DofE – Levels, Sections and Requirements
On this page is everything you need to know about the different levels and sections of DofE. It also has the requirements for each of these.
The Levels:
Bronze
- Age: 14+ (or in year 9), complete by 25th birthday.
- Duration: At least 6 months
- Volunteering, Skill & Physical each for 3 months, one section for 6 months.
- Expedition – 2 days, 1 night in normal country.
Silver
- Age: 15+ (or in year 10), complete by 25th birthday.
- Duration: At least 12 months (6 if completed Bronze Award)
- Volunteering – 6 months, Skill & Physical – one for 3 months and the other for 6 months
- If Bronze not completed, an additional 6 months must be added to a 6 month section
- Expedition – 3 days, 2 nights in open country.
Gold
- Age: 16+ (no activities can count before 16th birthday), complete by 25th birthday.
- Duration: At least 18 months (12 if completed Bronze Award)
- Volunteering – 12 moths, Skill & Physical one for 6 months and the other for 12 months
- If Silver not completed, an additional 6 months must be added to a 12 month section
- Expedition – 4 days, 3 nights in wild country.
- Residential Project – 5 days, 4 nights (see below)
The Sections:
Volunteering
Aim: To make a positive contribution to your community, by helping an individual or an organisation.
> You can volunteer as an individual or a team.
> Up to one quarter of the time can be training towards your chosen service.
> There are lots of opportunities within Scouting, for leadership roles you need to complete some training.
> There are lots of choices including helping people or animals, leadership, raising awareness, environmental projects or helping a charity.
> You cannot be paid for the activity you do!
Skills
- Aim: To develop practical and social skills and personal interests.
> Physical activities, while they have elements of skill, cannot be used for this section. It can be useful to think of physical activities as those that make you sweat and a skill as one that does not.
> There are over 300 different activity ideas you can choose from including: playing an instrument, learning a language, event planning, gliding, marksmanship (shooting) or producing a newsletter or website.
> There are several actvities you can do within Scouting which must be run in accordance with POR.
> The activities need to be done in your own free time and not part of directed time at school.
Physical
- Aim: To participate and show improvement in a sport, dance or fitness activity.
> Physical activities are generally ones that make you sweat. Some sports e.g. marksmanship, snooker/pool and gliding are actually skill activities, make sure you check the list.
> There are lots of choices including team sports, individual sports and just keeping fit!
> Scouting Activities include: archery, canoeing, climbing, rowing, sailing & walking, which most be run in accordance with POR.
> The activities need to be done in your own free time and not part of directed time at school.
Expedition
Aim: To plan, train for and complete an expedition with a purpose.
> Every expedition needs to be unaccompanied, self-reliant and with an agreed aim or purpose.
> The expedition must be by your own physical effort using one of the following modes of travel: Land (walking, cycling, horse riding or wheelchair) or Water (canoeing, rowing or sailing)
> All expeditions must meet the 20 conditions, which are assessed by an accredited D of E assessor.
> You need to prepare, train for, complete at least one practice, complete the qualifying expedition and give your presentation back. More details can be found on the expedition resources page.
> The expedition will usually take place with your Scout Group, but there are several opportunities on the D of E website. Our preferred activity provided for Gold Expeditions is Expedition Wales.
| Level | Duration | Planned Activity | Recommended environment |
| Bronze | 2 days, 1 night | 6 hours, min 3 hours jouneying | Rural country, canals, rivers or inland waterways/lakes. Can be familiar to participants |
| Silver | 3 days, 2 nights | 7 hours, min 3.5 hours jouneying | Rural, open or forest countryside, but should include some open areas. Canals, rivers, inland waterways/lakes or sheltered costal waters. Must be unfamiliar to particpants. |
| Gold | 4 days, 3 nights | 8 hours, min 4 hours jouneying | Wild Country, remote from habitation which is unfamiliar to participants (emphasis is going through rather than over, solitude not altitude!). Rivers, inland waterways and lakes in rural areas; sheltered coastal waters or esturies. Yachts may use the open sea. |
Residential
Aim: to take part in a shared activity away from home
> There are a wide range of activity choices, such as training, activity based, environmental or volunteering.
> It needs to be with a majority of people you do not know.
> Activities such as attending the World Scout Jamboree as a participant do not count, as you know the people well before you attend.
> You should use the residential section checker to check your proposed activity is acceptable.
> There are lots of opportunities on the D of E website.