Rosemary Newton
I have been a DofE leader for 27+ years!
Our open group is based on the island of Sanday in Orkney. Almost every young Sanday person aged 14+ has taken up the challenge of the DofE and many have proudly achieved all 3 levels of the award.
I always say that DofE keeps young people out of mischief and busy in a purposeful way - but in truth this is exactly what HRH the Duke of Edinburgh himself wanted, when he described the award as a 'road map for life' for young people.
I believe it has been the most important thing in my life that I have done for young people.
For every young person I have worked with, DofE has been an immense part of their teenage years. They all have stories of fun from their expeditions as well as the shared etched memories of surviving against the usually ghastly weather. Their expedition recollections of are never forgotten; the noodles they ate off the grass; getting lost; the sore feet; finding a highland cow trying to climb into their canoe; being kept awake by the birds; playing hide and seek on their uninhabited island campsite; having to carry their bikes down slippy steps onto a rocking ferry- the list goes on!
The expedition part is a real challenge and for some it pushes them way out of their comfort zone. And so it should.
But DofE is so much more than the expedition alone.
It is impossible to actually measure the difference that undertaking a DofE award can make to a young person - but I have watched young people gain in confidence, develop the skills needed to work with others, have great fun learning something new and find the resilience to persevere.
By volunteering they have discovered the satisfaction that giving your time for the benefit of others brings - be it contributing to their community, working for a charity, helping young children, supporting older people.
DofE here has involved our whole community who volunteer as adult helpers and enjoy it too!
The award scheme was inspirational. Long may it l
Our open group is based on the island of Sanday in Orkney. Almost every young Sanday person aged 14+ has taken up the challenge of the DofE and many have proudly achieved all 3 levels of the award.
I always say that DofE keeps young people out of mischief and busy in a purposeful way - but in truth this is exactly what HRH the Duke of Edinburgh himself wanted, when he described the award as a 'road map for life' for young people.
I believe it has been the most important thing in my life that I have done for young people.
For every young person I have worked with, DofE has been an immense part of their teenage years. They all have stories of fun from their expeditions as well as the shared etched memories of surviving against the usually ghastly weather. Their expedition recollections of are never forgotten; the noodles they ate off the grass; getting lost; the sore feet; finding a highland cow trying to climb into their canoe; being kept awake by the birds; playing hide and seek on their uninhabited island campsite; having to carry their bikes down slippy steps onto a rocking ferry- the list goes on!
The expedition part is a real challenge and for some it pushes them way out of their comfort zone. And so it should.
But DofE is so much more than the expedition alone.
It is impossible to actually measure the difference that undertaking a DofE award can make to a young person - but I have watched young people gain in confidence, develop the skills needed to work with others, have great fun learning something new and find the resilience to persevere.
By volunteering they have discovered the satisfaction that giving your time for the benefit of others brings - be it contributing to their community, working for a charity, helping young children, supporting older people.
DofE here has involved our whole community who volunteer as adult helpers and enjoy it too!
The award scheme was inspirational. Long may it l
