Biweekly meetings (2019/20): Tuesdays 1800-1900, Room G.01, 50 George Square

Welcome to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Society page! This is a society dedicated to getting students interested through their Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Whether you need help with the sections of your award, residential ideas, or need to get through those expeditions, we are here to help! Through our society you can complete your expedition section, undertaking the planning and heading out on 2-, 3-, and 4-day expeditions in wild country with up to 6 other people. This is a great way to get to know more people and it's a rewarding experience.

Anyone can undertake DofE up until their 25th birthday and it doesn't matter if you are not already a Bronze/Silver award holder or have no idea what the award scheme is about. Our meetings are held on Tuesdays 1800-1900 in Room G.01, 50 George Square, so please stop by to find out more about DofE and get involved!

For more information, check out the Award's official website https://www.dofe.org/.

What is the DofE award?

It is an award that any person aged between 14 to 24 years old can work towards. There are 3 possible levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Our society focuses on helping students complete their Gold award. The award is achieved by completing 5 required sections: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition, and - for Gold - a Residential. You will find yourself helping people or the community, getting fitter, developing skills, going on expeditions, and taking part in a residential activity. This is what DofE is all about: developing you as a person and getting you involved in extracurricular activities to complement your academic pursuits.

Why should I do it?

It gives you skills that employers look for and it looks great on a CV, especially the Gold award. It improves your teamwork, planning, and much more. You will also make a difference to other people’s lives and your community, get fitter and healthier, make new friends, and have memories to last you a lifetime.

What does this society do?

We hold weekly meetings to provide relevant training and information before the practice and final expeditions. We prepare you for practice- and assessed-expeditions, giving you training for equipment, first aid, cooking in the outdoors, route planning, and navigation. Alongside this, we also organise the practice- and final-expeditions and have socials throughout the academic year which are always a lot of fun.

What can I do now that I've completed my Gold award?

DofE programmes are run by Leaders, many of whom are volunteers. People who get a buzz from helping people achieve. Individuals who, in many cases, achieved Awards themselves – people like you! You may have even experienced this by doing DofE leadership for your Gold volunteering activity. You could become a supervisor or an assessor for groups around Edinburgh. For more information, speak to the committee and find out more information at https://www.fota.org.uk/volunteer/.

Previous Expeditions

Isle of Arran (2018)

Cairngorms and Arrochar (2017)