Complete Your Silver DofE with the Army Cadets
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Silver Award is the second level of the Prémio Duque de Edimburgo (DofE), allowing you to build on your Bronze experience or take on DofE for the first time.
Silver DofE is a step up from Bronze, with longer activity sections and a three-day, two-night expedition. You’ll complete four sections: Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition, developing greater independence, resilience and teamwork along the way.
Army Cadets can support you with activities, training and guidance to help you work towards your Silver Award. Speak to your detachment to find out what DofE opportunities are available locally.
How Army Cadets Can Help You Complete Silver DofE
Many of the skills and experiences available through Army Cadets could support your Silver DofE journey.
Depending on local provision, the Army Cadets may be able to help with:
- activities that could count towards your Volunteering, Physical and Skills sections
- choosing suitable activities and setting achievable goals
- navigation, route planning and map-reading
- artesanato de campo and outdoor preparation
- identifying appropriate Assessors
- recording your progress through eDofE
- preparing for your expedition
- support from adult volunteers and DofE Leaders
- progressing from Bronze and towards Gold.
Activities must meet official DofE requirements and should be approved by your DofE Leader before you start. Not every Army Cadet activity will automatically qualify, and DofE provision may vary between detachments, counties and regions.
What Is the Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award?
Silver is the second of the three DofE levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold.
It involves the same four sections as Bronze but requires a greater commitment. You’ll spend longer developing your activities and take part in a more challenging expedition lasting three days and two nights.
You don’t need to have completed Bronze before starting Silver. If you’re ready for the challenge, you can begin your DofE journey directly at Silver, although you’ll need to spend longer completing your programme.
Who Can Start Silver DofE?
You can start your Silver DofE in the school year in which you turn 15.
You can progress to Silver after completing your Bronze Award, or you can start directly at Silver without completing Bronze first.
If you haven’t completed Bronze, you’ll need to spend an additional six months on either your Volunteering section or whichever of your Physical or Skills sections you’re completing for longer.
Can You Complete Silver DofE Without Bronze?
Yes. You don’t need to have completed Bronze DofE before starting Silver.
The main difference is how long it will take:
6 months – Complete the standard Silver section timescales
12 months – Complete an additional 6 months in Volunteering or your longer Physical/Skills section
Starting directly at Silver means making a longer commitment, so speak to your Army Cadets DofE Leader about whether this is the right route for you.
What Do You Need to Complete Silver DofE?
Silver DofE has four sections:
Give your time to support a community, organisation or cause – 6 months
Work towards a fitness or physical activity goal – 3 or 6 months
Develop a practical, creative or personal skill – 3 or 6 months
Plan, train for and complete a team expedition – 3 days and 2 nights
You’ll choose either your Physical or Skills section to complete for six months and complete the other for three months.
If you’re starting Silver without Bronze, you’ll also need to complete an additional six months in either Volunteering or the longer of your Physical or Skills sections.
Completing Your Silver DofE Volunteering Section
Your Volunteering section is about giving your time to make a positive difference to other people, your community, the environment or an approved cause.
Potential Army Cadets-related activities could include:
- supporting community events
- environmental conservation projects
- charity fundraising
- Remembrance and civic activities
- supporting an approved local organisation
- helping younger cadets where appropriate and formally approved
- taking part in sustained community projects.
You’ll volunteer regularly for at least six months, working towards an agreed goal and recording your progress.
Routine attendance at Army Cadets does not automatically count as volunteering. Always discuss your chosen activity with your DofE Leader and make sure it meets the requirements before starting.
Completing Your Silver DofE Physical Section
Your Physical section challenges you to improve your fitness or performance through regular physical activity.
Depending on your interests, activities could include: running, hiking, swimming, cycling, cadet sport, canoeing or kayaking, climbing, martial arts and team sports.
You can try something new or challenge yourself to improve at an activity you already enjoy.
You’ll complete your Physical section for either three or six months, depending on whether you choose Physical or Skills as your longer section.
Army Cadets also provides opportunities to take part in formação aventureira, which could help you discover a new physical challenge.
Completing Your Silver DofE Skills Section
Your Skills section gives you the opportunity to develop a practical, creative or personal skill over three or six months.
Army Cadets provides training across a wide range of subjects, so potential activities could include:
- primeiros socorros
- música
- navigation and map reading
- photography
- communication
- cooking
- public speaking
- coding and digital skills
- leadership or instructional skills, where eligible
- an appropriate Programa de Cadetes
Whatever you choose, you’ll need to set a clear goal and demonstrate how your ability has developed over time.
Looking for inspiration? Explore our DofE skills ideas to help you choose an activity.
Remember, not every Cadet Syllabus activity automatically meets DofE requirements. Agree your chosen activity with your DofE Leader before starting.
What Army Cadet Activities Could Count Towards Silver DofE?
Your existing Army Cadet activities may give you plenty of inspiration for your Silver programme.
Community projects, charity support or approved civic activities.
Hiking, running, paddlesport, fitness or cadet sport.
First aid, music, navigation, communication or photography.
Route planning, expedition training and approved expedition activities.
These are examples only. Activities must meet official DofE requirements and should be approved by your DofE Leader before you begin.
What Is Involved in a Silver DofE Expedition?
The Silver expedition is a step up from Bronze and allows you to demonstrate greater independence, endurance and teamwork.
Your qualifying expedition takes place over three days and two nights.
Working as part of a team, you’ll:
- agree an expedition aim
- plan your route
- navigate as a team
- carry your personal and shared equipment
- manage your food and water
- prepare meals
- camp overnight
- respond to changes in weather or route conditions
- support your teammates
- complete your journey and expedition aim.
You’ll be appropriately supervised, but you’ll be expected to make decisions and work together as a team throughout the journey.
How Army Cadets Can Prepare You for Your Silver Expedition
Army Cadets training can help you develop many of the practical skills you’ll need to take on your Silver DofE expedition with confidence. Through navigation and expedition training, you can build your map-reading and compass skills, learn how to plan routes and gain experience navigating in the outdoors.
You’ll also develop essential campcraft skills, including pitching a tent, preparing and cooking food outdoors, packing and carrying a rucksack and choosing suitable equipment for your journey. Training can also cover primeiros socorros and emergency procedures, understanding weather conditions and following the Countryside Code, helping you prepare for the different situations you could encounter during your expedition.
Just as importantly, Army Cadets gives you opportunities to develop your teamwork and communication. You’ll learn how to work together, make decisions as a group and support your teammates when things don’t go to plan. All of this can help prepare you for the greater independence and responsibility involved in completing your Silver DofE expedition.
The exact training and preparation available will depend on your group and local DofE provision, so speak to your detachment team to find out what support is available.
What Happens on a Silver DofE Expedition?
You’ll meet your team and leaders, complete final equipment checks, review your route and expedition aim, and make sure everyone understands the safety and emergency procedures.
Shared equipment will also be distributed between the team.
You’ll navigate together along your planned route while working towards your team goal.
As a team, you’ll manage your food and water, plan rest stops, support each other and make decisions if circumstances change.
At the end of the day, you’ll set up camp, prepare and cook your food and organise your equipment.
You’ll also have the opportunity to review the day and prepare for the next stage of your journey.
Once you’ve completed your route, you’ll review your experience and team performance and complete any required expedition outcome or evidence.
What Equipment Do You Need for Silver DofE?
Your DofE Leader will provide you with a kit list for your expedition, but you’ll typically need equipment such as:
- suitable walking boots or approved footwear
- walking socks
- appropriate layers
- waterproof jacket and trousers
- spare clothing
- seasonal hat and gloves.
- a suitable rucksack
- tent or shared tent
- sleeping bag
- sleeping mat
- waterproof liner or dry bags.
- maps
- compass
- whistle
- watch
- torch or head torch
- required first-aid equipment.
- expedition food
- water containers
- cooking equipment
- mug, bowl and utensils.
Some equipment may be shared or available to borrow, so speak to your detachment before buying expensive kit.
How Long Does Silver DofE Take?
How long Silver takes depends on whether you’ve already completed Bronze.
If you have your Bronze Award, Silver takes a minimum of six months. You’ll complete:
- six months of Volunteering
- six months of either Physical or Skills
- three months of the remaining section
- your three-day, two-night expedition.
If you’re starting directly at Silver without Bronze, the minimum programme length is 12 months because you’ll need to complete an additional six months in one section.
DofE is about regular participation and development over time, so your Award may take longer than the minimum.
How to Start Silver DofE Through Army Cadets
Ask your detachment commander how you can sign up for Silver DofE.
Let your DofE Leader know whether you’ve completed Bronze or are starting directly at Silver.
Your detachment, county or relevant Army Cadets team will explain the registration process.
Choose appropriate activities for Volunteering, Physical and Skills and decide whether Physical or Skills will be your longer section.
Set a goal for each activity and agree who will assess your progress.
Use eDofE to manage your programme and upload the required evidence and Assessor reports.
Develop the navigation, campcraft, teamwork and other skills needed for your expedition.
Put your training into practice during your three-day, two-night Silver expedition.
Why Complete Silver DofE with Army Cadets?
Completing your Silver DofE with Army Cadets allows you to take on new challenges 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, develop practical and outdoor skills and prepare for the increased challenge of your Silver expedition.
As you progress through your Award, you’ll develop greater confidence and independence while strengthening your teamwork, communication, leadership and decision-making skills. Your Volunteering section also gives you the chance to make a sustained contribution to your community, while your Physical and Skills sections encourage you to challenge yourself and develop your abilities over time.
The experiences you gain through Silver DofE can also give you valuable examples to draw on in education, university and job applications. Once you’ve completed Silver, you’ll be well placed to take the next step and work towards your Gold DofE.
What Happens After Silver DofE?
Completing Silver can prepare you to take on the highest level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award: Gold.
Gold builds on many of the experiences you’ll have gained at Silver but involves longer activity sections, a four-day, three-night expedition and an additional Residential section.
The independence, navigation, teamwork and outdoor skills you’ve developed during Silver can give you a strong foundation for your next challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions About Silver DofE
You can start Silver DofE in the school year in which you turn 15.
No. You can start directly at Silver without completing Bronze. However, you’ll need to complete an additional six months in either Volunteering or whichever of your Physical or Skills sections you’re doing for longer.
If you’ve completed Bronze, Silver takes a minimum of six months. If you’re starting directly at Silver, it takes a minimum of 12 months.
The four sections are Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition.
The Silver qualifying expedition takes place over three days and two nights.
Yes, some Army Cadets activities may count if they meet the official DofE requirements. Always agree your activities with your DofE Leader before starting.
You’ll need suitable clothing and footwear, camping equipment, navigation and safety equipment, and food and cooking equipment. Your DofE Leader will provide the appropriate kit list for your expedition. Some equipment is available to borrow from stores.
Registration, expedition and equipment costs can depend on local arrangements, registration usually costs around £33. Speak to your detachment or DofE Leader for current information before registering or purchasing equipment.
You’ll need an appropriate Assessor for each section who can confirm your progress and achievements. Your DofE Leader can help you identify suitable Assessors.
Your programme, activities, evidence and Assessor reports are managed through eDofE.
Yes, but speak to your DofE Leader before changing your activity so they can make sure your new choice meets DofE requirements and your programme is updated correctly.
Yes. Completing Silver gives you valuable experience that can help prepare you for Gold DofE, including its longer expedition and additional Residential section.
Take the Next Step with Silver DofE
Whether you’re building on your Bronze experience or taking on Silver as your first DofE challenge, Army Cadets can help you work towards your Award.
From choosing your activities and recording your progress to developing your expedition skills, you’ll have opportunities to challenge yourself, learn new skills and work towards your goals.
If you’re already a cadet, speak to your detachment team about Silver DofE opportunities. If you’re thinking about joining Army Cadets, find your nearest detachment and ask what DofE support is available locally.
You can also explore all Duke of Edinburgh’s Award levels with Army Cadets to learn more about Bronze, Silver and Gold.