Challenge yourself to leave your comfort zone and discover the world around you. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award (the Award) is a proven personal development programme for young people. You can complete your award with us if your school does not offer a DoE Program and also your two adventurous journeys and training.
Through our involvement in the Award, we aim to foster a positive and holistic sense of self-worth in our youth – to encourage them to take care of their mental, social, physical and spiritual wellbeing. We take them off the grid, and teach hard skills that will keep them safe in the future, and build their confidence.
Anyone aged 14 to 24 can do the Award programme at one of three progressive levels which lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award when successfully completed.
Award participants are required to complete four sections at each level: voluntary service, skills, physical recreation and adventurous journey. At Gold level, participants also complete a residential project.
You can complete your Adventurous Journey and Residential part of the Award with Escape – Adventurous Journeys.
On a practical level you will discover that you are capable of more than you can imagine. With the supervision of qualified and experienced instructors, you will learn ‘hard skills’ in a safe environment:
To achieve your Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award, you’ll need to show persistence, commitment and personal development.
Because Award programmes are all about getting out there, having fun and self-development, everyone can achieve something. You’ll find yourself helping people or the community, getting fitter, developing new skills, going on an adventurous journey and, at Gold level only, taking part in a residential activity.
Coach or manage a sports team, fundraise for a charity, volunteer at the SPCA, become a leader at a youth club.
Participate in a team sport such as soccer or netball, athletics, skiing, kayaking, kickboxing, horse riding, running, dancing.
Play a musical instrument, learn a craft such as jewellery making, referee or umpire for a sport, learn sign language, drama or theatre skills.
This is something that you will plan for, it involves being part of a team and completing an expedition for a set number of days.
Attend a residential programme for five days and four nights with people you don’t know and undertake purposeful activity – helping at a youth camp, attend a youth event overseas.