Curling for Organised Groups
Reaching out to your local youth groups is a great way to increase the junior participation within your club. You can deliver these sessions similar to a Try Curling session or a Curling’s Cool sessions. The main aim is for the children to have fun and want to come back for more. A lot of organised groups have badges that they can achieve while taking part in curling. Some of the groups you could look to approach would be DofE, Girls/Boys Brigade, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Rainbows, Brownies, Guides.
Floor Curling could also be used to promote curling if the group were not able to attend the ice rink.
Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award encourages young people to take on a challenge and find their true potential. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is the world’s best-known and most respected kite mark of youth achievement and a great addition to your CV. There are lots of opportunities for participants to incorporate curling within their DofE Award programme.
There are three Award levels:
- Bronze– for those aged 14-25
- Silver– for those aged 15-25
- Gold– for those aged 16-25
At each level, Curling can be used in five of the six sections ( Physical, Skills, Volunteering, Extra+, Residential and Expeditions) as summarised in the table below.
| Physical | Skills | Volunteer | Expedition | Residential | Extra + | |
| Bronze | 3 months | 3 months | 3 months | 2 days | 3 months | |
| Silver | 3/6 months | 6/3 months | 6 months | 3 days | 6 months | |
| Gold | 6/12 months | 12/6 months | 12 months | 4 days | 5 days | 6 months |
Volunteering is all about making a difference to other people’s lives. You could help with running your club or ice rink, by assisting coaches, fundraising or updating website. Volunteering section of your DofE enables you to give your time to help others and change things for the better. Many people find this section the most rewarding and continue to volunteer long after achieving a DofE Award.
The Physical section is a chance for you to focus on your health and fitness and have fun along the way. Curling is a great physical activity that can achieve this section, whether you are new to the sport or already accomplished – with the DofE, it’s about setting your own challenges, giving 100% and being the very best you can be.
Skills section is about discovering what you’re really good at. You may want to train to become a curling coach or official. By developing practical and social skills and nurturing your personal interests and talents, you’ll boost your self-esteem and your CV.
Residential section requires participants in Gold DofE Award, to complete a five days and four nights shared, worthwhile activity. You might want to attend the RCCC summer camp or other curling camp. A DofE residential will boost your independence and confidence and is a great way to leave a positive footprint on your life and other people’s.
Extra+ is a requirement to spend additional time in one of the areas of physical, skills or volunteering, as detailed above.
The DofE Awards Scheme is run through many different organisations (schools, colleges, Scouts, youth associations and sports clubs). To find your local groups in your area see here.
If a Curling Rink or Curling Development Group wants to run its own group, it can become a Licenced Organisation see here.
Additional support can be provided by Scottish Curling Development staff.
