A halt

So my D of E campaign has ground to an embarrassing halt for the moment! On Monday I swam 66 lengths of the pool (25m), and then decided I would try and improve by two lengths on each visit. However, I went for a swim on Wednesday to find I could only manage 50 lengths in the same time and same pool! Now, my reason is this; I was really tired for an unknown reason, and hadn't got much sleep, plus I only had a very small breakfast. Also, it was a lot busier than Monday, so I couldn't swim at my pace; the slow lane was just too slow, and I got glares every time I took over someone, and the medium lane was too fast, and I was pushed to exhaustion!!! So that is my excuse; though I am going to go tomorrow and hopefully regain my lost swimming territory. On other aspects, I still don't have my Grade 8 violin results back, and I am still working towards my grade 7 piano exam. We are going to talk about my expedition tonight,and hopefully I can report back with news on that. And finally, I still haven't actually been registered by the D of E register person, so hopefully she'll get around to doing that soon. That's all for now folks!

Skills (Swimming)

So, I started the skill section today with swimming. I haven't swum properly for around a year, and so I was a bit worried about what to expect!!! However, it turned out really well. I managed 66 lengths in a 25m pool (1650m) in an hour. I was quite proud, but had jelly legs when I got out! I then got the progress sheet (I'll put a link up to it in a future blog) signed off and decided to return on wednesday for an hour, hoping to acheive 68 lengths. The whole point of the D of E is progress, and so I will try to improve by two lengths each time I go for a swim. It is quite a challenge, as after a year I could be expected to do 150 lengths in an hour!!
In other news, I've had a bit of trouble with the residential area of the course; apparently you have to go with people you DON'T know, and I have been on the orchestra course a few times now!! Well, another update will be coming shortly. Have a nice day.

Expedition, Expedition, Expedition

One major concern for me is where to do the expedition, making sure I follow the expedition rules, and getting enough people to come along for a 5 day, 4 night stint. The D of E website (http://www.dofe.org/go/Gold/) gives lots of suggestions, as well s a kit list, expectations, emergency requirements etc... but I don't know where to go!!! Had a thought about the Brecon Beacons, but they seem a bit dull. Scotland seems good as well, but then again a bit too cold and wet. It's so difficult; especially as you have to camp, find food and drink, toilets (and that's another thing- toilets! I must find real toilets on the route- I can't go 5 days without a REAL toilet!). Anyway, I'm going to do some more research, and will update later.

Why do the D of E- part TWO!

Volunteering
“Employers and universities recognise the value of having people who have a life away from their job.  This is where the DofE comes in, it's now become the leading Award for young people to demonstrate they have interests outside of everyday life.  Volunteering gives you a chance to make a difference to others and to their community.  I believe that you'll find your voluntary work will increase your confidence and self-esteem and give you new skills. I would advise you all to embrace volunteering opportunities; it's a great way to collect extra experience that could give you the edge at a college, university or job interview."- Ben Fogle (TV presenter and silver D of E holder)


 Physical Recreation
“Playing for the local football team really helped me get fit – and I watch what I eat now (less crisps!) so I have the energy to keep going for 90 minutes!  I’ve enjoyed learning about game strategies too and it’s my challenge to make sure I get picked for the first team every week." George (D of E participant)

 Expedition
“…We depended solely on everyone working as one.  We had very low points, but when we had highs, they were exceptionally high…I still keep in touch with my team…  this has to be one of the best things I have done…" Tim (D of E participant) 

Skills
“I learned so much…the tutors were such talented musician.  The highlight was taking part in the ‘Proms in the Park’ celebrations which was televised live." Dipak (Gold award holder)   

Residential (Gold award only)
“Before I went to India on my residential, I was told by a few people that it would be a life-changing experience.  At the time I didn’t believe them, but now I have returned, my perspectives on everyday life have been changed.  Our experiences at the Goodwill Village especially allowed me to grow as a person, gaining confidence and experiencing new sensations that very few people ever get to experience." Hannah (D of E participant)  

The biscuit dunking premiere league

As I said in the last post, 'Why do the D of E?', there will be a mixture of everyday posts, D of E progress posts, and other posts inspiring other people to undertake the D of E award. So here is my 'Everyday' post. I have started a biscuit dunking premiere league- as I love tea, and I love biscuits. Over the next few months, I will score biscuits out of 10 in sogginess, taste and dunking quality, so you can find out which biscuit you should have in your tea/coffee! The contenders: The Rich Tea Biscuit, Digestives, Jaffa Cakes, Bourbon Creams, Custard Creams, Oat Biscuit and the Milk biscuit (don't know its real name!). The scores go from 1(Very bad) to 10 (very good) and overall it is out of 30. Without further ado, lets bring Rich Tea to the table (or tea, if you prefer).
So, my scores are: Sogginess: Hmm, it depends on the amount of time. For just a  few seconds I will award it with a 5, but any longer than that and it crumbles, so overall I will give it a 3 for sogginess. Taste: I personally like the taste of Rich Tea biscuits, although it is plain, so I will give it a 7. Finally, Dunking Quality: It is good for dunking, not too big like digestives, HOWEVER, it is very crumbly and mushy and falls apart after just a few seconds. Score= 6. Overall, I have awarded Rich Tea with 16/30, which puts it in first place for now; but for how long?? Find out soon, when I test the Digestives, in the biscuit dunking premiere league, or what I like to vall, the BDPL. Why not have a go yourself, and use biscuit dunking as your skill in your D of E?

Why do the D of E??

Whilst trying to get used to my new blog (this is my first ever blog-as you may have noticed!), I will be mixing between everyday posts, posts about my progress, and posts about why YOU (If you are over 16 but under 25, or if you have children under 25) should also do the D of E gold award. The website (http://www.dofe.org) is a one-stop haven of information about the award- it gives suggestions, ideas, tips and knowledge, as well as reviews on other D of E activities. I researched why I should undertake the D of E challenge, and I thought I should let you know:
-From the first day to the last, it will be a real adventure. Each different section gives you something new to have a go at.
-You will challenge yourself, discover new talents you never knew you had and make lifelong friends
-The sense of acheivement when you receive the award, and all the amazing discoveries you will make on the way
-You get recognition for doing things you enjoy and actually want to do
-You can help make a difference to peoples lives and the community around you
-Above all, its a great laugh and a life-changing experience

So, with all those great options listed above, why don't you have a go at your own D of E award?? Find out more at http://www.dofe.org.

The spark!!!

So, what was the reason for me beginning the D of E gold award?? Now, before I start, I really should say this; I can't spell Edinburgh without having to ask my Dad for the spelling! So I will be calling the award the 'D of E' throughout this  blog. So, what was the spark behind me starting the D of E gold award? Well, I go to explorer scouts in Oxford (Angelmead- the best explorer scout unit in the country!), and a member of the D of E committee was invited to speak on the topic. We were told all about the D of E (while I will explain fully in a second), and how we could apply and what we needed to do. I realised that for most sections I already had something that I could use, such as violin and piano lessons in the skills zone. For this reason, I decided I could skip Bronze and Silver and go straight to Gold award. So, what is invloved in the D of E gold award? Well...

• Volunteering (12 months)- You need to volunteer for 12 months- maybe at a youth centre, supporting a local primary school reading scheme or even becoming a D of E leader. I help usher at my local theatre, so I will be using this. However, I may start up a different one as well, such as helping at Beavers or Cubs!
• Skills (12 months)- "You can learn completely new skills or develop existing talents"- From cooking, jewellery making and drama classes, to playing an instrument, storm chasing or chess. In my opinion, this seems to be one of the most interesting sections. I will be doing the instrument part (I'm on grade 8 violin and grade 5 piano, so I will be aiming for diploma and grade 7 respectively). I may also take up keeping tropical fish, which is also classed as a skill!
• Physical recreation (12 months)- This is better for the sporty types in the country- not really me! "You can join a team or do it on your own- just make sure you choose something you enjoy". Suggestions range from Extreme Ironing (which sounds awesome--but just not for me!) to ultimate frisbee, bowling, self-defence classes or Scuba diving. I used to play hockey for a team, but I think I'm going to do swimming for my physical recreation- I actually acheived my 1500m award (they call it the 'mile') a few years back, but I stopped swimming since then. I hope to take it back up as a weekly venture. 
• Expedition (4 days, 3 nights)- For a person who has been in scouting for 10 years, this is one of the most exciting parts of the D of E, and the one I am most looking forward to. "Highs, lows, great laughs and incredible experiences" "Working as a team with your mates, away from adults, your planning, initiative, spirit of adventure and teamwork will be put to the test". The D of E booklet suggests walking, cycling, sailing, canoeing, wildlife pictures whilst canoeing in Sweden, a challenging route undertaken on a wheelchair in the Peak distric or even sailing across the English channel <-- maybe too adventurous for me! Instead, I think we will plan to go to the Brecon Beacons on a WW2 plan crash trek, or maybe something abroad! Just need to find the team first!
• And finally... a residential (5 days and 4 nights)- I am also looking forward to this, but I go on planned trips with my touring orchestra. However, the D of E booklet suggests helping out on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, or monitoring turtle populations in Costa Rica! 

Overall, the D of E gold award is a lot of work. It will take at least a year to do, probably a bit longer! However, it is all worthwhile, and it is apparently one of the first things that University's look for after seeing the grades! All you need is;
-Patience
-The want to improve in skills and physical rec
-And overall the determination to get the award.


Let's hope I've got those skills!!. Here I go...