What is the Duke of Edinburgh's Award

The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award is the World's Leading youth development Award, comprised of 4 sections and 3 levels it is available to all 14-25 year-olds. The Award is an individual Award - you choose activities that suit and challenge you, there is no time limit and it is recognised by universities and employers worldwide!

The Levels

Bronze

Bronze is the first level of The Award, for your Bronze Award you need to complete 13 hours of two sections and 26 hours of one section. 
​You can start your Bronze in the year you turn 14.

Silver

Silver is the second level of the Award, for Silver you need to complete 26 hours of each section if you have completed bronze and an additional 13 hours if you haven't.
You can start your silver once you have completed bronze or are 15

Gold

Gold is the highest level of The Award, for Gold you need to complete 12 months of each section if you have completed silver and an additional 26 hours if you haven't. At gold you also need to complete the Residential Project.
You can start gold as soon as you are 16

The Sections

Skill

For the skill section you can use any hobby or mental activity; games, music, arts and building are just some of the many activities you can use. Use something you already do or take up something new!

Physical Recreation

For the Physical Recreation section you can use any activity that is for your physical wellbeing. Ball sports, athletics, martial arts and water sports are just a few of the may activities you can do. As a general rule, if it raises your heart rate - it counts

Voluntary Service

The Voluntary service section is anything you do to help others, environmental service, youth work and charity service are a few examples. Anything you do to help people outside of your family will probably count.

Adventurous Journey

For the Adventurous Journey Section you will complete training for your journey followed by two 2-4 day camps depending on your Award Level. There are many types of camps to go on - biking, kayaking, horse riding, urban or bush to name a few! Find out more about the Adventurous Journey section here. 

Residential Project (GOLD ONLY)

For the Residential Project you will go on a 5 day trip with a purpose away from home with people you don't know, this could be an environmental, service or educational trip.
Auckland Challenge does not coordinate the Residential Section however our Award Leaders will be happy to help you find a suitable activity.

More about The Award

Online Training

If you are doing your Bronze DofE with Auckland Challenge you can now do the first 7 Adventurous Journey Training modules online for free, sign up at www.acorn.aucklandchallenge.org.nz

​NCEA

​You can get level 1,2 and 3 NCEA credits by doing your award! to find out how to get these credits see the Award's website or Contact us.

Your Kākāriki Journey

Your Kākāriki Journey is an environmentally focused award endorsement,  to complete your Kākāriki journey your skill, service and adventurous journey need to be based around the environment. Find out more HERE.

30% off MacPac

All participants of The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award get 30% OFF Macpac gear at Macpac Stores! Find out how to register for your award HERE ​