The Bridge Award
Requirements | History of The Bridge Award
The Bridge Award is a development program for young people who are
- 11 years 6 months – 14 years, and
- for young people who, due to special circumstances, may experience barriers to participating in The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
Participants may start their Award between the ages of 11 years 6 months and 13 years. Young people may be able to start after 14 years if for some reason they are unable to commence The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Talk to your Licensed Operator or the State Award Office to find out more.
Young people can enter The Bridge Award at either Level 1 or 2, however it is recommended that they begin Level 1 at 12 years and Level 2 at 13 years if they are going to do the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at 14 years.
There are two levels for The Bridge Award.
Level 1 - is about gaining new experiences, acquiring new skills, becoming more confident and achieving greater self-reliance.
Level 2 - gives the opportunity of learning further skills and of cooperating with others. This higher level gives you practical experience and also prepares you for the Bronze level of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
Each of these levels has four sections:
- Service - to develop and encourage service to others
- Skills - to develop personal interests and practical skills
- Physical Recreation - to encourage participation in physical activity and improve fitness
- Adventurous Journey - to encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery
Requirements
| Service
OR: |
Group 1: Visit at least three local social services/facilities for a minimum of five hours |
|---|---|
| Group 2: Undertake a practical community service activity for a minimum of five hours | |
| Adventurous Journey | Prepare and take part in a journey through a local area (usually within one hour's travel from home or facility) for a minimum of four hours' travel over one day |
| Skills | Explore an interest/hobby for at least two months |
| Physical Recreation | Learn and practice a physical activity for a minimum of six hours over a minimum of two weeks |
| Service
OR: |
Group 1: Study and develop further interest in one social service for a minimum of 10 hours |
|---|---|
| Group 2: Undertake a practical community service activity for a minimum of 10 hours | |
| Adventurous Journey | Prepare and take part in a journey through an unfamiliar area (usually beyond one hour's travel from home or facility) for a minimum of four hours' travel per day (average) over two days (eight hours) |
| Skills | Participate in a structured or organised interest/hobby for at least four months |
| Physical Recreation | Participate in a structured or organised physical activity for a minimum of 12 hours over a minimum of four weeks |
History of The Bridge Award
The Bridge Award was developed and introduced in Queensland in 1993 as an initiative of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Queensland Division. The Queensland Division identified a need for a flexible 'stepping stone' to The Duke of Edinburgh's Award that would be more accessible for young people from various backgrounds, ages and with special needs.
Drawing on successful models being used in Victoria and South Australia, which were developed to cater for young people aged 13 or with special needs, Queensland developed The Queensland Bridge Award as a versatile new program for young Queenslanders.
The Queensland Bridge Award has been enthusiastically embraced by Queenslanders since its establishment and has proved a flexible and alternative Award program for young people aged 11 years and 6 months to 14 or who have special needs.
Last updated: Thursday 5 April 2007
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