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In celebration of our 20th anniversary a set of commemorative stamps will be issued on Tuesday September 18th, 2007. Please support and purchase a few sets for yourself and GGYA friends.
After a 15 year absence, the Award Program was restarted in the Bahamas under the name of the Bahamas Duke of Edinburgh's Award in 1987. The name was changed in 1996 to the Governor General's Youth Award, with strict adherence to the principles and structure, as set down by the International Award Association. The award is presently operating in thirty-seven units throughout the Bahamas. Twenty-four units are located on the island of New Providence and 13 on several other Bahamian Islands These islands indude Abaco, Andros, Grand Bahama, Harbour Island, Exuma and San Salvador. To date over 5,000 young Bahamians have completed their respective awards.
The Award is a programme of personal development for young people aged between 14 and 25. It has three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold; each of which takes an increasing commitment of time to achieve. Participants set themselves challenging personal goals in four different Sections:
There is an additional requirement of a Residential Project at Gold. Throughout the Programme participants can either develop existing interests or try something new. The Award is not a competition; it is based on personal improvement and achievement. Once participants have set their goals, striven to achieve them and shown improvement, they will achieve their Award.
The aim of this Section is to learn how to give useful service to others. It seeks to give participants a sense of responsibility to their community and to help them become better citizens. Participants should undertake an activity in which they give service to others, and should learn and benefit from undertaking this service.
The aim of this Section is to encourage the development of personal interests and practical skills. It should stimulate new interests or improve existing ones. These interests are typically of a non-physically demanding nature and may be hobbies, vocational or job related skills, social or individual activities, cultural activities or life skills.
The aim of this Section is to encourage participation in Physical Recreation and improvement of performance. Participants should train and persevere in their chosen activity. Involvement in Physical Recreation should be an enjoyable experience, regardless of physical ability.
The aim of the Adventurous Journey is to encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery. This Section seeks to provide participants with a unique, challenging and memorable experience. The journey, with an agreed purpose, should be undertaken in a small team In an unfamiliar environment, requiring determination, physical effort, perseverance and cooperation to complete.
The aim of this requirement is to broaden experience through involvement with others in a residential setting. The Residential Project gives participants a shared purposeful experience with people who are not their usual companions, working towards a common goal. It should be an experience that broadens the participant's outlook and horizons.