joy we felt when we completed the tasks and impressed the assessors. However the award scheme wasn't all about the great outdoors. The interest/skills sections gave young people permission and time to explore and develop projects in the arts or learn a new craft and the service section encouraged teenagers to think of others and make practical contributions to society.

I met His Royal Highness twice and wish I had found the courage to say," Prince Philip you created an imaginative and exciting rite of passage to take young citizens into adulthood.

What a legacy this is----- I hope your award scheme continues to grow from strength to strength and I thank you for your vision and inspiration. "