What does the Silver Award entail?
The Duke of Edinburgh Award believes that not all learning happens in the classroom, where their aim is to help equip young Canadians aged 14-24 for success in life. By recognizing all of the amazing things young people can do and learn outside the boundaries of formal education, the Award empowers them to discover hidden talents, develop untapped leadership potential, make a difference in their community and explore the wonders of the great outdoors.
The personal journey to earn the Award requires young people to look beyond their comfort zone and tap in to their sense of discovery. Participants set and achieve personal goals in activities they want to experience and develop, making each Award a unique journey. Simply put, they design a blueprint to transform their lives and we support them each step of the way.
You must be at least 15 years old to begin Silver or have completed the Bronze level. This level has 4 sections. You must demonstrate an ongoing and consistent commitment in Service, Skill and Physical Recreation for an average of 1 hour a week for 26 weeks. An additional 26 weeks on a section of your choice is required for Direct Entrants (participant who have not completed the Bronze level). The Adventurous Journey is 3 days and 2 nights. It takes a minimum of 26 weeks to achieve the Silver level for those who are Bronze Award holders or 52 weeks for those who go directly into Silver.
Duke of Edinburgh Silver Level Award at Bark Lake
Preliminary Training, Practice Journey & Qualifying Journey
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Duration: 5 days,4 nights
Working within the Duke of Edinburgh program guidelines; participants are challenged to lead their own out trip experience. In the silver program participants are held to higher expectations, and often have more prior knowledge of out-trip routine. Bark Lake Facilitators will work with the participants to review trip routine, route and menu planning as well as safety protocols and procedures, however on the trip itself participants are expected to lead the experience. Canoeing, hiking or snowshoeing participants will embark on an overnight practice journey to apply their skills before heading out on their adventurous Journey. On this journey participants will choose their own menu, route and ultimately create their own experience for a 2 night, 3 day expedition. This program meets the required guidelines to complete the Adventurous Journey portion of the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award.
Adventurous Journey Requirements that can be covered at Bark Lake:
- Team Building and Leadership Training
- Cooking & Menu Planning
- Route Planning
- First Aid & Emergency Planning
- Safety Precaution & Emergency Planning
- Navigation: Map Reading, Compass Work
- Necessary Equipment & How to Use it
- Site Selection
- Competency in the Mode of Travel
- Other Expedition Training that is required
These requirements can customized to meet the needs of your group.
The Bark Lake Advantage
What could be better than taking your participants on an educational adventure and making memories which will last a lifetime? Bark Lake’s 500 acres of Canadian wilderness and access to 2,000 acres of crown land, forests, marshes, and bogs; is the perfect backdrop for these memories to be made. Our comprehensive risk management plan, certified facilitators and campsite proximity to our main site, provide peace of mind while enjoying your camping experience at Bark Lake.
Accommodations
At the end of the day it’s important to have a place to rest. We have a wide range of options and prices to meet your needs. During your time here participants will be spending 2 nights on our site in one of our many accommodations and 3 nights at a campsite, sleeping in tents, on and off site.
Site Tours and Information Sessions
Don’t take our word for it; let Bark Lake speak for itself. We would love to give you a personal tour of our site, or come to you and explain why we are so passionate about this program. Please contact us to arrange a visit.
