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The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – Dominica recently concluded a summer youth exchange program with the St. Lucia Chapter. The event took place from July 11 to July 23 and was attended by 24 people, including the Country Director, Ms. Kerry Ann Remie-Timothy and three Youth Development Officers: Lillia Durand, Sean Stedman and Lean Robin.
The officers have been actively supporting award groups in areas such as Roseau, Grandfont, Kalinago Territory and Petit Soufriere. They were joined by three experienced award leaders – Crispin Jules, Brandon Remy and Cuthbert Vivier – and participants from the aforementioned community groups. The group camped out at Castries Comprehensive Secondary School, sharing space with 25 local award participants from various high schools across St. Lucia.
During their time together, campers were trained in basic outdoor skills, including survival techniques, map reading, compass navigation and first aid, all in preparation for a three-day, two-night qualifying expedition, hiking along local trails from Castries to Monchi and Boggis.
Each day of the event started with a fitness session to ensure everyone was ready for the upcoming walking challenge. While the main goal of the exchange was for participants to meet the requirements for the Bronze and Silver Awards, they also had the opportunity to enjoy two days of Carnival festivities and participate in Choc’s community service project, where they helped clean up the beach.
The summer exchange was of particular significance as it marked the resumption of such activities after the Caribbean Sub-Regional Scholarship Council (CASC) suspended its regular summer gatherings in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The trip to St. Lucia provided an opportunity for participants who have been in the program since 2019 to catch up on their scholarships.
Founded in 1958 by the late HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the Award is a non-formal educational framework that focuses on service, self-improvement, adventure and challenge. It is open to young people aged 14 to 25, regardless of their background, education or financial circumstances. The programme is adaptable to the unique needs of each participant and over the past 65 years, millions of young people have participated and benefited from its positive impact on communities around the world.
The award is divided into three levels: the Bronze Award, which begins at age 14, followed by the Silver Award and the Gold Award, which must be completed by age 25. Participants participate in four main areas: skill development, community service, sports and recreation, and adventure trips or expeditions. The Gold Award also includes a residential project. The service component emphasizes community contribution, while the skills component encourages personal growth through the exploration of personal interests. The sports and recreation aspect allows participants to participate in any form of physical activity, while the adventure trips include multi-day hiking and camping experiences that increase in complexity at each level.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has been operating in Dominica since 1966 and, despite occasional hiatuses, remains highly prestigious. The Department of Youth Development has been the main partner in the programme since 2008, which is also supported by the Dominican Association of Cadets, Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, and various community groups. In 2021, the local award received funding from the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation through Special Projects – Three Fund Grants to support the DofE RISE (DofE RISE) initiative. This funding facilitated the establishment of three new chapters (Roseau, Grand Fond and Petit Soufriere), revitalised the Kalinago Territorial Group, and provided the necessary expedition and training equipment to enable local practical expeditions and regional exchanges.
Going forward, the National Executive Committee plans to work with local high schools through the Ministry of Education to incorporate the program into their curriculum. A demonstration day is scheduled for November to showcase the award to the public, and a conferment ceremony will be held in December for participants who have completed the different levels of the program.
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