Scottish Daily Mail

25 things all teens must put on their to-do list

(Duke scheme’s) award tips to build character

- By Josh White Education Reporter

AS most parents know, it can be a challenge to get teenagers to put down their phones and engage with the ‘real world’.

Now the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme has come up with a checklist designed to cut through apathy and ‘build character’.

It even includes a ‘digital detox’ – leaving the online world of mobile phones, iPads and other devices behind.

The 25 recommende­d activities aimed at boosting confidence and resilience include learning about climate change and trying a vegan diet. There are also more traditiona­l recommenda­tions such as getting a Saturday job and learning a language.

The scheme, founded by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1956, helps 460,000 young people aged from 14 to 25 develop new skills every year.

It said the checklist is a ‘fun and inspiratio­nal tool to help young people identify, embrace and enjoy activities that will support them on their journey to adulthood’.

The move comes after a poll for the scheme showed 52 per cent of 14 to 18-year-olds have never volunteere­d in the community and 51 per cent have not had a part-time job. Some 20 per cent said they had never been for a countrysid­e hike and 43 per cent never campaigned for something they believed in.

The scheme hopes the list will help support teachers in building the character of young people to prepare them for employment. It is backed by leading employers including Heathrow airport.

Ruth Marvel, of the scheme, said: ‘All young people should have access to the kind of experience­s on the list.’

Former Dragons’ Den star James Caan, 59, who made his fortune in the recruitmen­t business, supported the move.

He said: ‘The Experience List is a great starting point for young people to work out the best ways to develop their character and enhance their soft skills, which ultimately will improve their job prospects and help them to become more well-rounded individual­s.’

In total, more than 6.5million people have taken part in Duke of Edinburgh’s programmes which involve physical challenges, learning new skills and volunteeri­ng to develop leadership, teamwork and communicat­ion. They have achieved three million gold, silver or bronze awards since 1956.

‘Journey to adulthood’

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