The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program was founded by Prince Philip in 1956 and introduced in Canada in 1963. The program was developed to encourage all youth ages 14 to 25 to be active, and to participate in four areas of self-development:
- Community Service – To encourage a sense of responsibility to the community through volunteer work or community service, without pay.
- Adventurous Journey – To cultivate a spirit of adventure and discovery; an understanding of the environment, and the importance of working together in a team with a common purpose.
- Skills Development – To encourage the development of personal interests and learn practical skills through a skill or hobby, and show improvement.
- Physical Recreation – To encourage improved performance and physical fitness. Participants are required to take part in some form of organized physical recreation and show individual progress (only 2 hours per week can be counted).
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Program
Many activities at the Squadron qualify for the program, and registered Cadets are mentored by a trained Leader from the Parent Sponsoring Committee. Cadets can register through the Leader by completing a Registration Form and paying a one time registration fee of $20. The Cadet then receives a Participant Record Book, and sets their own goals. Upon completion of each program level the Cadet requests the Leader to forward their Participant Record Book to the Calgary Duke of Edinburgh’s office. The Cadet is recognized with a pin and certificate.
There are three levels of the Award in which you can participate:
- BRONZE-for those over 14. The minimum period of participation to gain this Award is 6 months. Awarded at Cadets by the 604 Squadron’s Commanding Officer.
- SILVER-for those over 15. The minimum period of participation to gain this Award is 12 months; or 6 months if you have completed Bronze. Awarded by the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.
- GOLD-for those over 16. The minimum period of participation to gain this Award is 18 months; or 12 months if you have completed Silver. Awarded by a member of the Royal Family, or by the Governor General.
Cadets who maximize their participation in Squadron activities are already fulfilling many of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program requirements. With a little extra effort for record keeping,Cadets may achieve these Awards that are looked upon favorably by post secondary educational institutions and employers alike.
To learn more about the Program, please speak with our Duke of Edinburgh Leader.
Examples of Squadron Activities that Qualify
- Community Service: all Cadet parades (Battle of Britain, Remembrance, Stampede, etc.); band concerts; BCMB bottle drives; Squadron fundraising (like cookie dough, etc.); Amazing Chase fundraiser; cemetery cleanup; etc.
- Adventurous Journey: all Squadron field training exercises (but not summer camps), First Aid training, compass work, map reading. Squadron camps do not require the long distance hikes, etc. that are mentioned in your booklet. The requirement is 8 hours of planned activities per day.
- Skills: Model Club, Band, Precision Drill Party, Precision Rifle Party, Flag Party Any Skill you are pursuing regularly for the timeframe required in your booklet will qualify. So come on out and join one of these optional activities.
- Physical Recreation:Biathlon; Sports night (fitness, swimming; roller-blading); Southern Zone practice/competitions
- Gold Award Residential Project: Cadet Summer camps; Band trips and other Squadron trips lasting a minimum of 4 nights, and taking place as a group. The Residential Project can be completed at any time during Bronze, Silver & Gold.
Asking for a Signature in your Booklet:
- Signing your booklet must be done by someone over the age of 18 years.
- Service and Physical Recreation: When only a brief signature is required, that is easily done by an Officer, the Duke Leader, a member of the Parent Association, or your own Parent. When the activity has been long term, you would need to schedule time with your Assessor to write a sentence about your contribution and progress.
- Adventurous Journey: Always write a paragraph about your field training
experience, the role that you played at camp, what you learned, etc. and attach it to your booklet, on the corresponding page. Contact an Officer and request a convenient time to review your booklet and get their signature. The Officer will need time to read your paragraph and write their comments in your booklet. For example, the Officer might agree to meet you at break time, speak with you briefly, and then return your booklet at the end of the evening. - Skills: When you have completed the requirements for your Skill, contact the activity leader (Officer or CI) and ask them to write an assessment of your contribution and development.