Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Lebanon at Eastwood
Some students arrive with a hobby they want to take further. Others have never volunteered or tried a hike with a team. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award gives them a reason to begin and the structure to keep going. At Eastwood International School in Mansourieh, near Beirut, students can work towards goals in volunteering, skills, physical recreation and an Adventurous Journey.
The student practicing guitar each week has a different challenge from the student training for a longer run. Neither is competing with the other. They both have to make a plan, turn up and keep track of their progress, even when homework and other commitments get in the way.
That is one reason we share the Award with our school community. An adult Award Leader explains the requirements, but students choose their activities and make time for them. They can look back at a record of what they have done rather than relying on a grade to tell them how far they have come.
Our school is on Sami Solh Street in Mansourieh el Metn, near Beirut, Lebanon. If you're looking for a school that offers access to the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, our team can explain the current opportunities for Eastwood students and the age requirements for taking part.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Lebanon
How the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Works
A Personal Challenge, Built Around Your Interests
Students don't all have to learn the same skill or choose the same sport. They pick activities that matter to them, agree on a goal and keep working towards it. The Award recognizes personal progress, so a student starting something new can feel just as proud of their effort as someone improving an old hobby.
Four Sections That Ask Students to Try Different Things
Every level includes Voluntary Service, Skills, Physical Recreation and an Adventurous Journey. At Gold, students also complete a Residential Project. Together, these sections ask young people to help others, develop an interest, improve their fitness and solve problems with a team. Their activities must meet the Award's requirements, but the choices are personal.
Taking the Challenge Alongside School Life
Eastwood's high-school information describes the Award as an extracurricular opportunity that includes hiking and camping. For an Adventurous Journey, students prepare as a group, learn the skills needed for their route and take part under the arrangements set by their Award team. Ask us which journeys and activities are planned for the current group.
The Award fits alongside regular schoolwork. Families can read about our IB Middle Years Program and high-school pathways when exploring what Eastwood offers.
Bronze, Silver and Gold: Understanding the Award Levels
There are three levels in the International Award: Bronze, Silver and Gold. The minimum age, time commitment and journey requirements increase at each stage. Students can begin at the level they qualify for; they do not always have to complete Bronze first. Eastwood can confirm which levels are available to its students this year.
Bronze Award | Age 14+
Bronze is a starting point for many students. It takes at least six months for someone joining the Award for the first time. Alongside their regular activities, participants prepare for a two-day, one-night Adventurous Journey. It's a chance to learn how to keep a promise to yourself, week after week.
Silver Award | Age 15+
Silver asks students to commit for longer. It takes at least twelve months if they're joining at Silver, or a minimum of six months if they've already completed Bronze. The Adventurous Journey lasts three days and two nights, with extra planning and teamwork along the way.
Gold Award | Age 16+
Gold takes at least eighteen months for a direct entrant, or twelve months for someone who has earned Silver. It includes a four-day, three-night Adventurous Journey and a separate Residential Project lasting at least five days and four nights. Families should discuss the commitment alongside their child's studies and other activities.
These ages and minimum times come from the international Award framework. The levels, registration arrangements and planned journeys at Eastwood should be confirmed with our team before enrolling.
What Students Can Do During the Award
Voluntary Service | Give Your Time to Others
Voluntary Service is about showing up for a cause, not simply joining one event. A student might support a community fundraiser, help with an approved charity project or give time to people who need it. They learn to make a useful contribution and keep that commitment over time.
Skills | Make Progress at Something You Enjoy
Photography, music, coding, cooking or learning a new language could all be starting points. Students choose an approved skill, decide what they want to improve and practice regularly. They don't need to be good at it on day one. The point is to notice the difference practice makes.
Physical Recreation | Find Your Own Pace
Students don't need to be competitive athletes. Running, swimming, football or another approved activity can work. They track their own improvement through regular effort, whether that's building stamina, improving technique or simply becoming more consistent.
Adventurous Journey | Work Things Out Together
An Adventurous Journey begins long before students set off. They plan a route or exploration, prepare as a team and learn how to make decisions together. Eastwood mentions hiking and camping in connection with the Award. The route, equipment, training and supervision depend on the arrangements for each group.
Gold Residential Project | Learn With People You Don't Know Yet
Gold participants spend at least five days and four nights on an approved residential experience with people outside their usual circle. They work towards a shared purpose, adjust to a different setting and get used to contributing in a new group. It's an additional part of the Gold level.
How to Join the Duke of Edinburgh's Award at Eastwood
1. Tell Us You're Interested
Get in touch and share your child's age, year group and interest in the Award. Our team can explain the best person to speak with and the participation opportunities currently available through Eastwood.
2. Check the Level, Schedule and Costs
Before registering, ask which levels are running, when students can join and what the activities involve. It's also useful to check fees, weekend commitments, transport, equipment and permission forms, especially for the Adventurous Journey.
3. Choose Goals That Feel Worth Working Towards
Students choose their volunteering, skill and physical activity, then agree suitable goals under the Award's rules. A good goal should challenge them while still fitting around lessons, homework and family life.
4. Keep a Record and Complete Each Section
As they take part, students record their progress and prepare for their qualifying Adventurous Journey. The Award is earned by meeting the requirements of every section over time. There is no shortcut, but there is plenty to be proud of along the way.
If your family is also thinking about joining Eastwood, you can read about our admissions process or begin an application. School admission and Award registration are separate steps.
Our Programs
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IB-PYP Early Years (English/French)
A Montessori-based program for a solid foundation, our IB-PYP Early Years program, offered fully in English or French, includes yoga, mindfulness, music+movement, performing arts, language immersions, science, STEM-based activities and much more…
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IB-PYP Primary Years (English/French)
The IB-PYP (offered in English or French) encourages self-directed learning, based on student interests, in collaboration with the teacher. We recognize that each child comes with a unique set of hopes, dreams, passions, backgrounds, talents, needs, knowledge, and experiences.
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IB-PYP French Section (Section Française)
EIS propose le Programme Primaire (PP) en français en raison de l’importance qu’occupe la langue française dans l’histoire, la culture et les affaires contemporaines du Liban.
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IB-MYP Program (English)
Our IB-MYP curriculum is concept-based, which is an approach to curriculum design that moves away from subject-specific content and instead emphasizes on key concepts which are “big ideas” that can transfer across multiple subjects.
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IB-DP Program (English)
The IB Diploma Program (IB-DP) is a world-recognized high school diploma option for those seeking the ‘best of the best’ when it comes to academic opportunities. The IB-DP is a rigorous high school program held to international standards - not those set by our school or by Lebanese ministries.
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American High School
EIS offers an American High School Diploma for students with international passports. Our American school curriculum starts as early as the middle school years, leading into high school graduation. Students eligible to enroll in an American school in Lebanon possess the legal exemption from advanced studies in Arabic by the Leb. government.
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Lebanese Program
The Lebanese Program is one of the three programs offered by EIS. Lebanese students at EIS are first introduced to the LB Program through Social Studies and Math instruction in grade 8; then the full LB Program is implemented grades 9 through 12.
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Design + Tech
The aim of the Design and Technology program at EIS is to help students develop the four Cs of the 21st century: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Mastering these competences would provide students with a robust foundation to conquer an ever-changing world.
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Mindfulness Program
To ensure we provide children with the time and the skills to manage themselves and their environments and find balance, EIS has made mindfulness courses a part of its program for all students, starting in Nursery through to Grade 12.
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Duke of Edinburgh’s Intl Award
At Eastwood International School in Lebanon, students are provided the unique opportunity to participate in The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards program.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a systematized program for completing personal development milestones, in a documented way, with oversight. It teaches youth to pick an achievable goal, work towards it, stick to it, and see it through until the end. That act in itself says a lot; it requires a strong mindset to not give up, and to do what you say you’re going to do - even to yourself.
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After-School Programs
Our after-school activity program is rich with unique activities, including Leadership, Mindfulness, Robotics, Photography, Theater…and even a Study Clinic in which our learners can pair up with teachers and their friends for extra academic support. Christmas Painting Events, Wellness Day, Cookie Decorations, Clay Night, and so much more are also part of the parent-child activities.
Not to mention international celebrations, such as International Day of Tolerance, Culture Day, EIS Tours the World, and so much more. This is all in efforts to reinforce the sense of community in our school. -
Friends of Eastwood School Foundation
We are a community of friends that is adamant on making a striking, positive difference and impact in the lives of those who are directly and indirectly in contact with children, of various age groups, backgrounds, and statuses.
We are friends of and experts in the field of education. We have a track record in instigating positive change where it is needed most and under different, challenging circumstances.An exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 87-3263117
Your child may already have an activity in mind, or they may simply want to try something different. We can talk you through the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, the age requirements and the options currently available at Eastwood. Families considering our school are welcome to ask about admissions at the same time.
Ask Us About the Award at Eastwood
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Lebanon
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The Award is designed for young people aged 14 to 24. Bronze usually begins at 14, Silver at 15 and Gold at 16. Some exceptions are possible under the Award rules. Contact Eastwood to check your child's eligibility and the options currently available.
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Bronze, Silver and Gold are the three levels of the international Award. Eastwood shares the Award as a student opportunity, but families should check which levels are running in the current school year before planning activities or registration.
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Start by contacting Eastwood with your child's age and year group. Ask about the registration process, timetable, fees, equipment and transport arrangements. Our team can explain the next steps and help you understand what participation would involve for your child.