The Gold award is the highest level in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Cadets must be at least 16 years old to start the award and can expect it to take a minimum of one year to complete.

This timeframe is extended for cadets starting the award scheme at this level (Direct Entrant – those without a DofE Silver), to one and a half years.

To complete the Gold award, cadets must complete: A service over 12 months, A skill and physical recreation for 18 months (cadets can choose to do either for 12 months and the other for 6 months) Plan & prepare for a 4 day venture, Direct Entrants must undertake an additional 6 months in either the service or the longer of the skills or physical recreation. Gold participants must also complete the residential element of the award. This involves undertaking a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights, with people who are not already known to them.

To help cadets complete this section, the annual summer camps are the ideal opportunity, as many camps take two or more squadrons. This means that the participant will be working with people they have never come across before.

The minimum age for completing the Gold award is 17 years or 17 and a half years for Direct Entrants.

On completion, cadets will be invited to either London or Edinburgh to be presented with their award by a key figure, quite possibly HRH Prince Phillip. The cadet will also be presented with a Gold Award badge to wear on their uniforms, usually by their Commanding Officer.