The German Youth Award: Unlocking Potential and Empowering Young People

1. Das Internationale Jugendprogramm There is more in you than you think!

2. What is the German Youth Award? It is the sin of the soul to force young people into opinions – indoctrination is of the devil – but it is culpable neglect not to impel young people into experiences.(Kurt Hahn) The Award’s aim is to provide an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development for young people, which is of the highest quality and the widest reach.(Mission)

3. Hahn: Four Declines and Antidotes (Sections) • Decline of Fitness due to modern methods of locomotion [moving about]: Physical Recreation • Decline of Initiative and Enterprise due to the widespread disease of spectatoritis: Expeditions • Decline of Skill and Care due to the weakened tradition of craftsmanship: Skills • Decline of Compassion due to the unseemly haste with which modern life is conducted: Service

4. Key principles • Non-competitive. Each participant's programme is tailor-made to reflect the individual starting point, abilities and interests. • Available to all. With a commitment to equal opportunities, the Award is available to all young people who choose to take up its challenge. • Voluntary. Young people make a free choice to enter the programme and commit their own time to undertake the activities. • Flexible. Young people design their own programme. They may enter for whichever level of Award best suits them, and may take as long as they wish to complete an Award. • Balanced. By choosing activities in each of the different Sections participants undertake a balanced and wide ranging programme. • Progressive. At each level, the Award Programme demands more time and an increasing degree of commitment and responsibility. • Achievement focused. Before starting an activity, young people are encouraged to set their own goals. If they aim for those goals and show improvement, they will achieve their Award. • Marathon not a sprint. The Award demands persistence and commitment and cannot be completed in a short burst of enthusiasm. Participants may want to continue with activities beyond the minimum time requirements set out for each level of the Award. • Personal development. The Award is a programme of personal and social development. The value to young people is dependent on personal commitment, the learning process and the quality of the experience. • Enjoyable. Young people and helpers should find participation enjoyable and satisfying.

5. Benefits for young people • self-belief • a sense of identity • a sense of responsibility • the ability to plan and use time effectively • skills including problem solving, presentation and communication • self-confidence • independence • an understanding of strengths and weaknesses • an awareness of their potential • new relationships • the ability to lead and work as part of a team • the ability to learn from and give to others in the community

6. Award History Kurt Hahn Salem/Gordonstoun County Badge 1938 The Duke of Edinburgh‘s Award 1956 Outward Bound 1941 The International Award for Young People 1988 United World Colleges 1967 Das Internationale Jugendprogramm 1996

7. Service Section: Basics • Aim: To encourage service to individuals and to the community. • Minimum time requirements: • Bronze: 15 hours,spread over 3 months • Silver: 30 hours,spread over 6 months • Gold: 60 hours,spread over 12 months. • Process: • Initial briefing • Training • Practical service • Final review.

8. Service Section: Selected Options • People in the Community • Environmental Service • Emergency Services • Fundraising • Rescue Service • Safety Training • Sports Leadership / Coaching • Youth Work

9. Expeditions Section: Basics • Aim:To encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery by preparing for and carrying out an adventurous journey as part of a Team. • Qualifying Expedition requirements: • Bronze: 2 days, minimum of 6 hours planned activity each day • Silver: 3 days, minimum of 7 hours planned activity each day • Gold: 4 days, minimum of 8 hours planned activity each day • Process: • Preparation and Training • Practice Journeys • Qualifying Venture and Debrief • Review and Presentation.

10. Expeditions Section: Options Types of Venture: • Bronze: Expedition • Silver: Expedition or Exploration • Gold: Expedition, Exploration or (18+) Other Adventurous Projects. Modes of Travelling: • Walking • Cycling • Horse Riding • Canoeing • Rowing • Sailing

11. Skills Section: Basics • Aim: To encourage the discovery and development of practical and social skills and personal interests. • Minimum time requirements: • Bronze: 6 months • Silver: 12 months (Direct entrant), 6 months (Bronze Award Holder) • Gold: 18 months (Direct entrant), 12 months (Silver Award Holder) • Process: • Initial Briefing • Monitoring Progress • Final review.

12. Skills Section: Options (groups) • Collections, Studies and Surveys • Communications • Crafts • Graphic Arts • Life Skills • Music • Nature • Needlecrafts • Recreative Skills

13. Physical Recreation Section: Basics • Aim: To encourage participation and improvement in physical activity. • Minimum time requirements: • Bronze: 3 months • Silver: 4 months • Gold: 5 months. • Process: • Initial Briefing • Monitoring Progress • Final review.

14. Physical Recreation Section: Selected Options • Athletics, e.g. Running • Dancing & Cheerleading • Fitness • Gymnastics, e.g. Aerobic • Martial arts, e.g. Karate • Racquet sports, e.g. Tennis • Physical Water Activities like Diving, Paddling, Rowing, Sailing, Swimming, Windsurfing etc. • Team games, e.g. Football • Others like Bowling, Cycling, Fencing, Inline Skating, Horse Riding, Rock Climbing, Skateboard, Skiing

15. Award System International Award Association National Award Authority Operating Authority Award Unit Award Participant

16. Local Award Network Clubs Parents Associations Emergency Services other Award Units Schools Award Unit Individuals Youth Groups Ad-hoc Projects Youth Councils Homes & Day Cares Education Centres Companies Commercial Providers

17. Commitment to participants • To take part in an Award which is held in high regard by the general public. • A supportive and positive environment. • Relevant and up-to-date information and advice. • Guidance on finding necessary resources. • Safe and appropriate training and assessment. • Recognition of their success and achievements. • Freedom of choice allowing them to select the activities they wish to pursue. • Equal Opportunities. • To be involved in the planning, decision-making and reviewing of their experience. • Opportunities to develop personal and social skills. • Supportive evaluation and feedback.