The National Youth Achievement Award

Making Youth Leaders out of Ordinary Singaporeans

Aim of the Award

Self reliancePerseveranceSense of responsibility to oneself, to

society and to the nation.

To encourage young people aged 14-25 to develop personal qualities of

Background

More than 111 countries worldwide are operating the Award Programme under various titles

The NYAA Programme was officially launched in Singapore on 9th May 1992 by H.E. President Wee Kim Wee at the Istana.

Background

NYAA is advised by an Advisory Board chaired by Mr Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development

NYAA is administered by a National Council chaired by Prof Leo Tan, Director, National Institute of Education

NYAA Secretariat is headed by an executive director, Mr James Soh

NYAA Singapore is a Full Member of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award International Association

Mission Statement

To develop and maximize the potential of young people through selfless community service, challenges of adventure, skills development and physical recreation so that they may be exceptional individuals, who can contribute effectively to society and the nation.

What NYAA offers?

Leadership training Project management skills Development and expansion of

personal interests Adventure and discovery An opportunity to be an

exceptional individual

Key Benefits:

Benefits of the Programme

No losers! Completing the Programme means earning an award

National and international recognitionSelf-improvement -- discover new talents,

abilities and skillsParticipate in recreational and creative

challengesMeet new and interesting people

Opportunity and Challenge

Offers equal opportunities to all young people aged 14-25

Non-competitive -- you only compete against yourself to improve yourself

Physically less able and disadvantaged youths can participate on an equal basis

Voluntary and flexible -- projects completed on your own time

How it works

Bronze Award: Ages 14-25 Min. 6 months

Silver Award: Ages 15-25 Min. 12 months (For existing Bronze Award holders: Min.

6 months)

How it works

Gold Award:

Ages 16-25

Min. 18 months

(For existing Silver Award holders: Min. 12

months)

How it works

Bronze: 14.5 years old

Silver: 16 years old(15.5 years old for

Bronze Award holders)

Gold: 17.5 years old(17 years old for

Silver Award holders)

Minimum age to receive an Award:

Four Sections of the Award Programme

ServiceAdventurous JourneySkillsPhysical RecreationResidential Project (only applicable

to Gold Award Participants)

Service

To develop a sense of responsibility to the community and become better citizens

To experience community building and bonding through service

To learn through helping others

Purpose:

Service

Volunteering in a Neighbourhood Police Post Fund-raising projects Environmental protection and nature conservation projects Caring for animals Helping out in homes for the elderly or in children’s homes Volunteering in local hospitals Working with the disabled Or pursue an activity of your own choosing

Examples:

Service

The Challenge:

To offer community service regularly

Bronze: 15 hours over a period of 3 months

Silver: 30 hours over a period of 6 months

Gold: 60 hours over a period of 12 months

Service

Whether it is cleaning up the sea, preserving historic monuments or assisting the disabled, Service is designed to develop

Respect, love and care for our community and environment

Adventurous Journey

Purpose:

•Adventure and discovery

Discover more about yourself!

Adventurous Journey

Examples:

Canoeing Camping Jungle trekking Mountain biking Sailing Or create your own

adventure -- at home or abroad

Adventurous Journey

The Challenge:

Plan, train for and undertake a venture

Bronze: 2 days/1 night Silver: 3 days/2 nights Gold: 4 days/3 nights

Adventurous Journey

Teamwork and group cohesiveness work hand in hand to make the expeditions a success.

Skills

Develop and expand personal interests

Gain useful knowledge and skills and set a foundation for future learning

Purpose:

Skills

Calligraphy Photography Videography Librarianship Plant Study War Games Languages Pottery Writing Computers Umpiring Wood Carving Publishing Refereeing Needlecraft Motor Car

Driving

PublicSpeaking

MusicalInsturments

• Or pursue a new skill of your own choosing

Examples:

Skills

The Challenge:

Show individual progress

and sustained interest

Bronze: 6 months Silver: 12 months Gold: 18 months

Skills

Skills stay with us for life, and so will the vivid memories of the time invested in picking up the skill.

In the company of like-minded friends, through the sharing of knowledge and the exchange of help between one another,learning a new skill has never been more fun.

Physical Recreation

Healthy body, spirit and mind

To develop strength, stamina, endurance and perseverance

To empower you with confidence and self-esteem to help you face challenges in daily life

Purpose:

Physical Recreation

Aerobics Dancing Archery Fencing Badminton Football Basketball Gymnastics Billiards Judo Bowling Ice-Skating Canoeing Karate-Do Cycling Netball

Examples:

Physical Recreation

Orienteering Tae Kwon-Do Rock Climbing Table Tennis In Line Skating Tennis Rugby Volleyball Running Water Polo Sailing Water Ski Sepak Takraw Martial Arts Swimming Yoga

•Or pursue an activity or your own choosing

Examples:

Physical Recreation

The Challenge:

To show improvement in overall performance

Bronze: 20 hours spread over 8 weeks Silver: 30 hours spread over 10 weeks Gold: 40 hours spread over 12 weeks

Physical Recreation

Physical recreation brightens up our spirits, sharpens our alertness and keeps our health in check. Above all, it is fun.

Residential Project (Gold participants only)

Purpose: Cross physical and cultural

boundaries to help communities bear out extremities and hardship

Provide community service at home or abroad through residential projects

Become global citizens by helping others

Residential Project

The Challenge:

To undertake or initiate a project that will have a beneficial impact on the community at large, be it at home or abroad.

Residential Project

Travelling to foreign countries exposes one to exciting sights, sounds and smells. The residential project allows the participants to live the local lifestyle, not as a mere traveller, but as a resident.

Residential Project

Living, eating and working with the locals, our participants are exposed to a culture beyond their own. This challenges them to exercise their initiative, creativity and camaraderie

to benefit the community at large.

Recognition for Personal Achievement

The Award Programme celebrates personal achievement that is measured against original circumstances and potential capabilities.

Every participant can be a winner!

Recognition and Achievement

After completing the programme, participants are invited to an award ceremony. They will receive a certificate and a badge from a minister in recognition for their efforts.

Recognition for Personal Achievement

Participants and winners are from all walks of life

Getting Involved

Step 1 : Getting the enrolment form

The enrolment form may be obtained from

• The school’s award coordinator

• The NYAAC’s office located at: 277 River Valley Road #02-01 StarDuS ClubhouseSingapore 238318Tel: 6733-6753 Fax: 6733-6754E-mail: nyaac@singnet.com.sg

nyaaward@singnet.com.sg

• Web site at http://www.nyaa.org

Getting Involved

Step 2 : Sending in the form and fee

A nominal fee is charged for each level as an indication of your commitment to the Programme.

Fees are: Bronze: $5 Silver: $10 Gold: $15

Submit enrolment forms and fees to

• The school’s award coordinator OR• The NYAA Secretariat

Getting Involved

Step 3 : Receiving the Award Diary and Record Book

These two items will be issued to you upon submission of the enrolment form and fee.

The Award Diary and Record Book represent the experiences and achievements of the participant. They act as a record of success and achievement.

Getting Involved

Step 4Find an instructor for each of your chosen activities and work out a schedule. The Programme usually takes up about one hour per week of your leisure time.

Step 5Begin your activities and record your progress. Your Record Book is to be completed and signed by your instructor.

Step 6Send your Record Book and Diary to your award coordinator who will submit it to the NYAA Secretariat for endorsement. Upon approval, you will be invited to receive your badge and certificate at an Awards Ceremony.

Resources

• Seek assistance from your school’s Award Co-ordinator

• Call the NYAA Secretariat at 6733-6753

• E-mail your questions to the NYAA Council at nyaaward@singnet.com.sg

• Visit the NYAAC’s website at http://www.nyaa.org

Should you need help or more information

Thank you

The National Youth Achievement Award