Duke of Edinburgh award shares ‘experience list’ designed to build character

As part of a call on the government to encourage character building in schools, the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) award has drawn up a checklist of 25 experiences that could help young people grow in confidence and resilience.

The list includes activities such as trying veganism, taking a ‘digital detox’, public speaking and getting to know an older person. While the DofE acknowledges that most teenagers will be able to tick off some activities from the list already, they are asking that the government do more to support character and resilience building in schools.

The list grew out of a DofE poll that found that of a thousand teenagers surveyed, more than half (51%) had never had a part-time job and more than 2 in 5 (44%) believed they did not have enough opportunity to build confidence and resilience. One in five surveyed had never been on a walk or hike in the countryside, and more than half (52%) had never volunteered in the community.

Gold DofE award-winner Dot Hakim, 21, said the activities they completed helped them overcome serious setbacks. “I faced many personal challenges as a teenager ... These experiences are vital for young people to develop the right skills for this tough world.”

In response, the Department for Education defended its record on character education. “We want young people to be confident, healthy and equipped to deal with the challenges that come with growing up,” a spokesman said. “That is why our new relationships and health education will teach pupils from an early age the benefits of being active, spending time outdoors, community participation, and the impact of voluntary and service-based activity on their wellbeing.”

DofE scheme draws up 'experience list' to build teen resilience (The Guardian) Duke of Edinburgh award says cooking a vegan meal is essential part of growing up (The Times) The 25 things all teenagers should do: Duke of Edinburgh's Award staff draw up checklist of activities to help youngsters build character (The Daily Mail)

Why should this matter to me? With new Ofsted guidance focused on building character and resilience, this list would be a great conversation-starter to get schools thinking about how careers, adventure and life-experience products could help their students flourish and their school ranking rise. The accompanying report also shows that many young people are missing out on chances to experience the great outdoors. It may therefore also be a good time to discuss how outings, longer travel experiences and even outdoor sport and play equipment could benefit schools.