Once you have signed up. Your DofE Leader will email you a link to your DofE account. This is where you log your progress through your DofE programme and where your Leader checks and approves you’ve completed your activity in each section. Once you’ve added your home address to your DofE profile you’ll be sent a Welcome Pack with lots of helpful information and your personalised DofE Card so you can access discounts and offers on expedition kit and other items. 

Now, you can start choosing what activities you want to do and decide your goals – although you don’t have to wait until you get your Welcome Pack before you start planning your programme.

Once your Leader has approved your plans, you’re ready to get going with your activities.

For each of your DofE sections, you need to choose an activity. Remember – you own your DofE programme and have the freedom to choose activities that are specific and relevant to you.

Don’t worry if you can’t find exactly what you want to do, speak to your DoE Manager or Leader – most activities can count towards your DofE. All we ask is that any new activity is checked with your DoE contact to make sure it’s counted for the right section.

It will usually take you at least 6 months to complete your Bronze programme.

– Volunteering section: 3 months
– Physical section: 3 months
– Skills section: 3 months
– Expedition section: 2 days/1 night

You also have to spend an extra three months on one of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections. It’s your choice which one and, though you can change your mind later, you should decide which section you want to do for longer at the beginning. Knowing how long you’re going to do it for will help you to choose your activity and set your goals for each section.