![](https://www.dofe.org/memories/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/7AB7750F-53A1-4D0D-9EA6-5ECBAD8A2175.jpeg)
Kate Axford
I loved the Duke of Edinburgh award, but it wasn’t always easy and I never anticipated getting to Gold. On the bronze qualifying expedition, my group and I got lost about 500 metres from our campsite, but couldn’t for the life of us work out how to get there. We spent a lot of time crying and yelling and plotting but to no avail! Eventually our school teachers found us and created a chain of people holding torches to guide us back to camp!! Once I was home I swore I would never do silver, but after about a week I found myself missing it, and wanting to do more! I can proudly say I have completed my silver award and only have the residential section of my Gold left. DofE absolutely shaped me into the person I am today and I am so grateful that I got to experience it!!