Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) Programmes
Skills, Physical, Expedition and Volunteering Support at SWAC
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programmes are designed to support young people working towards their Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. Delivered in the same professional, supportive style as our school and youth group programmes, these sessions help participants build confidence, resilience and practical skills through high-quality outdoor activity.
All programmes are based at Southampton Water Activities Centre (SWAC) and are led by experienced instructors who understand the aims and requirements of the The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
How We Support DofE Participants
We can support DofE groups, schools and individuals across key sections of the Award:
-
Skills Section – developing practical, transferable abilities
-
Physical Section – improving fitness, wellbeing and confidence
-
Expedition Training – teamwork, preparation and outdoor competence
- Volunteering– Help out at SWAC Sailibility Club, an inclusive, friendly sailing programme designed to enable disabled people to enjoy being on the water.
Programmes can be delivered as one-off sessions, short courses or part of a longer-term DofE plan.
Skills Section Activities
Our water-based skills are ideal for participants looking for something engaging, challenging and different:
-
Dinghy sailing – learning and developing sailing skills over time
-
Powerboating – boat handling, safety awareness and responsibility
-
Paddle sports – kayaking, canoeing or paddleboarding skills
Activities can be structured to meet weekly or monthly participation requirements, with progression and instructor sign-off where appropriate.
Physical Section Activities
For participants choosing a physical activity, our programmes support:
-
Improved fitness, coordination and balance
-
Confidence in an outdoor, dynamic environment
-
Positive mental wellbeing through active learning
Paddle sports and sailing are particularly well suited to sustained physical participation over a DofE timescale.
Expedition Training & Preparation
While expedition routes are organised separately, SWAC provides excellent support for pre-expedition training, including:
-
Teamwork and leadership development
-
Personal responsibility and decision-making
-
Safety awareness and dynamic risk management
-
Working together under instruction and challenge
These sessions complement traditional expedition training by building confidence, self-reliance and group cohesion.
VolunteeringActivities
For participants choosing to volunteer, our programmes support:
-
Helping out at SWAC Sailability Club, Wednesday evenings, May to September
-
Other initiatives that you can propsoe to us to help get anyone afloat who would otherwise not get the opportunity
A Safe, Professional Environment
As with all our school and youth provision, DofE programmes include:
-
Qualified, experienced instructors
-
Industry-standard equipment and safety systems
-
Clear briefings and age-appropriate instruction
-
An inclusive, supportive learning environment
We regularly work alongside schools, youth leaders and DofE coordinators to ensure delivery fits smoothly into existing programmes.
Flexible Delivery
Our DofE support can be tailored to suit:
-
Bronze, Silver or Gold participants
-
School-led or independent DofE groups
-
Half-day, full-day or repeat sessions
-
Small groups or larger cohorts (within supervision limits)
We’re happy to help plan a programme that meets both DofE requirements and your practical constraints.
Practical Information
-
Age range: typically 14–25
-
Location: Southampton Water Activities Centre (SWAC)
-
Season: available year-round, subject to activity and conditions
-
Group size: adapted to activity mix and safety ratios
Enquire About DofE Programmes
If you’re a DofE coordinator, teacher, youth leader or participant looking for Skills, Physical or expedition-support activities, we’d be delighted to help.
Contact SWAC to discuss a bespoke Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme.