The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is open to all people between the ages of 14yrs and 25yrs.  There are three levels of the Award, BRONZE, SILVER & GOLD. 

The cadet who elects to participate in the scheme, working their way through the Bronze and Silver Award and completing the Gold Award is somewhat of a rarity.  Cadets who complete their Gold Award always express their sense of pride, self belief and  achievement that they experience.  Cadets and Adult Instructors who complete their Gold Award are invited to either |Buckingham Palace or St James Palace (depending on the time of year) with a guest, to receive their Gold certificate and meet the Duke of Edinburgh.  The Gold Award holders are also invited to an Award evening held at the Great Hall Winchester, where they are presented with an additional certificate, on behalf of Hampshire County Council, by the Lord Lieutenant Mary Fagan.  The Lord Lieutenant is always especially pleased to present these certificates to members of Hants & IOW ACF. 
 

Several of our cadets, past and present will be invited to the Great Hall Winchester for this years award ceremony to be held on 3 July 2009.  These include 1 ex cdt from Y Coy (a further 3 if they get their paperwork in on time) and 1 Cdt and SI from A Coy. Participants of the Gold Award probably gain the greatest sense of achievement from the expedition and residential sections of the award. In years gone by cadets have undertaken these sections in :- BAVARIA, BOLIVIA (South America), LAPLAND, FINLAND, SOUTH AFRICA, KENYA, LITHUANIA, NORTHERN IRELAND, DARTMOOR,  AVIEMORE, LAKE DISTRICT, CANADA, CRETE

Cadets past and present have displayed great courage and determination in order to complete their Gold award.  From personal experience I remember the fantastic effort of six young cadets in 1999 who between them raised in excess of £12,000 so they could undertake their expedition in Bolivia, South America.  I also acknowledge the personal courage of the young cadet who undertook his expedition in Lapland, less than 18months after he was involved in a serious accident in which on Christmas Day and he himself spent a long spell in Great Ormond Street Hospital, and this young man was also diabetic.  I have great respect and admiration for the young cadet who was diagnosed with lukemia (between Bronze and Silver award), and who went on to complete his Gold Award.

I can also tell you, again from personal experience that the Gold Award is being recognised more and more by employers.  Gold award holders have already displayed dedication, commitment and enthusiasm by completing the award.  These are often the very qualities that employers are looking for when they interview future employees.  I know of at least two ex cadets who were borderline for University acceptance and the Gold Award tipped the scales in their favour.