The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities, designed to support the personal and social development of young people aged 14-24, regardless of gender, background and ability. It offers an individual challenge and encourages young people to undertake exciting, constructive, challenging and enjoyable activities in their free time. The Award comprises three levels, bronze, silver and gold, all of which must be completed by the participant's 25th birthday. The Award includes four sections, physical recreation, skill, community service and the adventurous journey for all levels and an additional residential project for the gold level.
BSD is an Independent Award Centre (IAC) for the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award. Our IAC is run by a team of qualified staff members who make sure that the Award is delivered to the international standards. In addition to the Award qualified team, a number of staff members volunteer to help supervise and assess the different sections of the Award. Students can complete their physical activity section by joining one of our ASA sporting programmes, they can learn a new skill at one of the many clubs offered for our extracurricular activities, and they have the opportunity to engage in many areas of community service offered at school. In addition the Award team prepares the students for the adventurous journey by organising camps and trips. Every year, there is a boot camp at the Dhahran Campus targeting fresh entrants, followed by two practice camps in Kingdom and eventually the qualifying trip which is held abroad.
Students are encouraged to join the Award programme as soon as they turn 14. The Award programme is presented at he start of the year in an assembly followed up by a parents information evening. The details of the Award, the practices and the yearly trips are presented then.