I did all 3 awards through my school back in the 1980s. For my Gold Award I decided I had done enough of walking expeditions so learnt to canoe and canoed the River Spey in Scotland. To say it rained was an understatement! I think we got just as wet inside the canoes as we would have done had we swam! After completing my award, I became a leader and gained my Basic Expedition Award and started to train for my Mountain Leadership Award. I became a leader at a local Award Centre and from that I also became a Gold Award Guide at St James' Palace and Buckingham Palace Garden Party Awards. One of my lasting memories was being asked by Frank Bruno for a dance on the lawn of Buckingham Palace! I loved doing these awards and made some good friends through it, we had many weekends away in various mountains while in our 20s.
After a few years off for having a family, I returned as a leader again. My own children have all experienced the award as young children being dragged around the countryside waiting for bronze groups to turn up at checkpoints, but this hasn't seemed to put them off as my older 2 both have gained their Gold Awards. At my daughter's presentation, Prince Edward asked if any of the parents had gained their award so I was able to put my hand up and he spoke to me. My son is still waiting to get his award as it was cancelled last year due to the pandemic. My youngest has started his Gold at school so hopefully he will finish the award as well and I will get to return to one of the palaces for his presentation!