The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program is about challenge. It is also about providing the opportunity to accept a challenge. The Award offers young people the opportunity to set goals in the areas of community service, skills, physical fitness and expedition/exploration. Along the way, they learn about qualities like responsibility, trust, and the ability to plan and organize themselves.

There is no competition between participants. The only people with whom they compete are themselves. Self-motivation is fundamental to the program. There are no set standards to achieve. The criterion for gaining an Award is based on the individual improvement of each participant’s starting point and potential.

There is no such thing as failure in the Award. Even if an Award is not attained, just being involved brings new friends, new knowledge and new adventures, which are above all, enjoyable.

There are three Award levels:
Bronze – minimum starting age 14
Silver – minimum starting age 15
Gold – minimum starting age 16

To qualify for an Award, a young person must first register and obtain a Record Book and then satisfy the requirements of the four sections of the Program – Service, Expedition, Skills, and Fitness.

The Award itself consists of a lapel pin or brooch, and an inscribed certificate of achievement.

More than 20,000 young Canadians are now participating in the Award program either as members of organized groups, or on an individual basis.

If you are interested in participating in the Young Canadians Challenge you must register with your Divisional Office prior to beginning any of the activities. Upon registration each participant will receive a Record Book in which they record their activities throughout the 3 levels of the program. For more information please contact the Divisional Office in Ontario:
Tel: (416) 203-2282
Fax: (416) 203-0676