New Zealand Cadet Forces

A guide to completing your Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award with New Zealand Cadet Forces.

What is the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award and why should I get involved?

The concept of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award (the Award) is simple – anyone aged 14 to 24 can do a programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award.

Because Award programmes are all about getting out there, having fun and self-development, everyone can achieve something. You’ll find yourself helping people or the community, getting fitter, developing skills, going on an adventurous journey and at Gold level only, taking part in a residential activity.

What do I need to do to achieve my Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award?

The programme is made up of four sections (five at Gold). Over the required time you’ll need to do each activity for an average of an hour a week. You can count a maximum of 4 hours every 28 days towards your Award. You’ll need to show persistence, commitment and personal development.

Bronze (14+ years old)

To achieve your Bronze Award, you need to complete the following sections:

Silver (15+ years old)

To achieve your Silver Award, you need to complete the following sections:

Gold (16+ years old)

To achieve your Gold Award, you need to complete the following sections:

How New Zealand Cadet Forces can help you gain your Award:

SERVICE: GIVE BACK

Give back to your community by regularly volunteering

NZCF activities that meet the service section:

Teamwork and leadership conducted while attending unit parades and activities

Bronze: Completions of NZCF Year 2 Training

Silver: Completion of NZCF Year 3 Training

Gold: Completion of NZCF Year 4 Training

ANZAC Day, Poppy Day and Remembrance Day perparation and participation
Other community service events

PHYSICAL: BREAK A SWEAT

Participate regularly in a team or individual sport eg: netball, soccer, kayaking, running, dance.

SKILLS: FIND YOUR GENIUS

Challenge yourself to improve your skills and widen your interests

NZCF activities that meet the Skills section:

cadets

ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY: GET WILD AND EXPLORE

As part of a small team plan, train for and undertake an expedition or exploration for a set number of days in the outdoors. This includes 20 hours training in bush craft skills and a practice journey prior to undertaking the qualifying journey

RESIDENTIAL PROJECT (Gold Award only): LEAVE YOUR COMFORT ZONE

Attend a Residentail Project and undetake purposeful activity with people who you don;t already know.

Most of the NZCF residential training/courses can fall into this section. To meet the criteria of the Residential Project, trainees from the same unit who join the same course must be placed in different syndicates.

Getting started:

Step 1: Decide which level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award programme you would like to do – this will depend on your age, time commitments etc

Step 2: Talk to the Award Leader and arrange to register to do your Award programme

Step 3: Decide with your Award Leader what you are going to do for each section of your Award programme and find an appropriate Assessor who is not a family member

Step 4: Get started! Don’t forget to log your progress on ORB, our online record book, and ask your Assessors to sign off each section as you complete them

Step 5: Once your Award programme is complete, speak to your Award Leader who will arrange for you to receive your certificate or badge. They can also advise you about starting the next level of the Award if appropriate.

How long will it take?

The time it will take to complete your programme and achieve an Award is in many ways down to you. The shortest time in which you can complete your Bronze programme is 6 months; your Silver programme, 6 months; and your Gold programme, 12 months. During your programme you’ll need to do each activity for an average of an hour a week over this time. You can count a maximum of 4 hours every 28 days towards your Award.

Don’t forget – you have until your 25th birthday to complete any programme and achieve an Award!

Find out more…

Talk to your Award Leader to get more information and take a look at https://www.cadetforces.org.nz/