NYAA for dummies

The aim of the NYAA Programme is to be a non-competitive programme that encourages and motivates young people between the ages of 14 and 25 to develop personal qualities of self-reliance, perseverance and sense of responsibility to themselves, society and the nation. The criteria for an Award are self-improvement and effort. The participant is judged on personal achievement measured against original circumstances and potential capabilities. This allows for the less able and disadvantaged to participate on an equal opportunity basis. The NYAA Programme is completely voluntary. Participants choose activities that they are interested in and complete them on their own free time. The NYAA Programme is a framework designed help young people improve themselves. It is essentially a do-it-yourself kit for youth development.

Levels of the Award

There are three levels of the Award - Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each level requires a greater degree of commitment and determination. The NYAA Programme is a marathon, not a sprint and for each level minimum requirements are set. Participants can exceed the minimum requirements, but they cannot do less than the minimum requirements. Each participant has until his or her 25th birthday to complete the programme.

Level of Award Minimum Age Minimum Time Period Bronze 14 years & above 6 Months Silver 15 years & above 12 Months Gold 16 years & above 18 Months

Regardless of which level of the Award a young person is participating in, they are required complete projects in the following areas: Service Adventurous Journey Skills Physical Recreation Gold Award participants are required to complete an additional project - the Residential Project.

Service

Aim The aim of the Service Section is to learn how to give useful service to others. Requirement The requirement is to undertake the necessary training and give regular practical service for at least: Bronze: 15 hours spread over a period of three months Silver: 30 hours spread over a period of six months Gold: 60 hours spread over a period of 12 months

Adventurous Journey

Aim The purpose of this section is to encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery. Requirement The requirement for this section is to plan, train for and undertake a venture. The venture must involve a defined purpose. The venture must involve travel by personal effort and may be on foot, cycle or on water. Expeditions should meet the following minimum requirements: Level Miniumum Requirement Bronze: Two days out, including one night in an unfamiliar setting, including at least 12 hours of effort and activity Silver: Three days out, including two nights in an unfamiliar setting, including at least 21 hours of effort and activity Gold: Four days out, including three nights in an unfamiliar setting, including at least 32 hours of effort and activity Explorations Participants can undertake either an Expedition or Exploration. Explorations involve less journeying and a greater proportion of time is spent on approved, first hand investigations or other specified activities. Explorations have to be undertaken in the context of an Expedition and involve a minimum of 10 hours journeying. Participants are required to present a report or account of their venture.

Skills

Aim The purpose of this section is to encourage the development of personal interests and practical skills. Requirement Participants are required to choose a skill and follow it regularly for the minimum required period of time. They must show individual progress and sustained interest, based on their own capabilities and potential. Level Minimum Requirement Bronze: 6 months Silver: 12 months Gold: 18 months

Physical Recreation

Aim The purpose of this section is to encourage participation in physical recreation and improvement of performance. Requirement Participants are required to choose a form of physical recreation and follow it regularly for the minimum required period of time. They must show improvement of overall performance and genuine effort, relative to their capabilities and starting point. Level Minimum Requirement Bronze: 20 hours over 8 weeks Silver: 30 hours over 10 weeks Gold: 40 hours over 12 weeks

Residential Project (Gold Award Participants Only)

Aim The purpose of this section is to broaden experience through involvement with others in a community project. This project should provide the opportunity to develop maturity, leadership and responsibility. Requirement Participants are required to undertake or initiate a project that will serve or have a beneficial impact on a community.

Assessment

When participants enroll in the NYAA Programme, they are given a Record Book and an Award Diary. As participants complete each section of the programme, their supervisors or instructors or assessors endorse that they have completed that section in the Record Book. As they go through the programme, participants record their thoughts and reflections in the Award Diary. Gold Award participants are required to prepare a report on their experiences in the NYAA Programme. This report is essentially an expansion of the Award Diary. Participants are free to include photographs, copies of certificates, etc. in the report. When a participant has completed all projects for an Award, he or she submits the Record Book and Award Diary to the NYAA Council for endorsement. Receiving the Award

Once the NYAA Council endorses that all activities have been completed and endorsed by the respective Operating Authorities, the participant is invited to an Award Presentation Ceremony to receive their Award.

The Gold Award is usually presented by the President of the Republic of Singapore. Bronze and Silver Awards are typically presented by a Minister.

The Ministry of Education awards Co-Curricular Activity bonus points to all students who have achieved the National Youth Achievement Award, which can aid in admission to polytechnics and universities.

How to Enrol in the Programme

To enroll in the NYAA Programme, please register with the NYAA Secretariat.

Submit your application using our Online Enrolment Form or Download and print the Enrolment Form

Registration Fees: Bronze Level: $7, Silver Level: $12, Gold Level: $17

Please submit your enrolment form with a cheque payable to: National Youth Achievement Award. Mail to: NYAA Council, 5 Magazine Road #03-02 Central Mall, Singapore 059571.