Responsible Officer
Need to be completed
Objective
Conceived by his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh in 1956, and started in Canada in 1963, the program aims to help young persons develop strength of character, leadership and personal discipline through four sectors of activity: community service, sports activities, skills, and expedition. The awards purpose is similar to the aims of the Air Cadet Program.
Description
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award program regroups active people, aged from 14 to 25, in more than 114 countries. It is considered a very prestigious award in recognition of their individual efforts and their performance.
Like Air cadets, the Award Program is voluntary and each individual is assessed on effort, improvement and challenge, making the Award attainable by all.
The program allows you to work at your own pace, accumulate certain number of hours per week in different categories. Many of the hours required in the program are already being done by most of you just by being in the Air Cadets. For example, if you are on the Drill Team, you can use Drill Team practices as a physical activity. If you teach on training nights, you meet the community service requirements. For Ontario students who require 40 hrs of community service to graduate, those hours can be put towards the award as well. If you take music lessons, horseback riding lessons, or whatever your interest may be outside of cadets, it can all be used toward the requirements of this program.
Remarks
The squadron facilitates but does not finance the program.
There is a $50.00 initial registration fee and a $50.00 fee for every level after.
To apply to the program and for a registration form or for more information, please contact
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Ontario.
Schedule
Self-paced with planned group activities.
Meetings are held when required.
Requirements
Any cadet, from any level, may register for the program.
The minimum age is 14.
Qualification Awarded
Three award level Duke of Edinburgh pins are available. Only the highest-level award attained is worn on the front right pocket of the uniform tunic.
|
|
Bronze |
 |
Silver |
 |
Gold |
Cadets are provided an opportunity to increase their self-confidence, their ability to reason, and their ability to organize and express ideas. Cadets can participate in this annual program at the local level in their squadron and compete at a regional, provincial, and national level. The participating cadets prepare a 5-minute speech from a list of topics approved by the National Effective Speaking Committee and are asked to deliver a 3-minute impromptu speech while at the competition. The winning cadet is awarded a medal, a gift, and a certificate of participation.
Many activities at the Squadron qualify for the program, and registered Cadets are mentored by a trained Leader from the Parent Sponsoring Committee. Cadets can register through the Leader by completing a Registration Form and paying a one-time registration fee of $50. The Cadet then receives a Participant Record Book and sets their own goals. Upon completion of each program level, the Cadet requests the Leader to forward their Participant Record Book to the Calgary Duke of Edinburgh’s office. The Cadet is recognized with a pin and certificate.
There are three levels of the Award in which you can participate:
- BRONZE-for those over 14. The minimum period of participation to gain this Award is 6 months. Awarded at Cadets by the 604 Squadron’s Commanding Officer.
- SILVER-for those over 15. The minimum period of participation to gain this Award is 12 months; or 6 months if you have completed Bronze. Awarded by the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.
- GOLD-for those over 16. The minimum period of participation to gain this Award is 18 months; or 12 months if you have completed Silver. Awarded by a member of the Royal Family, or by the Governor General.
Cadets who maximize their participation in Squadron activities are already fulfilling many of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program requirements. With a little extra effort for record keeping, Cadets may achieve these Awards that are looked upon favorably by post-secondary educational institutions and employers alike.
To learn more about the Program, please speak with our Duke of Edinburgh Leader.
Examples of Squadron Activities that Qualify
- Community Service: all Cadet parades (Battle of Britain, Remembrance, Stampede, etc.); band concerts; BCMB bottle drives; Squadron fundraising (like cookie dough, etc.); Amazing Chase fundraiser; cemetery cleanup; etc.
- Adventurous Journey: all Squadron field training exercises (but not summer camps), First Aid training, compass work, map reading. Squadron camps do not require the long-distance hikes, etc. that are mentioned in your booklet. The requirement is 8 hours of planned activities per day.
- Skills: Model Club, Band, Precision Drill Party, Precision Rifle Party, Flag Party Any Skill you are pursuing regularly for the timeframe required in your booklet will qualify. So come on out and join one of these optional activities.
- Physical Recreation: Biathlon; Sports night (fitness, swimming; roller-blading); Southern Zone practice/competitions
- Gold Award Residential Project: Cadet Summer camps; Band trips and other Squadron trips lasting a minimum of 4 nights, and taking place as a group. The Residential Project can be completed at any time during Bronze, Silver & Gold.
Asking for a Signature in your Booklet:
- Signing your booklet must be done by someone over the age of 18 years.
- Service and Physical Recreation: When only a brief signature is required, that is easily done by an Officer, the Duke Leader, a member of the Parent Association, or your own Parent. When the activity has been long term, you would need to schedule time with your Assessor to write a sentence about your contribution and progress.
- Adventurous Journey: Always write a paragraph about your field training
experience, the role that you played at camp, what you learned, etc. and attach it to your booklet, on the corresponding page. Contact an Officer and request a convenient time to review your booklet and get their signature. The Officer will need time to read your paragraph and write their comments in your booklet. For example, the Officer might agree to meet you at break time, speak with you briefly, and then return your booklet at the end of the evening. - Skills: When you have completed the requirements for your Skill, contact the activity leader (Officer or CI) and ask them to write an assessment of your contribution and development.