DofE Q&A


DofE participants are always thinking up new ways to do their programmes, creating challenging questions for DofE Leaders to answer. Here are some of our most frequently asked questions from the past few months; you can find more Q&As on DofE.org/faq.


Skills Q


A Residential


Q A


Is pony driving a Physical section activity? No, it is a skill. To be able to drive a carriage the driver needs to have a basic understanding of how to start, stop and steer the carriage. In addition, they would need to understand how to use some driving aids, such as the reins, whip and voice.


Q A


Is motocross included in the Skills section of Bronze programmes?


Most motorised activity falls under the Skills section. However, due to the substantial physical element of motocross and supercross, both of these activities can count as a Physical section activity. Learning to ride a motorbike and motorbike


maintenance is a skill.


What does the term ‘shared activity’ mean? A shared activity is one undertaken by all of the participants together, each achieving the same aims and having the same experience. It would not include working alongside those doing their paid job, nor teaching a group of younger people, as they will be on a different residential experience. Participants can be of any age but all must be sharing the same activity. Example 1: The participant is going to stay for a week at a bird sanctuary where they will be working alongside paid staff and seasonal volunteers counting and ringing birds. They will be sleeping in the bunk house with the other volunteers for the week. This residential would not count as they are the only volunteer undertaking a residential experience – the other volunteers are there for the season and already know each other and working together as a team. Example 2: The participant is going to an outdoor activity centre to work alongside paid staff and regular volunteers to provide support to disabled children for an activity week. There are five additional volunteers attending for the week as well as you. They will all be sleeping in the same cottage and the group of six will work together as a team to support the young people. This residential would count as there are at least five people sharing the activity and working together. The staff and regular volunteers, and the young people attending the activity week, are not counted in these numbers.


DofE Magazine Issue 29: SPRING 2018 Expedition


Q A


What advice should I give my teams about sources of water to avoid? Teams need to be aware that drinking poor quality water can lead to sickness and diarrhoea. Canals, ponds and water from streams and rivers are not safe sources of drinking water as they could be contaminated from matter further upstream. Teams should also avoid using water from non-drinking water taps that are often found on camp sites and farms.


Physical


Q A


Q A


Is wakeboarding a Physical or a Skills section activity? This is classed as a Physical section activity as its roots are in both windsurfing/surfing and ski sports – all of which are Physical section activities.


Is Airsoft a Physical or a Skills section activity? War games like Airsoft, paintballing and so on are all Physical section activities.


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