Duke of Edinburgh's Award Mid Argyll Open Award Group

The Award has three levels - Bronze, Silver and Gold.

Each level requires that the participant successfully completes training and assessment in the Service Section, Skills Section, Physical Recreation Section and Expedition Section while the Gold Level additionally requires completion of a Residential Project.

On the successful completion of each level the participant will be presented with a certificate and badge. It is not necessary for a participant to start at the Bronze Award level before going on to do the Silver Award Level.

Participation is open to individual between the ages of 14 and 23 years. No qualifications are required to take part in the Award as all instruction will be given by experienced instructors. It does not matter whether an entrant is at school, college, university, unemployed or working as long as they complete the Award by their 25th birthday. If they leave the area they can be transferred to another Award Group and many employers, universities and colleges now operate their own Award Groups.

The Award offers young people a challenge through hard work and achievement by taking part in a balanced programme of leisure activities in which they are encouraged to serve others, acquire new skills and experience adventure. The Award is not competitive, and anyone with the necessary enterprise and effort can gain an Award, including those with a handicap.

Each participant must purchase an Award Logbook to record their progress through the Award Scheme but it should be noted that it need not cost a lot of money to take part and every young person can afford to join. The Award Group is in a position to lend certain equipment when required to participants but they are encouraged to obtain their own equipment where possible.

Further information on the Award can be obtained at the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Official Website http://www.theaward.org