"Open your eyes. There are a lot of programmes out there to get involved in," is the advice Teleza Pitcher, the S4 student from Berkeley Institute, has to give to her peers who moan that there's nothing to do in Bermuda.

"Other countries don't have the opportunities we have. [Young Bermudians] should take advantage of what's available," she added.

She should know, as she was one of several young people who have recently completed an expedition in Trinidad to meet the requirements for the gold level of the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, celebrating its 40th anniversary in Bermuda this year.

Inspired by her sister who was already in the scheme, Miss Pitcher started at the age of 14 following the programme as a co-curricular activity, that is, under school supervision, but beyond the academic curriculum. "I like to help people," she declared when explaining why she chose to give up her free time to volunteer as a Candystriper.

As her career ambition is to be an orthodontist, the area in which she has volunteered has been a good match. She also plays the piano and weight trains in her spare time. "I was basically doing everything already," she noted, "and that made it easier to get into the [Duke of Edinburgh Award] programme. It offered the bonus of recognition."

Describing the years she has spent pursuing her bronze, silver and gold awards as "a great experience", she noted it has provided her with the opportunity to meet new people and see the world around her.

Two compatriots also on the expedition in August were Marcus Symonds, in the second year of the IB programme at Warwick Academy, and his colleague John Adcock. They took time out from their busy schedules to speak with The Royal Gazette about the personal satisfaction to be gained from completing the programme. Mr. Symonds is a YouthNet peer mentor, plays clarinet with the Menuhin Youth Orchestra and has taken up Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art, as his physical activity.

He embarked on the Duke of Edinburgh programme when he was in Year 7 at school, a process that culminated in the five-day, four-night expedition on the north coast of Trinidad involving camping, hiking and cooking in the coastal rainforest. Admitting that, "It's so hard most don't do it," Mr. Symonds stated that completing the programme gave one a sense of one's own ability, knowledge that "you're capable of doing something special."

"Bragging rights," agreed Mr. Adcock, who also embarked on his pursuit of gold three years ago at the age of 14.

Playing the violin, road running and serving as audio-visual technician at his church have been the key components of his participation.

What makes it worthwhile is the opportunity to experience another country in a unique way and meet young people from the Caribbean and Canada while undertaking the gold expedition. For Mr. Adcock, the highlight of the adventure was witnessing the hatching of baby turtles on the beach at sunset.

The Award programme is challenging, the young people acknowledged, and others are easily discouraged, but their advice is "to have more confidence in yourself, believe in yourself."

There are adults to support you along the way, always there but never leading.

Participants are encouraged to take the initiative, to rely on themselves, and the other members of their team.

And the reward — beside the little pin? "You'll be surprised to find out how capable you are. You discover strong points of character you wouldn't know about if you weren't put in those positions."