The DofE is a life-changing adventure for Explorers and Network members. It can be as unique as you are – you choose your own pathway! The aim is to challenge young people to find their purpose, passion and place in the world.
DofE has three award levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold.
Info on each Award Level
What’s DofE Bronze?
DofE Bronze is the foundation of your DofE journey, and typically takes 9-12 months to complete. To complete your Bronze award, you have to complete these four Sections:
- Volunteering
- Physical Activity
- Learning / developing a Skill
- Training for & completing a 2-day, 1-night Expedition
You must choose one of your Volunteering, Physical & Skill activities to complete for 6 months, and the other two you need to complete for 3 months.
The minimum age for enrollment in DofE Bronze aged 13.5 and in Year 9.
What’s DofE Silver?
DofE Silver is the next-step of your DofE journey, and typically takes 9-15 months to complete. To complete your Silver award, you have to complete these four Sections:
- Volunteering
- Physical Activity
- Learning / developing a Skill
- Training for, completing & presenting a 3-day, 2-night Expedition
If you have completed DofE Bronze, you must choose one of your Volunteering, Physical & Skill activities to complete for 3 months, and the other two you need to complete for 6 months.
If you didn’t do DofE Bronze, you must complete one of those Sections for 12 months, one Section for 6 months and one Section for 3 months.
The minimum age for enrollment in DofE Silver aged 15, or in Year 10.
What’s DofE Gold?
DofE Gold is the final step of your DofE journey, and typically takes 12-18 months to complete. To complete your Gold award, you have to complete these five Sections:
- Volunteering
- Physical Activity
- Learning / developing a Skill
- Training for, completing & presenting a 4-day, 3-night Expedition
- Taking part in a 5-day, 4-night Residential away from home, with people unfamiliar to you
If you have completed DofE Silver, you must choose one of your Volunteering, Physical & Skill activities to complete for 6 months, and the other two you need to complete for 12 months.
If you didn’t do DofE Silver, you must complete one of those Sections for 18 months, one Section for 12 months and one Section for 6 months.
The minimum age for enrollment in DofE Silver aged 16.
Completing your Expedition with Scouts
Our Scout County (Greater London South West, or GLSW) provides the full Expedition training, practice/qualifying expeditions and expedition presentations for all award levels. You don’t have to be doing your DofE with Scouts so long as you are an Explorer / Network member. It has an outstanding track record and is excellent value for money.
However, you are welcome to use a different Licensed Organisation (LO) to complete your Expedition if you would like.
To find out more about completing your Expedition with GLSW Scout County, have a look at the County website here.
How do I enrol?
Before beginning the enrollment process, please read below to check you are eligible to enrol & the enrollment fees:
| Bronze | – In Year 9 – Born after 01/09/2011 – Member of an Explorer Unit / Network Section | £31 enrollment fee |
| Silver | – In Year 10 – Born after 01/09/2010 – Member of an Explorer Unit / Network Section | £31 enrollment fee |
| Gold | – Aged 16 – Member of an Explorer Unit / Network Section | £38 enrollment fee |
Can I transfer my DofE record to Scouts from another organisation?
Yes! All Award levels – Bronze through to Gold, can be transferred from anywhere (i.e. Cadets/CCF, School, Girlguiding, Youth Club etc). It’s absolutely fine to transfer awards that you are currently working towards – we only charge a £1 admin fee to cover costs of your badge and printing your certificate.
Information on how to transfer your award(s) is on the enrollment form – see below for further information.
Then complete the GLSW Enrollment Form.
We have dedicated support pages for Participants and Leaders in Sutton Scouts. Please see the links below or use the menu
