Left to Right: Karsten Andersen, Jaryn Anderson, Chris Thiessen, Kyler Bayko, Tyler O’Handley (photo courtesy of the 3rd Grande Prairie Scouts)

By Liam Verster

Community

Four local youth earned Duke of Edinburgh award for work on improving self, community

Oct 27, 2019 | 6:00 AM

Four local youth involved in the 3rd Grande Prairie Scout troop were presented with the Duke of Edinburgh award on Tuesday, October 22, in recognition of their work to improve themselves and their community.

Karsten Andersen, Jaryn Anderson, Kyler Bayko and Tyler O’Handley were given the Bronze Level award, after spending 13 weeks working on three disciplines: physical activity, development of self, and community service.

Jon Anderson, leader of the 3rd Grande Prairie Scouts and a Duke of Edinburgh leader, says the development of self skills could be anything from learning an instrument, a language, or a life skill like driving. The youth were expected to spend an hour a week for 13 weeks on those skills, except for one of their choosing, which requires 26 weeks of work.

After doing all that work, the youth had to participate in a two day Adventurist Journey, that challenges both leadership and physical activity and has a purpose. Anderson says the boys could have done a hiking, camping, canoe trip, or anything that is outdoors, and they decided to do a camping trip just outside of Grande Cache.

“They actually covered lots of ground, they probably covered probably 50 [kilometres], and they spent 3 nights. So they planned a backpack trip in an area that they haven’t been in before. And they studied the flora and fauna, what it was, how it changed, and how it compares to our scout camp just south of Grande Prairie. They each had to write a report, and submit that report with their record of weekly activities, and all of that goes into the Duke of Edinburgh office to ensure that everything’s covered.”

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The award was first created by Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, in 1963, to encourage youth all over the world to build lifelong skills and create positive lifestyle habits and skills. Since that time, over 51,000 Canadian youth between the ages of 14 and 24 have earned the award.

Anderson says the four boys plan on continuing in the program, and hope to earn the Silver Level Duke of Edinburgh Award next year.