The Duke of Edinburgh Award is launching a new “fun-raising” event that will include a team relay race demonstrating some of the skills and survival techniques that are learned through the youth programme.

The Expedition Relay Race is part of a strategy aimed at raising both funds for, and awareness of, the non-profit organisation that is designed to help young people achieve their full potential in life.

The public is invited to attend the free event taking place on April 25 at Government House on April 25 from 2pm to 5pm. It will feature a number of attractions including Bermuda’s first official zip line, brought to the Island by Twilight Entertainment, fun castles, face-painting, information booths and vendors as well as music.

But the main focus of fun will be the relay circuit race which includes four stations for each team of four to work their way through. The first is Plan Your Route where the team leader will work with team-mates to work out their route through the race. That is followed by Pack Your Bag where team members must efficiently pack all their survival gear into one large back pack as they would on a real Duke of Edinburgh adventure. The third station — Hop Along — packs some humour into the race as the teams must get around on inflatable horse hops. The final station is Shelter Yourself where all four team members must work together to erect their tents. There will be various prizes for winning teams and goodie bags for all participants.

Traci Burgess, the director of the Bermuda branch of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, told The Royal Gazette: “It’s not meant to be a gruelling task; it is designed to give a snap shot of what our participants work through when they are on their adventurous journeys.

“The team component is a key component of what we do at the award — that’s why we developed this event to be a relay. The DoE programme encompasses character development, professional development, improved academic attainment, service to the community, etc. Our participants are engaged Island wide.”

Twenty-five teams have registered to take place in the race and registration is still open for more. Ms Burgess said she expects between 300 to 500 people to attend the fundraiser. Bermuda’s DoE branch is unique in that its programmes are free — the other 144 countries and territories that carry the award tend to charge registration and participation fees. The programme is open to anyone aged between 14 and 25. The organisation recently launched another initiative called Bermuda Bridge Award for ages 12 and 13

The Expedition Relay Race is one of four annual events aimed at raising funds and awareness of DoE Award.

Ms Burgess added: “We have developed a fundraising strategy to ensure financial viability for the award programme so we can maintain the participants that we have as well as continue on our strategy plan for programme growth and development.”

Other events organised throughout the year are a Tag Day on June 5, an annual golf tournament on September 25 and the Retail Season of Giving in partnership with RUBiS.

The relay event is free for spectators but donations are welcome. There is a $10 registration fee for anyone wishing to participate.

Anyone interested in taking part in the event either as a team member or volunteer can contact DoE by e-mailing director@theaward.bm or by calling 537-4868. Registration is available on the day but organisers strongly encourage preregistration.