Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential

A Gold DofE Residential requires you to spend five days and four nights away from home, taking part in a shared activity with people you’ve never met before. It’s about stepping outside your comfort zone, building new relationships, and developing independence in a completely new environment. 

At UKSA, our residentials are designed to do exactly that, offering immersive, structured programmes that combine adventure with personal development. 

You’ll live and learn alongside like-minded people, supported by experienced instructors, while building key life skills such as teamwork, communication, resilience, and leadership. 

We offer a range of five-day programmes that meet the requirements of the Gold Residential section: 

Maritime Futures 
Experience a dynamic mix of water-based and shore-based activities while exploring careers in the maritime industry. On the water, you may take part in dinghy sailing, keelboating, yachting, paddleboarding, kayaking, raft building, and sea survival. 

Alongside practical sessions, interactive workshops introduce you to maritime career pathways, including navigation and radar, marine engineering, powerboating, deckhand operations, and superyacht interior roles such as stewarding and table scaping. 

All programmes are designed to challenge and inspire, helping you discover new strengths and interests in a supportive group environment. 

Competent Crew & Day Skipper 
Live and work onboard a sailing yacht as part of a small crew. You’ll sail the Solent’s iconic waters, take responsibility for key onboard tasks, and work towards a respected RYA qualification. This is a hands-on, fully immersive experience that builds confidence, teamwork, and practical sailing skills. 

Dinghy Sailing Courses 
Progress from complete beginner through to advanced levels, with the opportunity to work towards instructor qualifications. These courses focus on developing technical sailing skills, water confidence, and decision-making, all while learning in a supportive and engaging environment. 

Our Gold Residentials are open to 16–24 year olds completing their DofE Gold Award. 

Whether you’re considering a future in the maritime industry or simply looking to try something new, this experience offers the perfect balance of adventure and personal development. You’ll gain practical skills, grow in confidence, and create memories that last a lifetime. 

Joining on your own might feel like a step into the unknown, but you’ll be welcomed into a  supportive environment from day one. By the end of your residential, you’ll leave not only with new skills, but with friendships that often last well beyond the programme.

 The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is open to anyone up to their 25th birthday, and all sections must be completed before then. 

Minimum starting ages: 

• Bronze: 14 years  
• Silver: 15 years  
• Gold: 16 years  

If you’re undertaking your Gold Award, you’ll complete your programme over at least: 

• 12 months (if you’ve already achieved Silver) 
• 18 months (if starting Gold without Silver)  

UKSA Gold Residentials are open to participants aged 16–24.