By Nate Levy '26 Whether hiking through alpine forests, debating international policy in Europe, or learning a new skill with a family member, WPGA students are embracing the challenge of the
Duke of Edinburgh's International Award.
Hello, parents and students! I'm Nate Levy, a grade 11 student at WPGA, and I'm thrilled to be teaching you about this Award. I'm genuinely passionate about it, and it shows. As the school's Award representative, I've enjoyed watching students build and add to their identity through this program. I may have a bit of personal bias. I'm admittedly biased, and this might sound like I'm pitching a business idea (sorry!), but that's only because I truly believe in the value for students of getting involved in this Award and the community as a whole.
So, what makes the Award so special—and why should you take part?
Young people between 14 and 24 years old participate in the globally recognized Award program to pursue growth opportunities through practical engagements. The program uses Bronze, Silver, and Gold as its advancing stages. Students progress to higher levels, which makes them explore new interests while dedicating themselves to long-term objectives and advancing meaningful social contributions. Within each level, students complete four key components: Voluntary Service, Physical Recreation, Skills, and—a personal favourite—the Adventurous Journey. They log the hours spent on each activity, and once they've completed enough to meet the requirements for a section, they move one step closer to earning their Award level. At the Gold level, students also complete a fifth component: the Gold Project, a five-day residential experience that pushes participants to step outside their usual environment and comfort zone.
Now, what are some everyday examples of each of these categories here at WPGA?
Grade 9 students completed their Adventurous Journey category during outdoor education at Manning Park, where they undertook outdoor tasks in British Columbia's remote backcountry trail areas. At Manning Park, students built essential resilience skills and teamwork aptitude, which strengthened their confidence. These students marked their first significant achievement toward Bronze level completion, which brought to mind how nature creates personal transformation. Through wilderness experiences, these students learned active participation in outdoor sports and how to connect with friends in a technology-free environment.
There are endless possibilities for the following three categories (voluntary service, skills, and physical activity). My favourite thing is that it doesn't need to be something extreme. For example, you don't have to play for Team Canada rugby to satisfy your physical activity, and you don't have to be a global singing phenomenon to meet your skill requirements. It's highly achievable and doesn't have to be competitive. Moreover, students often do activities that would work for these categories, which means they're rewarded for something they already do. For example, here are some current students and what they did for these activities:
For voluntary service, Trevor Wong, '26 volunteers at Marine Drive Golf and Country Club, where he cleans golf clubs, picks up range balls, and takes care of bunkers. Just something as small as a commitment like this each week adds up. Along the way, he's built meaningful connections while giving back to his community. Trevor also golfs, so he's able to log those hours into his Physical Recreation section. On the skills side, Cameron Stanger '26 has been working on his trumpet skills. He attends an early morning concert band practice every week, during which he can log into the record book and count towards his Award.
At the other end of the spectrum, Gold-level participants show what's possible when passion meets purpose. Jazmine '27 and Stella '26 recently completed their Gold Project by travelling to Brussels with the Model UN club to apply their Model UN skills at a conference and to experience foreign cultures. From formal debates to navigating new cities, their experience reflected the best of what the Gold level can offer.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award helps you uncover your abilities by exploring your boundaries and enjoying the adventure. Whether you've completed Bronze and are reaching for Silver or are just starting, Mr. Korol (WPGA's Award Coordinator) and the rest of the Duke of Ed community here at WPGA are committed to helping you help others.
**Students who finish their Award level before May 9 will receive their certificate and pin before the school year's conclusion.**