Duke of Edinburgh

Lakefield College School is proud to have been one of the first institutions in Canada to offer students the opportunity to earn the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh's Award, an international program that operates in more than 45 countries. Every year, more Lakefield students than any other high school in Canada are awarded the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award fosters self-discipline, enterprise and perseverance in all young people. The Award involves comprehensive individual development, self-training and personal achievement, and is based upon individual effort and improvement. To earn an award, an individual must undertake a balanced program of activities in four important areas of self-development:

• voluntary community service
• skill development (hobbies)
• physical recreation
• expeditions

Any young person between the ages of 14 and 25 can participate in the award program. There are three levels to the award: Bronze, Silver and Gold – each with an increasing degree of commitment.

Within each level there are four sections:

• Service – encourages participants to realize that, as members of a community, they have a responsibility to others and that their help is needed.
• Expeditions – develops self-reliance by undertaking an interesting journey of discovery.
• Skills – encourages participants to discover and develop personal interests and social and practical skills.
• Physical Recreation – encourages participation in physical activity and learning to appreciate physical recreation as an important component of a healthy lifestyle.

For the Gold level, participants must also complete a residential project, which develops social adaptability through involvement with others in a group setting. The project requires participation in activities away from home for at least five days. This element can be completed at any time during the Award Program but is only submitted for review at the Gold level.