Meeting a member of the Royal Family is just one perk for young people involved in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Young Canadians Challenge. Designed to help youth develop a sense of themselves and their community, the leadership-in-action program is open to 14- to 25-year-olds around the globe.
Although the program was initially designed for street kids, Canada's independent schools are embracing the program and its philosophies, says Jill Hermant, executive director of the award's Ontario division. Seventy-six independent schools (including many listed with OurKids.net), are involved, representing 4,900 students.
"It lends itself well to the core values of a lot of independent schools," explains Susan Hazell, executive director of the Canadian Association of Independent Schools.
Founded in the United Kingdom in 1956, the program encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards; each demands an increased time commitment. To qualify, young people must complete four sections: community service, an expedition, one of 200 hobby or vocational skills, and physical recreation. Those going for gold add a residential project, living and working with those who are not part of their everyday life.
Ontario's Lakefield College School boasts among the highest number of gold recipients in the country. Senior student Lauren Allen recently earned gold. She spent three months in South Africa as part of the residential requirement, something she might not have considered otherwise. "The opportunities are there and it encourages you to take advantage of them," she says.
Because of Lakefield College School's emphasis on outdoor activities, the students already do a lot of what is required, says teacher David Walsh, the school's group leader for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. In Grade 9, bronze is part of the curriculum, but after that individuals can follow through on earning silver and gold.
This year 183 students, or about half the school, got involved.
The incentives are plentiful. Not only is the award presentation exciting and the activities fun, but listing the Duke of Edinburgh's Award on resumes and university applications holds a lot of weight, Walsh says. "The program is a bonus in terms of what it can help them achieve later in life."
How school size impacts the student experience at TCS [Read more]
TCS’s service learning program provides the hands-on experience of giving back [Read more]
What language education at Alexander von Humboldt German International School Montreal provides [Read more]
How HTS is building a state-of-the-art online education platform that focuses on student relationships [Read more]
How The Linden School paves the way for global change through their STEM programs [Read more]
How a new on-site theatre will support Villanova College’s rich arts programming [Read more]
School size matters
How school size impacts the student experience at TCS (April 4, 2024)
La critique de l'éditeur de Our Kids: La Citadelle International Academy.
(March 19, 2024)
Out of the class and into the community
TCS’s service learning program provides the hands-on experience of giving back (February 13, 2024)
The benefits of multilingualism
What language education at Alexander von Humboldt German International School Montreal provides (February 1, 2024)
Profile of Carrie Hughes-Grant, Head of School, Holy Name of Mary College
“It’s all about giving the girls a voice.” (December 14, 2023)
