As one of the premier Duke of Edinburgh expedition providers, Social Nature Movement is dedicated to offering comprehensive DOFE training that ensures participants are fully prepared for their adventures. The skills gained from the Duke of Edinburgh Award are invaluable, encompassing a wide range of personal, social, and practical abilities that benefit individuals throughout their lives. Our programs are designed to challenge and support participants, fostering resilience, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership skills. By engaging in our carefully structured expeditions, young people not only achieve their Duke of Edinburgh Award but also embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, equipped with the skills and confidence to face future challenges.
The DofE award Duke of Ed Practice Qualifier International Hillary Award is an international developmental award launched over 60 years ago with more than 130 countries and over 8 million people having adventurously journeyed.
The International Hillary Award DofE adventurous journey can take place on land or water. The team can travel by their own efforts (foot, cycle, paddle) with non-motorised means (tramping, cycling, mountain biking, stand up paddle (SuP) boarding, sea kayaking, dragon boating, rafting, multisport kayak, alpine mountaineering, boogie boarding and more…).
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an internationally recognized developmental program that offers young people the opportunity to challenge themselves and develop important life skills. Social Nature Movement is proud to be one of the approved Duke of Edinburgh expedition providers and to offer training, planning, and practice for those working towards the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award requirements and Duke of Edinburgh Award NZ wide.
Our experienced instructors lead Duke of Edinburgh NZ adventurous journeys through New Zealand’s breathtaking natural environments, using human-powered movement such as hiking, cycling, and paddle boarding. This allows participants to not only push themselves physically, but also gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the world around them.
At Social Nature Movement, we believe in the transformative power of the Duke of Edinburgh Award and are dedicated to helping young people unlock their full potential through this program. Whether you’re wondering “Where can I do Duke of Edinburgh Award?” or simply wanting to know “What is the Duke of Edinburgh Award?”, we are here to support and guide you on your journey.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary AwardUsing New Zealand’s breathtaking natural environments as the classroom, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award offers young Kiwis an incredible opportunity to develop themselves, gain life-skills, and forge lasting friendships.
About the Duke of Edinburgh award levelsOpen to anyone aged 14–24, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award includes three levels – Bronze, Silver and Gold.
Students can enrol for the Bronze award around year 10, progress to Silver around year 11, and go on to Gold around year 12. They have until their 25th birthday to complete all three stages.
Bronze: two days and one night,
Silver: three days and two nights,
Gold: four days and three nights. What SNM offers for DofEAs approved activity providers for The Duke of Edinburgh Award, we create a fun, safe and engaging environment that encourages students to stretch themselves and embrace purposeful growth. From training and planning sessions through to practice and qualifying journeys, we support students through every stage of the Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. And our highly qualified International Hillary Award DofE instructors keep participants interested and motivated, so they can move to the next level with confidence.
What is The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award?Open to anyone aged 14-24, The Duke of Edinburgh Award includes three levels (Bronze, Silver & Gold) and four sections. Skills, Service, Physical Recreation and an Adventurous Journey. At Gold level, participants also complete a Residential Project.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award equips young people for life and work, because not all learning happens in classrooms. Young people design their own International Hillary Award DofE, set goals and record personal progress. We facilitate opportunities for participants to stretch themselves and track their growth.
Proven to transform the lives of millions of young people, will you join the International Hillary Award DofE ?
What is an Adventurous Journey?The opportunity to engage in adventurous activities in a new environment provides participants with the chance to learn more about their wider environment, as well as develop their self-confidence, teamwork and health. The Adventurous Journey section of the International Hillary Award DofE aims to take young people out of their comfort zone but within a safe and secure setting achieved through suitable training and supervision.
The aim is to encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery whilst undertaking a journey in a group.
Duke of Edinburgh EthosThis section of the International Hillary Award DofE seeks to provide participants with a unique, challenging and memorable experience. The venture, with an agreed purpose, should be undertaken in a small team in an unfamiliar environment, requiring determination, physical effort, perseverance and co-operation to complete. The key elements of this section are teamwork in planning and undertaking a journey against the background of the real challenges posed by an unfamiliar environment. The environment chosen should be challenging but within the capabilities of the team.
History of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary AwardThe Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award was founded in 1956 by Prince Philip, Kurt Hahn (German educationalist) and Lord Hunt (leader of the first successful ascent of Everest).
Their idea was about developing youth and initially available only to boys, then two years later great demands launched a female intake.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award has been running in New Zealand since 1963. Today, the Award has expanded to target anyone wanting to develop themselves.
Who delivers The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award in Auckland and New Zealand?Delivered in New Zealand by licensed organisations like us, we are Approved Activity Providers for The Award.
Social Nature Movement provides Adventurous Journeys by Tramping, Sea Kayaking, Stand up Paddle (SuP) boarding and Packrafting.
If tramping, journeys must be on formed tracks and those tracks should be in-line with the Department of Conservations (DoC) Walking track categories: Bronze = ‘easy’, Silver = ‘ intermediate’, Gold = ‘advanced’. ‘expert’ at SNM’s and DoE’s discretion.
Are you a school wanting to partner with SNM?Social Nature Movement facilitates The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme as an extra-curricular activity. Students may enrol for the Bronze Award around Year 10, progress to Silver around Year 11 and Gold around Year 12. Although they do have until their 25th birthday to finish.
Social Nature Movement provides all parts of the Adventurous Journey, led by our skilled, knowledgeable and experienced staff. We have trained in many locations throughout New Zealand and have qualified International Hillary Award DofE staff able to go almost anywhere you need!
As accredited providers, we facilitate all stages and all levels of The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme as an extra-curricular activity with your school.
With a deep pool of qualified guides that have trained in many locations throughout New Zealand, we have the experience and flexibility to provide the award almost anywhere. So, whether you’ve got a group of 1 or 100 students, we can help.
How does The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award work?Activities happen under guidance of our Award Leader who manages the Duke of Edinburgh Award. They will supervise, discuss, encourage and motivate participants to reach their goals.
Our assessors – who have relevant knowledge, skills and experiences – help participants with each section of their Duke of Edinburgh Award. Once participants meet the International Hillary Award DofE requirements, Social Nature Movement writes a short report and signs their Online Record Book (ORB).
To start your Duke of Edinburgh Award, register here
International Duke of Edinburgh GroupsWe manage everything for your Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and completing the Adventurous Journey and Residential sections.
If you are undertaking an International Adventurous Journey, the relevant International Hillary Award DofE section is 8.17 and found on pages 99 – 102. For more information, click here…
We can host many Intaward groups from around the world. Contact us for an itinerary specific to your group.
Private Duke of Edinburgh JourneysWe cater for individual and unique needs. To book a private International Hillary Award DofE journey or for more information; contact us, we will help!
Custom Duke of Edinburgh ExplorationsWe are always innovating futuristic explorations to acquire skills, knowledge and experiences. If you want to explore by walking, cycling, kayaking or anything else then you have explored the best company! To customise your curiosity or for more information; contact us, we will help!
NCEA credits for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award participantsNZQA NCEA credits Social Nature Movement The Duke of Edinburgh’s (DoE) International Hillary Award Adventurous Journey Auckland New Zealand NZ Bronze Silver Gold International Award Training Practice Qualifier Qualifying Journey dofehillary
Benefits of the Duke of Edinburgh Award• Working as part of a team
• Understanding group dynamics, the participant’s own role and
the role of others in a team
• Enhancing leadership skills
• Improving planning and organisational ability, and attention
to detail
• Learning to make real decisions and accept real consequences
• Obtaining a sense of achievement and satisfaction by
overcoming challenges and obstacles
• Developing self-reliance and independence
• Experiencing and appreciating the outdoor environment
• Gaining the appropriate knowledge and skills to journey safely
in that environment
• Exercising imagination and creativity by choosing their
own journey
• Improving their investigating, reviewing and presentational skills
• Enjoyment
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Promoting excellence in outdoor instruction and guiding through qualifications for professionals since 1987. Our instructors can organise, instruct and lead multisport kayaking on flat water and moving water up to and including class II. Our team have awards in both whitewater and multisport instruction.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a youth awards programme founded in the United Kingdom in 1956 by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, that has since expanded to 144 nations.
EONZ is a national professional organisation leading, supporting & influencing education outside the classroom (EOTC) and education outdoors in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Effecting change to prevent abuse and neglect. Child Matters works with all sectors including professionals, community organisations, families and whānau, to deliver training, provide advice regarding policy and procedures, and recommend resources regarding child protection issues.
AdventureMark™ is New Zealand’s largest adventure certification body. They work with over 200 operators here in New Zealand and in several countries worldwide providing our health and safety audit and adventure certification services across the globe.
