The Duke of Edinburgh's award scheme is a program created for people to complete in their own time, this program is split into three categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold. the starting category is a the bronze award then extends to the gold. The starting ages for each category are as follows:
Bronze - 14 - this award takes at least 6 months to complete
Silver - 15 - this award takes at least 12 months to complete
Gold - 16 - this award takes at least 18 months to complete
These 30 May, 2006t the bronze level should they wish.

Once your on any of the awards, you are faced with different sections, these sections are as follows:

• Skill
Learn new skills, this can be practically anything from learning to play an instrument, model making, canoeing to artistry.

• Service
Help out in the local community, complete an acvtivity that requires a specialised training course or complete an activity that requires a national qualification.

• Physical recreation:
Complete a project that requires a physical activity. This activity can be pretty much be on anything physica lsuch as: Caving, cross country running, swimming, athletics, rock climbing etc.

• Expedition:
Cadets are expected to plan and organise a 2-4 day expedition (depending on your award level). This can be on foot, horseback, boat or cycle.

• Residential Project
Work as a team on a activity, service or conversation based project for 5 days. This is for gold award users only.