What is the DofE?
The DofE is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and
adventurous activities, designed to support the personal and social development of young people aged 14-25, regardless of gender, background or ability. It offers an individual challenge and encourages young people to undertake exciting, constructive, challenging and enjoyable activities in their free time.
What is involved?
The DofE has three progressive levels . . .
- Bronze (for those aged 14 and over)
- Silver (for those aged 15 and over)
- Gold (for those aged 16 and over)
. . . and is a four-sectioned programme . . .
- Volunteering (helping other people in the local community)
- Expedition (training for, planning and completing a journey on foot or horseback, by boat or cycle)
- Skills (covering almost any hobby, skill or interest)
- Physical (sport, dance and fitness)
- Residential (Gold Award only)(a purposeful enterprise with people not previously known to the participant)
You have until your 25th birthday to complete any of the Awards but it takes at least 6 months at Bronze, 12 months at Silver and 18 months at Gold for Direct Entrants.
Timescales
There should be a regular commitment averaging at least an hour a week.
When can I start?
- Bronze Award from 14 Years
- Silver Award from 15 Years
- Gold Award from 16 Years
The Key principles of the Award are:
- achievable by all - a personal challenge not a competition
- available to all - anyone can do it!
- voluntary - it's up to you what you do, it's your leisure time
- personalised - your programme is designed by you for you
- balanced - it will stretch you in all directions
- progressive - you improve at your own pace
- achievement focused - you can't fail
- demands commitment - it takes more than a short burst of enthusiasm
- personal development - it's the taking part that matters; getting an Award is the icing on the cake
- enjoyable - it's about getting out there and having fun!
A leaflet has been produced with the DofE on how the DofE programme can work with The Boys' Brigade Discover & Challenge Plus programmes - download.
Order DofE Participation Places/Welcome Packs
Order DofE Record Books / Welcome packs through your Regional Headquarters - click here to donwload the form.
How do I find out more?
Visit the DofE Website at http://www.dofe.org for further information or alternatively contact your Regional Headquarters.
Volunteer Section - Training for the Volunteering Section
All DofE Leaders should by now be aware that a participant choosing the subject of 'The Boys' Brigade' for the volunteering section must attend appropriate training as below or an equivalent course.
- Building Your Skills Course for Bronze Level
- Skills for Queen's Badge Course for Silver Level
- Youth Leader Training or KGVI Course for Level
FAQ
eDofE
eDofE is an interactive online system that helps young people manage their DofE programme and enables Leaders to monitor their progress.
Accompanying the system is a Welcome Pack for participants, which contains a Keeping Track booklet for participants to record their progress offline if required.
After the 31st March 2013 Awards MUST be completed online, visit the BB eDofE page to get started and learn more about eDofE, if you have an OLD RECORD BOOK you can still complete using the form in the Downloads section. 
Leaders and Expedition Hand Books
The DofE Expedition Guide provides comprehensive advice and guidance for DofE Leaders, Supervisors, Assessors and all adults involved in the delivery of the DofE Expedition section 
and DofE expeditions. This definitive support book is the first complete re-write since the 1996 edition and contains substantially increased chapters on supervising, assessing, sailing, open expeditions and new guidance on behaviour expectations, mobile phones and GPS/GPS tracking devices.
available at www.dofeshop.org
Other BB DofE Pages
Some files may require Adobe Acrobat Reader.
