The Award: Basics

The Award aims to provide for young people an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development, which is of the highest quality and the widest reach.

The Aim of the Award

The Award aims to provide for young people an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development, which is of the highest quality and the widest reach.

Commitment to participants

We aim to ensure that participants enjoy a high quality Award experience and participants should be able to expect:

• To take part in an Award which is held in high regard by potential employers and the general public.

• A supportive and positive environment that ensures they enjoy their Award experience.

• Relevant and up-to-date information and advice.

• Guidance on finding the resources necessary to enable them to meet the objectives of the Award Programme.

• Safe and appropriate training and assessment.

• Recognition of their success and achievements.

• Freedom of choice allowing them to select the activities they wish to pursue.

• Equal Opportunities.

• To be involved in the planning, decision-making and reviewing of their experience.

• Opportunities for them to develop personal and social skills leading to increased confidence, independence and self-esteem.

• Supportive evaluation and feedback that enables them to gain knowledge, understanding and increased self-awareness.

Award Leaders and the Operating Authority are there to support participants and, as young people get involved, we hope they will fulfil their ambitions, make friends and have fun.

Key Principles

It is essential for everyone involved in the Award, whether as a participant or leader, to share a common understanding of the principles which underpin all aspects of the Programme's delivery. These key principles are:

• Non-competitive. The Award is a personal challenge and not a competition against others. Each participant's programme is tailor-made to reflect their individual starting point, abilities and interests.

• Available to All. With a commitment to equal opportunities, the Award Programme is available to all young people who choose to take up its challenge.

• Voluntary. Young people make a free choice to enter the programme and commit their own time to undertake the activities.

• Flexible. Young people design their own programme, which can be geared to their own choice and personal circumstances and also to local provision. They may enter for whichever level of Award best suits them and may take as long as they wish to complete an Award.

• Balanced. By choosing activities in each of four different Sections (five at Gold), participants undertake a balanced and wide ranging programme.

• Progressive. At each level, the Award Programme demands more time and an increasing degree of commitment, and responsibility from the participant.

• Achievement focused. Before starting an activity, young people are encouraged to set their own goals. If they aim for those goals and show improvement, they will achieve their Award.

• Marathon, not a sprint. The Award demands persistence and commitment and cannot be completed in a short burst of enthusiasm. Participants may want to continue with activities beyond the minimum time requirements set out for each level of the Award.

• Personal development. The Award is a programme of personal and social development. The value to young people is dependent on personal commitment, the learning process and the quality of the experience.

• Enjoyable. Young people and helpers should find participation enjoyable and satisfying.

Benefits to participants

In taking part, participants develop

• self-belief

• self-confidence

• a sense of idendity

• independence – of thought and action

• a sense of responsibility

• an awareness of their potential

• new talents and abilities

• an understanding of strengths and weaknesses

• the ability to plan and use time effectively

• the ability to learn from and give to others in the community

• new relationships

• skills including problem solving, presentation and communication

• the ability to lead and work as part of a team

Levels and Sections

There are three separate Awards – Bronze, Silver and Gold with different minimum starting ages and periods of participation.

At each level there are four sections:

• Service - to encourage service to individuals and the community

• Expeditions - to encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery

• Skills - to encourage the discovery and development of personal interests and social and practical skills

• Physical Recreation - to encourage participation and improvement in physical activity.

The is an additional requirement at the Gold level:

• Residential Project - to broaden young people's experiences through involvement with others in a residential setting.

Time requirements

Award levels

Participants are encouraged to work at their own pace but it should be noted that the minimum periods of participation are:

Award sections

Service

• Bronze: at least 15 hours, spread over 3 months

• Silver: at least 30 hours, spread over 6 months

• Gold: at least 60 hours, spread over 12 months

Expeditions

• Bronze (Expedition): 2 days, with a minimum of 6 hours of planned activity each day

• Silver (Expedition or Exploration): 3 days, with a minimum of 7 hours of planned activity each day

• Gold (Expedition, Exploration or Other Adventurous Project): 4 days, with a minimum of 8 hours of planned activity each day

Skills

• Bronze: minimum period 6 months

• Silver: a minimum period 12 months (Bonze Award Holder: 6 months)

• Gold: minimum period 18 months (Silver Award Holder: 12 months)

Physical Recreation

• Bronze: minimum period 3 months

• Silver: a minimum period 4 months

• Gold: minimum period 5 months

Residential Project (additional requirement for the Gold Award)

• 5 days and 4 nights