¶ Additional Opportunities
¶ 🔍 Overview
Hey! I like to keep an eye out for excellent opportunities for youth members! I will update them as needed. Have a look and decide if you want to do them! If you have one you'd like me to add, please feel free to email me with the details, and I'll think about it. These opportunities are not as well advertised either; they offer excellent benefits to youth members.
¶ 🥾 Outward Bound Trust
The Outward Bound Trust is an educational charity that pushes you out of your comfort zone, breaking down personal barriers and discovering the best version of yourself. Help discover what you love by taking part in this incredible journey. This outdoor adventure will help you make new friends and have a ton of fun in the process! Your phones will not compare to this!
📌 Age? 13-22 years old! This depends on the programme you choose.
📌 Location? There are six Outward Bound centres located across the UK. Choose one that you prefer!
📌 Length? Choose the programme you want! From Basecamp (5 days) to Pinnacle (19 days), the sky's the limit!
📌 Cost? It depends on what programme you choose, but there is a bursary scheme!
Check out what they do here!
Tip: This counts as part of your DofE Gold Residential!
¶ 🎓 Cadet Vocational College
The Cadet Vocational College is an educational charity which offers vocational qualifications to young people who are part of a uniformed youth organisation. They help to recognise young people's achievements in qualifications which are nationally recognised. It makes sense; your Scouts or CCF badges don't mean anything on paper. With a qualification, they follow accredited standards, meaning your achievements are worth the paper it's printed on!
The Cadet Vocational College offers the Pearson BTEC Level 2 in Teamwork and Personal Development in the Community in either an Extended Certificate or Diploma (the diploma is more complicated to achieve!).
Use your youth organisational achievements (e.g., DofE Bronze) as evidence for BTEC credits (called RPL). For further information regarding RPL, check this page. For further information, see this link. There's no reason to consider against this scheme!
Note: Your organisation may not run this scheme. If not, ask them to. My youth organisation considered my suggestion, and now it's running!
📌 Age? 16-18 years old!
📌 Location? You can do it wherever you want in the UK. You only need to be part of a uniformed youth group (i.e. Scouts, CCF, SJA Cadets, etc.)
📌 Length? It can take up to one year to complete. If you spend your time on it, you can do it in less!
📌 Cost? This qualification is FREE! There's no cost to learners; you can't complain about that! You'd have to pay £1300 if it wasn't free.
After completing the BTEC, consider applying for the Westminster Award competition! (ILM Level 3 and 10-day conservation project).
¶ 👤 DofE Ambassador
