Award Canada

08/18/2026

🎬 The Award in Action National Video Contest is officially open!

From now until September 28, we’re inviting Award participants, alumni, Award Leaders, and Award Centres across Canada to show us what the Award looks like as it’s being lived.

Create a 15–60 second video that captures your Award in action. Share authentic clips of your experience, or tell your story through narration and video clips, whatever best brings your Award journey to life.

Whether it’s a Voluntary Service shift, a Skill you’re developing, a Physical Recreation activity, an Adventurous Journey, or another meaningful Award moment, we want to see it.

Visit our website for the full contest rules, requirements, prizes, and submission details. We can’t wait to see your Award in Action!

https://www.dukeofed.org/video-contest/



🎬 Le concours national de vidéos du Prix en action est officiellement lancé!

Dès maintenant et jusqu’au 28 septembre, nous invitons les participants au Prix, les médaillés du Prix, les chefs de groupe et les centres du Prix partout au Canada à nous montrer à quoi ressemble le Prix tel qu’il est vécu.

Créez une vidéo de 15 à 60 secondes qui illustre votre expérience du Prix. Partagez des extraits authentiques de votre expérience ou racontez votre histoire à l’aide d’une narration et d’extraits vidéo, selon ce qui mettra le mieux en valeur votre parcours au sein du Prix.

Qu’il s’agisse d’une période de service à la collectivité, d’une habileté que vous développez, d’une activité de condition physique, d’un voyage d’aventure ou d’un autre moment marquant du Prix, nous voulons le voir.

🏆 Les prix comprennent :
Meilleur créateur de vidéo toutes catégories confondues : une carte-cadeau de 350 $ de votre choix
Créateur de la vidéo choisie par le public : une carte-cadeau de 200 $ de votre choix
Tirage au sort : carte-cadeau de 100 $ de votre choix

Visitez notre site web pour consulter le règlement complet du concours, les exigences et les détails relatifs à la soumission. Nous avons hâte de voir votre parcours dans le Prix en action!

https://www.dukeofed.org/fr/video-contest/

08/12/2026

On August 12, we join the United Nations in celebrating International Youth Day.

This year's theme, "Different Contexts, Common Aspirations," recognizes that while young people around the world face different realities, they share common hopes for opportunity, inclusion and a brighter future.

At Award Canada, we're proud to support young people as they build confidence, develop lifelong skills and make a positive impact in their communities. 🌍💙

08/06/2026

📈 The 2025/26 international snapshot provided by The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation highlights the reach of the Award worldwide, demonstrating how the Award continues to empower young people through service, skills development, physical activity, and adventure.

Across Canada, participation and achievement continue to grow, reinforcing the value of the Award's experiential learning framework in helping young people build skills, confidence, resilience, and purpose.

Read the latest blog on our global impact here: https://www.dukeofed.org/articles/from-global-insights-to-canadian-impact/

~~

Le tour d’horizon international 2025-2026 fourni par la Fondation internationale du Prix met en lumière la portée mondiale du Prix, démontrant comment celui-ci continue de donner aux jeunes les moyens d’agir grâce au service communautaire, au développement des habiletés, à l’activité physique et à l’aventure.

Partout au Canada, la participation et le nombre de médaillés du Prix ne cessent d’augmenter, ce qui renforce la valeur du cadre d'apprentissage par l'expérience qui aide les jeunes à acquérir des compétences, de la confiance en soi, de la résilience et un sens à leur vie.

07/30/2026

The Award family joins ! 🌍

This September, Award participants, Leaders, volunteers, alumni, and supporters across Canada will join the global Award community in celebrating 70 years of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award through a shared day of action.

On 20 September, we’re encouraging Award participants to dedicate at least one hour to cleaning up their local environment as part of UN World Cleanup Day.

It’s an opportunity to create cleaner communities while developing the leadership, teamwork, and service that define the Award experience. Swipe through to learn how to get involved, and don’t forget to tag us in your cleanup photos!

Register through the GOALD app: https://linktr.ee/goaldchallenges

07/28/2026

Please join us in welcoming four new members to the Award Canada team! 🎉

Chris Cole joins as Education Implementation Lead for Ontario Education Operating Partners. Chris comes to us from Skills Ontario, where he supported youth pathways into the skilled trades, and he'll lead the implementation and scaling of our experiential learning model with Ontario public education partners.

Elysia Colaco joins as an Account Manager, building and maintaining strong relationships with our Ontario public education delivery partners. She brings account management experience from a variety of organizations and a passion for work that makes a meaningful difference.

Iris Boudier joins as Communications Lead, bringing over eight years of strategic communications experience and bilingual expertise. Iris will lead the ex*****on of our communications strategy and share the stories behind the Award and its impact across Canada.

Kate Cruikshank also joins as an Account Manager with the Education Opportunity Program. A former teacher with a background at Scouts Canada, Kate will work closely with public education partners across Ontario, supporting educators as they integrate the Award into their school communities.

Swipe through to meet each of them in their own words. Welcome, Chris, Elysia, Iris, and Kate!

07/27/2026

Award Canada representatives were pleased to attend the Ontario Schools Cricket Association (OSCA) Cricket Across the Pond 2026 team announcement and celebrate the 15 young women selected to represent Ontario and Canada in England this August. Ontario’s first high school girls’ cricket team will travel to England for leadership development, cultural exchange, and experiential learning through this unique program.

As Award Canada continues to build partnerships that support youth development, we are excited to connect with organizations like OSCA that are helping young people develop confidence, leadership skills, and a global perspective through sport.

Congratulations to the athletes, coaches, and the entire OSCA Schools community!

07/27/2026

Looking for a way to complete your Gold Project this August?

Our partners at Off the Grid are looking for 5 Gold Award participants to take part in a hands-on service project from August 13–17 at The Off Grid Ark in Denholm, Quebec.

Participants will help with trail maintenance, property improvements, and preparing the site for future Adventurous Journeys—all while making a meaningful contribution to outdoor education.

Interested? Contact Off the Grid directly for more information.

Looking for a Duke of Ed Gold Project this August?

The Off Grid Ark is looking for 5 Gold candidates to take part in a hands-on service project from August 13–17, immediately before our Silver and Gold Adventurous Journeys begin on August 17.

This will be a practical, camp-like experience focused on real work that supports future youth outdoor education programs at The Ark.

Participants will help with projects such as:

- trail maintenance
- clearing and improving hiking routes
- maple syrup sugar shack maintenance
- small repairs and renovations
- preparing the property for upcoming Adventurous Journeys

This is a good fit for Gold candidates who are willing to work outside, contribute to something useful, and be part of a small team.

The experience will include indoor accommodations, but participants will need to bring their own food due to dietary restrictions, allergies, and food sensitivities.

Dates: August 13–17
Location: The Off Grid Ark — Denholm, Quebec, approximately 45 minutes north of Ottawa/Gatineau
Cost: $250
Minimum group size: 5 participants required for the project to happen
Transportation: We can arrange transport to and from Ottawa if needed
Timing: Ends as the Silver/Gold Adventurous Journeys begin on August 17

This is a chance to complete meaningful Gold Project work while helping build and maintain a place where future students can experience outdoor leadership, challenge, and adventure.

Message me if you’re interested or want more details.

07/15/2026

Happy World Youth Skills Day!

Through the Award, young people develop Human Skills like resilience, creativity, teamwork, leadership, and confidence by stepping outside their comfort zones and embracing new challenges.

Whether it’s learning a musical instrument, exploring photography, mastering a new recipe, or developing a trade, every new skill builds confidence and prepares young people for school, work, and life.

This World Youth Skills Day, we’re celebrating the curiosity, creativity, and potential of young people across Canada.

Learn more in our 2025 Annual Report at the link in our bio.

07/06/2026

We are proud to recognize recent leadership appointments and welcome new members to our National Board of Directors.

Peter Lawless, Chair
From earning his Gold Award as a cadet in the 1980s to reconnecting with our community in 2017, Peter has long been part of the Award's story. He brings decades of leadership and a deep personal connection to the Award into his new role as Chair.

Amy Langhorne, Past Chair
A Gold Award holder since 1987 and a lifelong learner and volunteer, Amy has given years of dedicated leadership to the Award. We thank her for her service as Chair and are glad she continues to lend her experience to the Board. Thank you, Amy.

Sandra Mason, Treasurer
A firm believer in the power of education to change lives, Sandra pairs that conviction with a strong financial background as a CPA and CA. We're glad to have her stewardship as Treasurer.

Laura Elliott, Director-at-Large
As former Executive Director of the Council of Ontario Directors of Education, Laura has dedicated her career to advancing educational opportunities for young people. We are grateful to have her expertise and leadership on the Board.

Fouzia Younis, Director-at-Large
As British Consul General in Toronto, Fouzia brings extensive international leadership experience and a deep commitment to creating opportunities for young people. Having seen the Award’s impact firsthand through her family, she is passionate about helping more young people discover their potential.

Shelan Emre, Director-at-Large (Youth & Alumni)
A Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award Holder, former staff member, and long-time Award advocate, Shelan brings both professional expertise and lived Award experience to the Board. Her voice will help strengthen connections with young people and alumni across Canada.

Together they bring decades of experience and a shared belief in what young people can achieve.

Meet all of our Board of Directors: https://www.dukeofed.org/about-us/board-of-directors/