DofE - Volunteering opportunities open to age 13

[AChickenCalledKorma]

DD is in year 9 and has been encouraged to start her Bronze DofE, which is now open to her year group. But her birthday isn't till August, so lots of volunteer opportunities are closed to her because she's not yet 14.

Anyone had similar experience and found something suitable?

She doesn't want to get left behind when her older friends get something sorted and is pretty frustrated that the DofE don't seem to have thought this through when changing the rules.

DS volunteered at the local library. They were fine with 13 year olds.

Would helping run a club for younger years in school count?

Parkrun!

My local parkrun startline and finish funnel we’re manned by DofE volunteers for weeks and weeks last year. Some of the bar code scanners are younger than my DCs (11), so age evidently not a problem :)

Brownies, scouts etc

My boys volunteered at junior park run, they are also young in the year and it was fine.

My DD helped at Rainbows-Absolutely loved it and they seem to be always in need of help!

@Hollowvictory

If she's not a current guide, she can't start any volunteering with girlguiding until she is 14.

My DD’s volunteered at a local urban farm which they loved. Also helped at the infant after school club.

My DD is helping at Brownies, but yes Rainbows, Beavers and Cubs would all be OK.

Helping at a sports club for younger children eg. Saturday morning football

Can’t she organise things for herself like dog walking, helping elderly neighbours, etc? Ask her to talk to her DoE leaders, they must appreciate that many organisations won’t take under 14s

When I did it, I visited a nursing home once a week to chat to residents with no family. Perhaps you could join her if she is classed as underage. I also remember spending lunchtimes volunteering at my school in the special needs department helping people read

My DD is helping at Brownies, but yes Rainbows, Beavers and Cubs would all be OK.

Scouts' 'Young Leaders' are 14+, when they start Explorers.

There's a reason you used to have to be 14 to start the DofE.

You CANNOT be a DofE volunteer with Guiding at age 13. Sorry, but they didn't update their policies when DofE made the age change.

Parkrun (and Junior Parkrun) are happy to have DofE volunteers - Event Directors get briefings on how to look after young volunteers, both for DofE and generally.

We've certainly had 13yos at my local, as well as someone doing it for her physical activity.

My dd helped with rainbows when she was 13 for D of E. (July birth) Apparently if you are a guide in the same branch as the Rainbows you are allowed. Well my dd was allowed last year anyway

You CAN volunteer at Cubs or Beavers at 13 as a young leader. You have to complete the first module of the young leader training even if you are not a member of a scout group.

Girls who are already Guides (aged 10 - 14) can become Rainbow or Brownie Helpers.

My dd (and many of her friends) are summer birthdays (and year 9).

The majority of them are helping with the younger groups at their sports clubs / drama groups / rainbows & brownies etc

Park run will bite your hand off.
Loads of DofE do it.

Thanks for all the ideas. Definitely some things she wouldn't have thought of in there.

Was going to suggest parkrun and/or junior parkrun 🙂