Our purpose: we help young people build life-long belief in themselves, supporting them to take on their own challenges, follow their passions, and discover talents they never knew they had. Because when you prove to yourself that you’re ready for anything, nothing can hold you back.
taken from https://www.dofe.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/DofE_Strategy_edited.pdf
Not all of that can be achieved through the other four elements
For your Expedition section, you will need to plan, train for and complete an unaccompanied, self-reliant expedition with an agreed aim.
taken from Sections - The Duke of Edinburgh's Award
for me it was “sold” as learning the skills to go out and camp over a 24 hour period (Bronze) so i had the skills and understanding/knowledge should I want to later in life.
now it might not sound obvious but attending a music festival could be one of those occasions - it is unlikely anyone will be considering being totally self-sufficient at a music festival but at least there is knowledge on what might be required and skills in knowing what is the right kit etc.
that is a more “everyday” example for the “average” 20-something but for those who want to do more “AT” stuff when else do they learn it but in their youth?
I also understand it was included to give those “inner city kids” the chance to get into the countryside, to visit it and see what is in the countryside
TBH the whole scheme can and often does appear to be like that. I recall my Bronze was a tick box exercise, but as so much of the Cadet experience is relevant there is little “extra” effort to put in - as a Scout prior to Cadets I had all the map reading and camping skills I needed, the one “new” element was carrying the kit on my back.
the DofE scheme is voluntary and so those who are taking part should be doing so because they want to be there. the phrase “no pain, no gain” comes to mind.
unfortunately this is something many Squadrons miss - and i suggest it is down to a lack of resource/time.
As great as it would be to see all cadets get their Bronze level NNAS prior to a DofE exped, it requires CFAV time and effort to put that together, and Cadet interest to take part - and the availability to do so with everything else going on.
I have see DofE practise groups come to a t-junction (so a 50-50 decision) and make the wrong turn despite all the evidence pointing them in the correct decision such was the level of their map reading and navigation skills…for many the practise is where ALL the learning takes place not in 3-4 day walks leading up to the expeditions.
