Residential
Residential
The Residential section an exciting part of your Gold DofE - giving you the chance to challenge yourself, gain valuable life skills, embrace new experiences, have fun and meet new people.
Here is what you need to do to complete the residential section:
- Undertake a five-day, four-night residential project in an unfamiliar setting, using shared accommodation.
- There should be at least five people in the group, the majority of which are unknown to you.
- Residential projects may include training courses, environmental and conservation projects, volunteering or be activity based.
- The residential can be split into two blocks within 12 months, as long as the same activity is completed.
You can find guidance to understanding the residential requirements on the DofE website. Please make sure your activity is approved by your leader and DofE Lead using the residential approval form before you book your place.
Checklist
- The residential meets the residential requirements.
- The residential is approved by the County/Area DofE Lead using the residential approval form.
- All residentials are undertaken with a licenced organisation, approved activity provider or organised group.
Residential ideas
- Taking part in a week-long discovery of stage combat in Wales.
- Taking part in a multi-faith residential, studying different religions and how they interact with each other.
- Taking part in the World Scout Jamboree, Moot or Roverway as a participant and International Service Team.
- Attending a conference on climate change as a youth representative for your local authority.
- Studying coral bleaching in Australia.
- Joining a tree planting project in County Antrim with The Woodland Trust.
- Monitoring the bat population in the New Forest.
- Helping the preservation team of a narrow gauge railway in mid-Wales.
- Undertaking a cookery course in France.
- Doing a photography course run by a university and exhibiting your work.
- Learning to snowboard on an intensive course in Scotland.
- Improving your Spanish language skills on a course in Madrid.
- Learning to write and produce music and putting on a show for locals.
- Helping at a Scout campsite or event which offers Gold DofE Residential opportunities.
- Helping out on a pilgrimage to Sri Lanka.
- Aiding deafblind young people and adults to enjoy a holiday.
- Rebuilding a school roof in Lesotho.
- Being an assistant to support an eco-friendly waste project at an outdoor education centre.
Residential assessor
Assessors check on the progress of a young person and confirm completion of the section - there is a useful card in the welcome pack which can be given to assessors at the beginning of the placements.
The assessor's report needs to confirm they met the residential requirements and achieved their personal goals. If splitting a residential into two, there should be a consistent assessor across both blocks who can support a participant through the whole section, or two assessor's reports should be uploaded.
The assessor must be 18+ and not related to the participant. They'll write an assessor's report which can be submitted via the DofE website or using the card in the welcome pack.
Support
Here are some resources to support you with this section:
The DofE have lots of opportunities for each section on their website
The DofE have ideas for activities for all sections on their website.
Check out the details of available funds and grants from Scouts.