As a cadet at 200 (Torquay) Squadron you are able to do the Duke of Edinburgh's award. The award is for cadets aged 14 and over who want to get something extra out of The Air Training Corps.

The award is split up into 3 different levels Bronze, Silver and Gold and at each level you will be expected to complete a skill, service, physical recreation, an expedition and at Gold you will have to do a residential project. At each level you will have to put in more hours and time to complete the award. Below there is a description about each section of the award and how much time you will need to complete it.

This is a great way to find a new hobby to do or to improve at a hobby you already enjoy. For this part of the award you will need to do with at least one hour a week of your chosen activity.

Activities you can do for your skill with 200 (Torquay) Squadron are: Aeronautics (this can be done as apart of your leading cadet syllabus), Aircraft Recognition (this too can also be done as apart of your leading cadet syllabus), Rifle Drill, Shooting and Aero Modelling. If you want to do something else instead of the ones above you just ask to see a full list of activites allowed by the award.

Service is another part of the award. For this section you will have to go out into the community and volunteer this could be by helping out down a charity shop or in a care home giving the elderly someone to talk to but no matter what you end up doing it will be helping other people out.

With our squadron you may be able to do your service on parade nights but this option is only available to a few cadets and as a cadet you will only be able to complete your service section at Bronze level, for the Silver and Gold levels you will need to be an NCO, and Sergeant or above for the Gold level.

Some possible choices for the Service section could be:

• Caring for the elderly
• Helping out charities
• Helping scouts
• Assisting in First Class Cadet Training on the squadron
• Assisting with lower levels of the D of E Award (Available for Silver and Gold levels)

This section of the award is based around doing something active like playing football or weight training. You will need to show some form of improvement over a set period of time. This section of the award can be undertaken within parade night hours or if you are a member of any sports club that can also contribute.

Some possible choices for the Physical Recreation section are:

• Football
• Rugby
• Circuit Training
• Swimming
• Judo
• Skiing
• Weight Training
• Running

For most people this is the most memorable part of doing the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Due to the squadron's location being close to Dartmoor this section is relatively easy to accomplish but you are not limited to it.

Your expedition does not have to be walking; it can be cycling, horse riding, canoeing, rowing or sailing. However, walking expeditions are the easiest to organise due to equipment required for the expedition. This will be a 2-4 day expedition with 6-8 hours of planned activity depending on the level of the expedition you are part taking in.

All you have to do for your expedition is to plan it. Get the gear and go out and do it. 200 Squadron has many keen staff who enjoy adventurous training so are happy to give plenty of advise to get you started. We can also lend out equipment for a deposit refundable on return.

Lastly, if you are doing your Gold you will have to complete a residential project. For this you will be required to go out into an unfamiliar environment with new people and have a good time for 5 days doing anything you like e.g. Rock Climbing. If you are lucky to gain a week long Gliding Scholarship that will count too.

If you are interested in doing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme speak to an NCO on a parade night. They will point you in the right direction on doing the award and work towards getting you started.