As a member of the Senior Section you can work towards your Duke of Edinburgh's (D of E) Award. There are three levels of the Award – Bronze, Silver and Gold – and at each level you have to reach the requirements of four sections: Service, Physical Recreation, Skill and Expedition. In addition the Gold level requires you to take part in a Residential Project.

What's in it for you?

The whole idea is for you to choose activities that are of interest to you, although everything must be done in your own leisure time (that is, out of school, college or work hours).

As well as meeting lots of new people, making friends and trying out new activities, if you successfully complete your Gold Award you may have the opportunity to visit St James or Buckingham Palace to receive it – a chance in a lifetime!

Whichever level you decide to work towards, make sure you include it on your CV, even if you just put ‘working towards D of E Bronze level’. Most employers and universities will know about the Award and if they don't know about it, it's a good talking point.

Guiding and the Award

If you are already a member of Girlguiding UK you are probably a very busy person. That is why the Award is ideal for you, as you can probably count several of the activities you are currently enjoying towards your Award. On top of this, some of the elements could count for your Queen's Guide Award. You will need to make sure that you meet the requirements of both schemes before you undertake any activity.

This case study shows how your work in Girlguiding UK can count towards gaining your Gold Award.

• Service – gained Guide Camp Licence by taking part at weekends over a year.
• Physical recreation – gained my Level 2 Windsurfing Proficiency Award.
• Skill – played the flute for 12 months, including playing in the National Scout and Guide Orchestra.
• Expedition – four of us walked 86 km, spending three nights in a tent, in the north-west Lake District.
• Residential – went to Madagascar on a GOLD project for two weeks.

Want to know more?

If you are interested in taking part in the Award through Girlguiding UK, please contact your County Duke of Edinburgh's Award Adviser.