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Activity Ideas

Here are some ideas to help you choose your skill, volunteering or physical recreation sections.

There are loads more ideas on the DofE website and in your record books. But, some words of warning first ...........

CAUTION:

It is always worth asking first!

Check that you do not end up doing more than one activity which come under one section.

For example darts and snooker are actually listed as skills NOT sports. You must download the correct syllabus for your proposed activity from the DofE website and show it to your instructor.

Don't assume that someone who has done The Award in the past is up to date.

For example there have been big changes in the volunteering section. This was called SERVICE and activities such as Lifeguards were permitted. Under the new VOLUNTEERING section rules Lifesaving courses are listed as skills.

Do NOT commence Babysitting as your volunteering or any Martial Arts as your sport without speaking to your unit leader.

There are additional rules, training or procedures before you commence some activities. TALK TO US FIRST and download the appropriate section actvitity syllabus from the DofE website.

Breaking news

Stuck chooseing a service, look no further...!

Soon! New mentoring opportunities within school and via 'The Individual Learning Company'. See Mr Hoad

We would like to encourage students (DofE, C.o.P.E. or indeed anyone at all) to help raise the achievement and self-esteem of students who find school more challenging. Could you help others? Do you want to learn more about yourself whilst helping others?

Then mentoring may be the challenge that you are looking for.

There are many oppotunities within school of contact 'The Individual Learning Company' who provided training and challenges at a local school. See Mr Hoad for more information and contact details.

Opportunities at school for section activities

Remember to tell the member of staff that you are doing the DofE and show them the syllabus from the web site for you activity AT THE START!

	Sports clubs (Any activity at lunch or after school could count towards your physical recreation.) Up to date lists of activities are regularly in the school newsletter.
	Library & A.E.N. (Support the librarians or mentor students with their reading skills.)
	Environment (How could our school environment be improved? You could offer to help maintain the Zen garden or design your own project to tidy up a neglected corner of the site. Talk to Ms Murphy so you can get the Environment Club involved.)
	Charities Why not work on a charity project. You could help organise, promote and run an event. Remember you need to complete about 1 hour per week over 3 or 6 months (at Bronze level). (Some of these tasks may also be suitable for the U.A. or C.o.P.E. course participants Post-16. The aspect of problem solving and work with opthers would help complete the required skills)

Opportunities for section activities in the local area.

(Map from C.C.C.)

There are many clubs, businesses, charities and organisations which would welcome DofE participants, but please ask first. Don't just tell them you have been doing a DofE section 3 months after you started!

Local activities to check out
	Bell ringing (Herne Church needs bell ringers. Although it is unusual this activity has prooved popular in the past.)
	Rock climbing (Simon Langton Boys Grammar School has a climbing wall. Get in touch to see if they run after schol clubs that you could join.) There are pictures on the 'Student photos' page of our visit there.
	Rookie Lifesaving Remember to count as a volunteering section a maximum of 25% of your time can be spent training and the rest as a lifeguard, which is often a problem especially if you are under 16. A course in lifesaving at the local pool will count as a SKILL.
	Sports clubs If you regularly attend almost any sporting activity then you can claim it for DofE. Remember that you can backdate claims for 3 months prior to your official enrolment.

Local opportunities to research
	Some local RNLI stations have opportunities for DofE participants. Local stations include Dover, Herne Bay, Whitstable, Sherness.
	The National Trust owns and operates many houses and areas of countryside on behalf of the nation. They are always keen to hear from volunteers willing to offer their assistance with a range of tasks. Local places include: White Cliffs Experience, ... Click here for information
	Learning to drive. B.S.M. were giving discounts for learners who show their DofE record book. You may wish to add the 'Driving Experience' that has been run on the school site to your section. (A skills section task like this may also be suitable for the U.A. or C.o.P.E. course participants at Post-16 - look at the 'personal skill' challenges)