Youth award grants

Swap the classroom for the backcountry. Trade your instant noodles for a proper hut feed. Capture the whole adventure on GoPro. Our Youth Awards help turn your Duke of Edinburgh and Scout Venturer Expedition ideas into reality.

Funded by:

What others got up to

The Paparoa Range

Fielding High School students hit the West Coast’s Paparoa Range for a four-day, 55-kilometre hike on their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Expedition. A journey of clag, sunrises, and plenty of cards.

Pressure and Partnership

Otamatea High School students learn the importance of leadership, emotional regulation, and partnership during their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Expedition.

Challenges in Tongariro

OTNZ Waikato/Whakatane High Schoolers set out on a challenging adventure through Tongariro for their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Expedition.

Lake Waikaremoana Gold

Our member clubs and individual supporters make our work possible through their annual fees and contributions. Their ongoing commitment helps sustain FMC’s core activities and advocacy.

‘Round Ruapehu

Faced with breathing difficulties, 85 kilometre per hour wind gusts and a reroute due to heavy rains, five students successfully navigate five days of challenges to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Qualifying Journey.

Sharing the Load

A group of five students share the role of team leader during their DOE Adventurous Journey along the Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sounds.

How it works

Each Youth Award is $250 in cash.

Our awards are open to:

  • Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award candidates who are doing a qualifying Adventurous Journey (Bronze, Silver or Gold).
  • Scouts NZ Venturer Award candidates tackling Expeditions at Gold or Silver level (Outdoors Cornerstone).

To be eligible, your adventure must:

  • Be in the spirit of FMC — think tramping, climbing, kayaking, or other non-motorised adventurous activity in the backcountry of New Zealand.
  • Include a team of 4–7 people (not counting any shadow party).
  • Be planned and led by you — any commercial programmes like Spirit of Adventure or Outward Bound aren’t eligible.
  • You (or your organisation) need to be linked to FMC — either through membership in a club, a school or as an individual member.
  • If you’re doing your trip with mates who are also applying, each of you can put in your own application (but we might limit the total amount given to one trip).
  • Each school or youth organisation can endorse applications for up to 10 students in a calendar year.
  • You need to be hands-on with your expedition: planning it, leading it, and reflecting on it afterwards – we’ll ask for a written report.
  • You can use the award to cover costs of transport, hut fees, food and gear.

You can download the application form, which needs to be completed and signed by the relevant people, and then emailed to administrator@fmc.org.nz.  If you have any questions about the grant or the application process, please email administrator@fmc.org.nz

There are four rounds of awards each year. Applications close on 15 March, 15 June, 15 September, and 15 November.

These grants are made possible thanks to the generous support of the Maerewhenua Trust: www.maerewhenuatrust.org.nz.

You can read about previous recipients and their adventures on Wilderlife.