Achieve Your DofE Gold Award with Army Cadets
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award is the highest level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) and allows you to take on your biggest DofE challenge yet.
Open to cadets aged 16 and over, and adult volunteers up to the age of 25, Gold requires you to complete five sections: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition and Residential. You can progress to Gold after completing ਚਾਂਦੀ or start directly at Gold, although you’ll need to make a longer commitment if you haven’t achieved your Silver Award.
Army Cadets can support you with activities, training and guidance as you work towards your Award, from developing your expedition skills to helping you understand the requirements of your Gold Residential.
How Army Cadets Can Help You Complete Gold DofE
Army Cadets provides a range of activities and experiences that could support you as you work towards your Gold DofE. Many activities you take part in as a cadet could contribute towards your Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections. At the same time, your Army Cadets training can help you develop the navigation, campcraft and outdoor skills needed for your expedition.
Your DofE Leader can also help you choose appropriate activities, set achievable goals, identify suitable Assessors and understand how to record your progress through eDofE. As you prepare for the Expedition and Residential sections, your local Army Cadets team can help you understand the requirements and identify suitable opportunities.
Gold also gives you the chance to build on your leadership experience. For example, a role supporting younger cadets could potentially contribute towards your Volunteering section.
Every activity must meet official DofE requirements and should be agreed with your DofE Leader before you start. Routine participation in Army Cadets does not automatically count towards your Award, and Gold opportunities may be organised at detachment, county, regional or national level.
What Is the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award?
Gold is the third and highest level of the ਡਿਊਕ ਆਫ਼ ਐਡਿਨਬਰਗ ਦਾ ਪੁਰਸਕਾਰ. It requires a sustained commitment and gives you the opportunity to develop your confidence, resilience, leadership and independence.
Unlike ਕਾਂਸੀ ਅਤੇ ਚਾਂਦੀ, Gold has five sections:
- ਵਲੰਟੀਅਰਿੰਗ
- ਸਰੀਰਕ
- ਹੁਨਰ
- ਮੁਹਿੰਮ
- Residential.
Your activities take place over longer periods than at the previous levels, while your Expedition lasts four days and three nights. You’ll also complete a Residential, where you’ll spend at least five days and four nights away from home, taking part in a shared activity with people you do not already know.
Who Can Start Gold DofE?
You can start your Gold DofE once you are 16 years old and must complete your Award before your 25th birthday.
You don’t have to complete Bronze or Silver before starting Gold. However, if you haven’t achieved your ਚਾਂਦੀ ਪੁਰਸਕਾਰ, you’ll need to complete an additional six months in either your Volunteering section or the longer of your Physical or Skills sections.
Army Cadets aged 16 and over can work towards Gold through Army Cadets. Adult Volunteers under 25 can also complete their Gold Award through the organisation.
Can You Complete Gold DofE Without Silver?
Yes. You can start Gold DofE without completing Silver first, even if you have completed Bronze.
The difference is how much time you’ll need to commit to your programme.
12 months – Standard Gold section timescales
18 months – An additional 6 months in Volunteering or the longer Physical/Skills section
Starting directly at Gold is a significant commitment, so speak to your DofE Leader about whether it’s the right route for you.
What Do You Need to Complete Gold DofE?
Give your time to benefit other people, your community or an approved cause – 12 months
Improve your fitness or performance through regular activity – 6 or 12 months
Develop a practical, creative or personal skill – 6 or 12 months
Plan, train for and complete a self-sufficient team journey – 4 days and 3 nights
Take part in a shared activity away from home with people you don’t already know – 5 days and 4 nights
You’ll complete either your Physical or Skills section for 12 months and the other for six months.
If you haven’t achieved Silver, you’ll also complete an additional six months in either Volunteering or the longer of your Physical or Skills sections.
Completing Your Gold DofE Volunteering Section
Your Gold Volunteering section requires you to make a sustained contribution to other people, your community, the environment or an approved cause for at least 12 months.
Through Army Cadets, potential activities could include supporting community or Remembrance events, environmental projects, charity fundraising or helping an approved community organisation. You may also be able to use an appropriate leadership role supporting younger cadets, including opportunities through the DofE Young Leader programme.
Whatever you choose, your activity must benefit others and have a clear goal. You’ll need to participate regularly, record your progress and have an appropriate Assessor who can confirm what you have achieved.
Always agree your activity with your DofE Leader before you begin.
Completing Your Gold DofE Physical Section
Your Physical section is about improving your fitness or performance through regular participation in a physical activity.
Potential activities could include running, hiking, swimming, cycling, canoeing or kayaking, climbing, cadet sport, team sports or martial arts.
You’ll complete your Physical section for either six or 12 months, depending on whether you choose Physical or Skills as your longer section.
You should set yourself a measurable personal goal and demonstrate your progress over time. This could mean improving your fitness, developing your technique, increasing your distance or working towards another appropriate personal target.
Army Cadets’ adventurous training activities may also give you inspiration for finding a new physical challenge.
Completing Your Gold DofE Skills Section
The Skills section allows you to develop a practical, creative or personal ability over either six or 12 months.
Potential Army Cadets-related activities could include ਮੁਢਲੀ ਡਾਕਟਰੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ, ਸੰਗੀਤ, ਨੇਵੀਗੇਸ਼ਨ, communication, public speaking, cooking, leadership, instructional skills, coding or an appropriate ਕੈਡੇਟ ਸਿਲੇਬਸ ਵਿਸ਼ਾ।.
Gold requires sustained development, so choose an activity you are interested in and set yourself a meaningful goal. You’ll need to show how your skills have progressed throughout the section, rather than simply showing that you participated.
As with every DofE section, your chosen activity must meet the official requirements and should be agreed with your DofE Leader before you start.
What Is Involved in the Gold DofE Expedition?
Your Gold qualifying expedition takes place over a minimum of four days and three nights, with at least eight hours of planned activity each day.
Before your qualifying expedition, you’ll complete the required training and a practice expedition lasting at least two days and two nights.
As a team, you’ll agree on an expedition goal, plan your route and undertake a self-sufficient journey. You’ll carry the equipment you need, manage your food and water, prepare meals and camp or use other approved simple accommodation.
Gold requires greater independence than the previous levels. Your team will be unaccompanied during the expedition and expected to navigate and make decisions independently, while remaining appropriately remotely supervised.
At the end, you’ll take part in a debrief with your Assessor and complete a presentation about your expedition.
What Is the Gold DofE Residential?
The Residential section is unique to Gold and lets you step outside your usual environment, meet new people, and experience something different.
You’ll spend at least five days and four nights away from home taking part in a shared activity. You’ll stay in shared accommodation, and the majority of the other participants should be people you don’t already know.
Your Residential could help you develop your confidence, independence and communication skills while giving you the chance to experience something that interests or challenges you.
Your planned Residential and Assessor must be approved before you take part, so always discuss your plans with your DofE Leader before making a booking.
What Can You Do for Your Gold DofE Residential?
There are lots of different ways to complete your Residential, so you can find an experience that reflects your interests or lets you try something completely new.
Potential activities include outdoor adventure experiences, conservation projects, volunteering at a camp, leadership training, creative or photography courses, bushcraft and wilderness activities, educational or cultural programmes, sailing and water-based activities, community projects or specialist skills training.
Residentials can vary considerably in location, cost, accommodation, equipment, travel and the experience required. Before booking, check exactly what is included and whether the opportunity meets the DofE Residential requirements.
How to Find a Gold DofE Residential
Start by speaking to your Army Cadets DofE Leader about the type of experience you’d like to complete. Then search for a suitable opportunity, checking its dates, location, cost, accommodation, and any experience or equipment requirements.
Lots of Army Cadet activities can count as your Gold DofE Residential, as long as you’re doing them with a majority of people you don’t already know. From Adventurous Training courses and STEM camp to adult leadership courses and nationally offered Residentials such as Tiree Tiger, there will almost certainly be something that suits your needs! If none of these fit the bill, you can use the official DofE Opportunity Finder to help you explore potential Residential opportunities.
Before paying a deposit or booking your place, ask your DofE Leader to confirm that the opportunity meets the Residential section requirements and agree who will assess your participation.
How Long Does Gold DofE Take?
If you’ve already achieved Silver, Gold takes a minimum of 12 months. You’ll complete 12 months of Volunteering, 12 months of either Physical or Skills and six months of the remaining section. You’ll also complete your Expedition and Residential.
If you haven’t achieved Silver, Gold takes a minimum of 18 months because you’ll need to spend an additional six months on either Volunteering or the longer of your Physical or Skills sections.
You don’t have to begin every section at the same time, but planning your programme carefully can help you manage the commitment and avoid unnecessary delays.
How to Start Gold DofE Through Army Cadets
Ask your detachment or county DofE team about Gold opportunities and how the programme is delivered locally.
Establish whether you’re progressing from Silver or entering Gold directly, as this will determine your minimum programme timescale.
Follow the registration process provided by your Army Cadets DofE team and check any applicable costs or financial support.
Choose appropriate activities for your Volunteering, Physical and Skills sections and decide whether Physical or Skills will be your 12-month section.
Agree what you want to achieve, how long you’ll participate and who will assess each activity before you start.
Use eDofE or the DofE app to record your activities and upload evidence regularly.
Expeditions and Residential opportunities require preparation, so start discussing possible dates and options with your DofE Leader early in your programme.
Once you’ve met the requirements, obtain your Assessor reports and submit each section for approval.
Find Gold DofE Support Near You
Gold DofE opportunities can vary between locations. Some support may be available through your detachment, while expeditions, Residentials or other activities may be coordinated at county, regional or national level.
If you’re already an Army Cadet, speak to your detachment team or DofE contact to find out how Gold is delivered in your area.
If you’re not yet involved with Army Cadets, find your nearest Army Cadet detachment and ask about the DofE opportunities available locally.
Why Complete Gold DofE with Army Cadets?
Completing your Gold DofE with Army Cadets allows you to take on a substantial personal challenge while building on the skills and experiences you develop as a cadet. With support from adult volunteers and DofE Leaders, you can work towards your goals while developing advanced navigation, outdoor and practical skills.
Throughout your Award, you’ll develop greater independence and have opportunities to strengthen your leadership, teamwork, communication and decision-making. Your Volunteering section gives you the chance to make a sustained contribution to others, while your Expedition challenges you to put your planning, resilience and teamwork into practice over four days.
The Residential also takes you beyond your usual Army Cadets environment, giving you the chance to meet new people, experience something different and develop your confidence in unfamiliar surroundings.
Achieving Gold is a significant accomplishment and provides experiences you can draw on in education, university and employment applications. Once your Award has been approved, you’ll also have the opportunity to celebrate your achievement through an official Gold Award celebration event.
What Happens When You Achieve Gold DofE?
Once you’ve completed all five sections, you’ll need to make sure your evidence and Assessor reports have been uploaded and each section has been submitted for approval.
When your Gold Award has been approved, you’ll receive your Award and can be invited to an official Gold Award celebration event. Keep your contact details up to date in eDofE, so you don’t miss information about your achievement and celebration.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gold DofE
You can start Gold DofE from the age of 16 and must complete your Award before your 25th birthday.
No. You can start Gold without completing Silver. However, you’ll need to complete an additional six months in either Volunteering or the longer of your Physical or Skills sections.
Gold takes a minimum of 12 months if you’ve achieved Silver and at least 18 months if you haven’t.
The five sections are Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition and Residential.
The qualifying expedition takes place over at least four days and three nights, with a minimum of eight hours of planned activity each day.
Yes. Gold participants must complete the required training and a practice expedition of at least two days and two nights before their qualifying expedition.
You’ll spend at least five days and four nights away from home taking part in a purposeful shared activity in an unfamiliar residential setting. Most participants should be people you don’t already know.
It may count only if it meets all official DofE Residential requirements and is approved in advance. Speak to your DofE Leader before assuming a camp or other Army Cadets activity will qualify.
Yes, suitable Army Cadets activities may contribute towards your Award if they meet the official requirements and are approved. Routine participation does not automatically count.
Yes, although some opportunities may be coordinated at county, contingent, regional or national level rather than through individual detachments.
Registration usually costs around £40. Expedition costs can vary but usually nationally-led expeditions cost around £45. Most equipment can be provided. Speak to your Army Cadets DofE team before registering, booking a Residential or buying equipment.
See what opportunities are available within the Army Cadets first. If something doesn’t quite fit the bill, speak to your DofE Leader first or use the official DofE Opportunity Finder to explore suitable opportunities. Always get your Residential approved before making a booking.
Each section needs an appropriate Assessor who can confirm your participation, progress and achievements. Agree on your Assessors with your DofE Leader before starting your activities.
Use eDofE or the DofE app to record your programme, upload evidence and manage your Assessor reports.
Start Your Gold DofE Journey with Army Cadets
Whether you’re progressing from Silver or taking on Gold as your first DofE challenge, Army Cadets can help you understand the requirements, choose suitable activities, prepare for your expedition and plan your Residential.
If you’re already a cadet, speak to your DofE contact about the opportunities available to you. If you’re thinking about joining, find your nearest detachment and ask what DofE support is available locally.
You can also explore all DofE levels with Army Cadets to find out more about Bronze, Silver and Gold.