DofE led to many new experiences before starting my bronze award I had never even been camping before but completing the award process brought amazing experiences that I will never forget. I developed new skills, the award scheme gave the opportunity to support my local community through volunteering and also gave the opportunity to make life long friends through my bronze, silver and gold expeditions and for my residential volunteering at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand. This experience also helped to decide what degree I wanted to do through the experiences that had been part of my DofE experience and the skills I have developed from the award scheme I have been able to use constantly in my everyday life.