For my DofE, it was a great. It was a nice experience to have some independence and learn some valuable survival skills in the wild. I often forgot that we wouldn’t even have this exhibition if it wasn’t for HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. To me it was just “the name”. It’s remarkable that he did something to help the lives of others, in physical ways and emotional and social ways. The other schools that participated in the DofE helped with our social skills as we helped them when they were lost and we spoke to them at the camp.

Looking at the history of this program it amazes me how it started as an all boys program which later welcomed girls. And i’m glad they did. Though the DofE experience was challenging, it was so worth it. I love my camping anyway but it was so much more than that. The walking even if it had us all moaning along the way, it made the team bond- telling stories, jokes, secrets, the gossip etc. The actual task of cooking substantial amount of food/drinks on a little tiny gas cooker which none of us had ever seen before never mind used before. It challenged us to a great deal but it’s gave me, my team and probably millions of others memories and skills that we will hold on to and cherish for the rest of our lives. And we owe all of that to the Duke of Edinburgh himself for believing in us and for giving us all a chance to experience something we will never experience again. To the Royal Highness himself, Thank you! May you Rest In Peace