7 female students from the Olomouc Region received their Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) bronze and silver awards in Olomouc on 16 June 2022. They receive this award after graduating from the program, which originated in Great Britain and was founded 66 years ago by Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II. The award ceremony took place in the premises of the Emanuel Pötting Secondary Medical School and Higher Vocational School of Health in Olomouc.
Olomouc Region joined the supporters of the programme DofE in May 2021 and since then the number of participating organisations in the region has grown to 9. Organisations established by the county can draw financial support from the county under a memorandum of cooperation. "I am delighted that a number of our secondary schools have joined the DofE. When I was first approached with the offer to run the DofE in our county, I was most interested in volunteering and getting involved in the community. Each young person can choose an area that interests them - going into a children's home, a retirement home, helping the fire service, etc - it's up to them," He told Councillor for Education Aleš Jakubec in his speech at the ceremony.
Among the awardees were students from the Let's Help Children Live Better Foundation, from the Secondary Vocational School in Šumperk, or from the Jan Opletal Gymnasium in Litovel. Natálie Mičunková, student of the Secondary Vocational School of Agriculture in Šumperk, DofE, she took up rock climbing, cooking and helped her teacher with tutoring pupils in distance learning. She comments on her experience saying: "I started the DofE with an enthusiasm that never left me until the end. I enjoyed everything and the expedition was an amazing final experience with a great group." The excitement of the final expedition is shared by Aneta Pavlatová, student of the Jan Opletal Gymnasium in Litovel, who has been working on fitness, cooking and horse care as part of the DofE: "The overall experience with the program taught me regularity of activities and perseverance, but the most interesting for me was the final expedition. Often during the expedition we surpassed ourselves. It was an experience we will never forget.."
DofE Executive Director in the Czech Republic Tomáš Vokáč stresses the importance of stepping out of the comfort zone to which young people are exposed through participation in the programme: "Stepping out of their comfort zone, whether on an outdoor expedition or committing to volunteering, is what pushes young people further. Thank you to all the teachers and mentors in the Olomouc region who dedicate time to developing young people in their spare time."
About the Duke of Edinburgh International Award (DofE)
The programme has 3 levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold, and is open to any student or pupil aged 13 up to 24 years. Depending on the chosen level, the program lasts 6, 12 or 18 months. The programme has been running in the Czech Republic for 26 years and involves more than 300 primary and secondary schools, children's homes and sports clubs. The programme involves young people from a wide social spectrum. Participants choose activities and goals in three areas - skills, movement, volunteering. They then work regularly on their chosen goals. The fourth area is a team expedition in nature, which always has a specific purpose.
If you are interested in further information, please contact Nikola Zamcova, DofE Communications Manager (nikola.zamcova@dofe.cz, 725 430 298).
