The DofE Award experience changed my life. As a 16 year old with a sheltered upbringing (my parents didn't enjoy the great outdoors nevermind allow us to volunteer at a charity shop!), the experience of the expeditions helped shaped the person I am. Today, I am a parent of two young kids who are avid hikers and campers and we regularly talk about my experience walking with other teens in the Purbecks, the New Forest and the Brecons. Not only that, but I persevered with my chosen skill (piano playing) and volunteered to work in charity shop, an experience I still talk a out today. Huge credit to the late Duke of Edinburgh for setting this scheme up for teens like myself ( in the 90s) to take on.