Photos: 2025 DofE Joint Training Sessions
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Bermuda hosted Joint Training Sessions with over 250 people taking part.
A spokesperson said, “On November 1st and 2nd, 2025, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Bermuda [the Award] celebrated a milestone weekend with record-breaking Joint Training Sessions that welcomed 276 young people and 28 adults and 8 emerging leader volunteers from across the island [182 Bronze and 140 Silver and Gold Participants]. This signature annual event unites participants and Award Leaders from all three Award Levels [Bronze, Silver and Gold], demonstrating the programmes’ island-wide reach while connecting young people with activity providers and delivering essential training to Award Leaders. Participants were randomly grouped into diverse teams from public schools, private schools and homeschool programmes—a true reflection of the Award’s inclusive community.”
Throughout the weekend, teams rotated through a variety of dynamic training stations, including:
- Yoga and Mindfulness: Participants immersed themselves in wellness workshops facilitated by Tiffany Paynter from Treehouse Yoga. These sessions explored the physical and mental health advantages of consistent exercise, such as enhanced flexibility, cardiovascular health and reduced stress levels. Participants gained practical mindfulness techniques that support holistic well-being and mental resilience. Additionally, participants learned how yoga can be used as one of their individual Skill or Physical activities, but also how it can be incorporated into their Adventurous Journey as their purpose or to recuperate after a long day of journeying.
- Artistic Expression of the Adventurous Journey: Creative workshops led by designer and artist Jordan Carey from Loquats Shop demonstrated ways in which participants can document their Adventurous Journey in a fun and creative way, guiding them to produce artwork that captures the essence of their Award experience.
- Critical Thinking: Led by the Royal Bermuda Regiment Junior Leader’s Award Centre, participants tackled problem-solving exercises that required teamwork, logical reasoning, and creative thinking.
- Skill Development: Through board games, participants built connections with peers in a relaxed, interactive environment while getting to know each other in a fun and friendly way.
- Obstacle Course & Team Building: Collaborative challenges and physical activities with Colour Sergeant, Sergio White from the Royal Bermuda Regiment pushed participants to work cohesively, communicate under pressure, and support teammates through a physically tough and demanding set of obstacles.
- Diversity Training: Sessions focused on cultural awareness and inclusive practices equipped participants with tools to appreciate and respect diverse perspectives within their communities and develop inclusive leadership skills that value different experiences and backgrounds.
- Highway Code and Navigation: Practical instruction covered essential safety knowledge for Adventurous Journeys, including navigation techniques, road safety and responsible outdoor practices.
- Navigation through Southlands to Warwick Camp [Silver and Gold only]: A hands-on navigation exercise challenged participants to work as a team, using their compass skills and a topographical map to find a specific historical landmark in Southlands before completing their mini-expedition with a hike to Royal Bermuda Regiment – Warwick Camp.
- Understanding the Award: Informative sessions deepened participants’ comprehension of the Award’s philosophy, structure and global impact. In addition all the participants completed the NAO’s pre-satisfaction survey that will be compared at the end of their Award Level with the post-satisfaction survey to see the growth and impact of the participants as they engaged in their Award levels.
- Environmental Stewardship with Keep Bermuda Beautiful [Silver and Gold only]: Educational sessions with Alandra Swan, KBB Education & Community Engagement Coordinator, emphasized environmental stewardship, coastal conservation, and “leave no trace” principles critical for upcoming expeditions and sustainable living. Participants also learned how trash collection activities could fulfill their Service section requirements, connecting environmental action directly to their Award journey.
Karen Simmons, Programme Director, shared, “Joint Training serves a purpose beyond Adventurous Journey preparation—it introduces participants to diverse activity options for their Skill, Physical, and Service sections and reveals that they’re part of an island-wide community, not just their individual Award Centers [schools]. This year’s sessions cultivated adaptability, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills essential for adulthood and the next steps in their lives. Participants met new friends, discovered unexpected interests, and embraced challenges that pushed them beyond their comfort zones. Our Emerging Leader Development Programme Gold level participants who have completed their Adventurous Journey and Gold Projects in Barbados summer 2025 volunteered and once again demonstrated exceptional leadership, mentoring younger participants and modeling the values we hope to instill in all our young people.”
Fiona Holmes, Development Director, expressed, “None of this would be possible without our extraordinary community of supporters and volunteers. We are deeply grateful to our Award Leaders who volunteer throughout the year and who gave their time over the weekend at Joint Training to mentor our young people and ensure the programme’s success. We extend our special thanks to the Royal Bermuda Regiment for once again providing the Warwick Camp facilities and staff support that made this event possible. We also extend our sincere thanks to our community partners who invested their time and expertise: designer and artist Jordan Carey, Tiffany Paynter from Tree House Yoga, Alandra Swan from Keep Bermuda Beautiful, Colour Sergeant, Sergio White, Sergeant Major, Gavin Raynor and the entire Royal Bermuda Regiment team who helped over the weekend.”
The spokesperson said, “Our appreciation extends to our generous donors whose commitment keeps the Award free and accessible: Axis, Bermuda Centennial Foundation, Bermuda Foundation, AXA Foundation, Jardines, Peter Cundill Foundation, Edmund Gibbons Ltd., Butterfield & Vallis, Bermuda End to End, Arch, Orbis, Allied World, and KPMG. The dedication of our donors, volunteers, and Emerging Leaders ensures that every young person in Bermuda can participate in this life-changing Award.
“The Award remains committed to nurturing confident, engaged, and globally-minded young people who actively contribute to their communities. To learn more about participating, volunteering, or supporting the programme, please contact fiona@theaward.bm or call 737-8959.”
