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Extracurricular Program

Extracurricular Program

The Duke of Edinburgh Program
As one of Canada’s most recognized youth development programs, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award aims to encourage young people to take on new challenges, set goals and “take control of their lives and their futures.” Since its inception, the Award has involved more than 1 million students across 130 countries. Within its three levels of Bronze, Silver and Gold, there are four main sections to complete – skill development, community service, physical recreation, and the undertaking of an adventurous journey.
 
Students ages 14-24 may sign up online at dukeofed.org. In CDS’s case, as a designated Group within the organization, Ms. Heather Castellan serves as the faculty facilitator and helps students ensure that they are meeting the requirements. Award participants then go about setting their own goals and pace making every journey unique.

Program's History

CDS began offering this program in 1990, four years after the opening of our Senior School. Lesley Emerson ’94 was the first student to achieve Gold medal status and many others have attained Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards since.
 
The passing of Prince Philip in April 2021 prompted CDS to reflect upon its history with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program, which he founded in the UK in 1956 and launched in Canada in 1963.
 
In the beginning, the Duke of Edinburgh would often travel to Canada to present Gold Awards to Canadian students, including Jill Daley ’98 and Danielle Black ’00. Later, presenters included Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and the Governor General.
 
Julia Garbe '17, now in her final year as an engineering student at the University of Waterloo, received her Gold Award from Prince Harry in 2018 and had this to say. “I would encourage anyone to give the Duke of Ed Awards a try. It is a marathon, not a sprint, and opens a lot of doors and builds habits that will change your life for the better.”
 
While the Awards program is not a scholarship, it is a tremendous honour and badge of achievement for some accomplishments and endeavours a student may have attempted on their own, as well as others that would have taken them outside their comfort zone.
 
Students interested in becoming involved in the Duke of Ed Award program at CDS should contact Ms. Castellan for more information.

Quick Links

List of 5 news stories.

  • Once again, Temagami Amazed

    From September 16-20, 23 intrepid explorers launched from Camp Temagami on our annual Canoe trip. For many, this trip was part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award, fulfilling their Adventurous Journey components. They spent four days in the backcountry wilderness: learning how to canoe, select firewood, chop, saw and start fires, all so that they could make some amazing meals. 
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  • Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey

    Last weekend, seven dedicated Grade 9 students reached a significant milestone in their leadership journey by completing their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Qualifying Adventurous Journey. The expedition began at the entrance to Mary Lake in King, where the group embarked on a rigorous 10km trek through the scenic Oak Ridges Moraine Trail on the Seneca College property, eventually navigating their way back to the CDS campus.
     
     
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  • Spring Hike To Bruce Peninsula

    Senior School students interested in participating in a three-day hike in the Bruce Peninsula National Park this May, should complete the form emailed to them by January 27th.
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  • Students Achieve Duke of Edinburgh Bronze & Silver Awards

    On Monday, Mr. Liggett and Ms. Castellan recognized nine of our students participating in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award program for achieving Silver and Bronze Award levels.
     
    As one of Canada's most recognized youth development programs, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award aims to encourage young people to take on new challenges, set goals and "take control of their lives and their futures." Within its three levels of Bronze, Silver and Gold, there are four main sections to complete a minimum number of hours in - skill development, community service, physical recreation, and the undertaking of an adventurous journey.
    Read More

  • Memories from Last Week's Temagami Canoe Trip

    The Temagami canoe trip was a trip filled with laughs, excitement, and relaxation. At first, the thought of five days with no phone was terrible, but once we realized that there is always something to do during the day we forgot all about it. For someone who has never been camping before for fear of sleeping next to a bear, I had the most memorable time and would definitely recommend the trip to anyone with a sense of adventure.

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LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.

School Information

Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5 
(905) 833-1220 

communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca

Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.

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