I enrolled for my Gold award in 2016 on my 16th birthday and completed and passed it in 2018. I completed the award with some friends in my Explorer unit. I was in a football team and used this for my physical section. I had drumming lessons and used this for my Skill section. I did volunteering in my groups cub pack. For our expedition we did a 4 day, 3 night expedition in the Yorkshire Dales in Aug 2018. It was very challenging but I enjoyed it very much. I improved my walking and navigation skills and well as teamwork. My residential was done through the NCS scheme. I spent a week in the Lake District learning many skills such gill scrambling, abseiling, canoeing etc. I made some new friends and enjoyed the experience. My gold award helped me to get an unconditional offer to university. I chose London for my GAP presentation and went to Buckingham Palace Gardens in May 2019. It hit me then how very proud of myself I was and I was proud to show I was a member of scouting. The Countess of Wessex even spoke to my Mum. Doing the DOfE was the best thing I have ever done and I am very grateful to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh for creating this scheme all those years ago