Introduction to Bronze Program and DEA 101

By Eric Li

DOT Leader Wilfred Chung presenting DEA to the audience

In the last day of May, a group of new Vision Youth Bronze Visioneers and their Parent attended their very first Vision Youth session at Middlefield Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care.  They were eager to find out what will happen in their coming summer.   The session is “Introduction to the Bronze Program and DEA 101”. 

The session introduced the Vision Youth Bronze Program and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DEA) to the new recruits and their parents.  The Vision Youth Bronze Program Team (POT) and the DEA Operation Team (DOT) presented the session. The Bronze Program Team went through the program calendar and briefly introduced each session.  They also presented the Bronze program graduation requirement and some important dates in the program. 

The DEA Operation Team presented what are DEA and its Award requirement. All participants are required to complete the requirements in 4 categories – Service, Expedition, Skills and Physical training.  Since last year, the participants are required to register online and maintain their records at the International DEA website.  The DOT also has a show and tell to give some hints and tips on how to select outdoors equipment.  For example what to look for a good waterproof hiking boot, a backpacks of 60 to 70 litres, compass and other personal equipment.  Vision Youth will provide tents, stoves and ropes for their outdoors activities.  There are advises to the new students to start training themselves for the vigorous outdoor activities in the summer. Students once signed up to the DEA program online, they can start working on their Services, Skills and Physical Training. If one can start early there is a better chance to succeed.  

At the end, we encourage our parents to arrange carpooling among them, while driving their children to the Vision Youth Program.  This will save the environment and also help build team bonding among their fellow students.