Another of Kurt Hahn's many legacies,  the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (normally DofE - although that could also be the Department of Education!) was started in 1956 by Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, as a series of self-improvement exercises.

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The original intention was to help counteract the Six Declines of Modern Youth identified by Hahn:

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1. Decline of Fitness

2. Decline of Initiative and Enterprise

3. Decline of Memory and Imagination

4. Decline of Skill and Care

5. Decline of Self-discipline

6. Decline of Compassion

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It was originally designed and administered by the great mountaineer, Sir John Hunt, who

led the first, official, successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953.

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Programmes are at three different levels of difficulty (Bronze, Silver and Gold) and must involve these activities:

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1. Physical

2. Expedition

3. Skills

4. Volunteering

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Why do the DofE?

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"For the hundreds of thousands of young people who take part each year, the benefits

of achieving a DofE Award are endless. DofE is about helping you along the path to a productive and prosperous future. As many of our participants say, it’s life-changing.

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You’ll also make a difference to other people’s lives and your community, be fitter and healthier, make new friends and have memories to last you a lifetime."

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