A slew of students were honoured for their valiant efforts in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme on Thursday.

Governor Sir John Vereker was on hand at the ACE building to give 23 students awards for Silver and Gold and apologised for not holding the ceremony at its usual venue, Government House, where building work is being carried out.

Sir John congratulated the recipients and said: "Their achievement is eventually Bermuda's achievement."

The Duke of Edinburgh Award was formally launched in Bermuda in 1967 and has been growing in popularity ever since according to award counsel chairman Lawrence Trimingham .

Participants are required to volunteer, play a sport, have a skill - for example, playing an instrument.

They must also complete an expedition which includes a long hike and camping out.

Silver participants can complete their 30 mile trek in Bermuda but Gold participants had to travel to the UK or St. Vincent to complete their expeditions.

Anyone between the ages of 14 and 25 can take part. In order to receive an award, each participant volunteers to spend time doing volunteer work, skills participation, a physical activity and adventure expeditioning.

This years recipients worked with the Island's hospital, churches, Sunday schools, the aquarium and animal care organisations to name a few.

Most of the skills from the year's group were music based, ranging from violin to drums, while others exercised their talents in, Tai Chi, woodwork, debating, and sewing.

To satisfy the sporting aspect, recipients participated in a wide range of different sports from horse back riding to ballet.

This years award recipients completed programmes through Bermuda High School, The Centre on Angle Street, Mount St. Agnes, Navigators, Saltus Grammar School, and Warwick Academy.

Nicole Wilkinson, a Gold recipient who completed Bronze and Silver as well, spoke with about her experiences.

"I had to prepare more mentally than physically," she said.

"We climbed a volcano in St. Vincent ? it took seven hours and was very windy."

One of her favourite aspects of the expedition was meeting different people from the Caribbean.

"I still keep in touch with a lot of them," she said.

Another Gold recipient David Amaro, who also completed Bronze and Silver said: "I went to Wales for my expedition and found it difficult to adapt. I was the only Bermudian in my group and was forced to be extrovert. My group became my saving grace for the three weeks.

"We did a solo night ? where we camped alone and was given only a block of cheese, chips, an apple, and some cracker jack thing ? it had to last two nights.

"I didn't think I could do it ? I was always at the back of the pack. I learned how to push myself."

Mr. Trimingham, who opened the ceremony, said there are plans to hire a national director for the programme.

"Other people on the chair have full time jobs and can not give it the attention it needs so, we have decided to hire a national director," he said.