Toronto Catholic District School Board

Duke of Edinburgh Award

By: Alessia P., Student Reporter

Cathlin Sullivan, Duke of Ed Award Officer, addresses

Loretto Abbey Duke of Ed participants

Are you interested in learning new skills, volunteering, and exercising? If the answer is yes, then you should consider joining the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. This is a global program that aims to challenge, empower, and recognize young people between the ages of 14 and 24.

“The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a great way to grow as a well-rounded student by doing extracurricular activities, physical recreation, learning new skills, and also going on an adventurous journey,” said Ariel Corsano, a Grade 12 student and Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award recipient.

This program has three levels (Bronze, Silver, and Gold) allowing participants to have the continued opportunity to develop skills throughout their lives. The award helps students challenge themselves, channel their motivations, and realizee their goals.

“The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a really great way of getting active, helping out in your community, and learning new skills,” said Hilary Bassi, a grade 10 student currently pursing her Bronze Award.

So what is the difference between each Award level? For the most part, each level has similar requirements, but the time commitment for each award is increased the farther you go in the program with Bronze taking 26 weeks, Silver 26 (if you have already completed Bronze), and Gold lasts 56 weeks (if you have earned the Silver Award). In addition, the Gold Award requires a longer adventurous journey and a residential project. If you earn your Gold Award, you will be invited to a special Gala where a member of the Royal Family will present you with the Award. At this year’s Gala, Prince Henry personally gave out the Awards.

“The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a fun and engaging program where I get to complete my volunteer hours,” said Kathleen Britton, a Grade 9 student, who is currently completing her Bronze Award requirements and is quite happy with how the Award is helping her.

According to Sophie Harriman and Lily Downing-Saliani, two Grade 11 students working on their Silver Awards, this program not only helps to recognize activities students are doing outside of school, but also helps them to maintain commitments to these passions.

The mission of the program is to give youth a non-competitive environment that builds self-confidence and awareness of social issues to become active citizens and make positive changes in their communities. The Duke of Edinburgh program is definitely accomplishing its mission at Loretto Abbey.