The Adventure Service Challenge (ASC) Award is a national scheme which prepares our younger members for the Duke of Edinburgh's (DofE) Award which they can start at age fourteen. The Award, which we offer at two levels, comprises both theory and practical work in subjects including first aid, road safety and map reading. The training program includes two action packed residential weekends, one is usually held at a local scout campsite 'under canvas', and the other in a converted barn, near Stratford upon Avon. The groups spend some of their time completing sections of the ASC Award whilst much time is set aside for leisure activities, such as horse-riding, swimming, grass sledging, kite making and the thrill of assault courses.

Once members reach the age of fourteen they start working towards their D of E Award. A2 YFA appear in a D of E promotional video, carrying out line rescue, demonstrating the use of fire extinguishers and putting out a car fire under supervision. We also support the D of E by performing a reading at the annual Carol Service in Birmingham Cathedral. Another high point came at a fantastic day at Windsor Castle, which was a part of Prince Philip's 70th birthday celebrations. A2 YFA took on the world on the army assault course competition. And won.

Many members have successfully gained their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. We provide training in all sections of the D of E Award, whilst encouraging members to choose their own options wherever possible. Most, though not all, members chose Fire Service for the service section of the Award at Bronze and Silver. At Gold level, members often chose Youth Work for the service section. We provide formal training in youth leadership, incorporating planning, decision making, team working & communication. This course has become extremely successful, proven by the number of members who have developed into first class instructors. Some of these have now been with the YFA for more than ten years.

Many members complete the physical section on a Tuesday evening, through our physical training program, whilst other members chose to follow options. At Gold level, members also compete a five day residential project. In recent years this has seen members working on conservation projects as near and far as Newark Park in Gloucestershire and on the Caribbean island of Trinidad. It's not always the environment which benefits, members often return from projects where they helped supervise a canal boat cruise for young people with special needs or assisted with holidays for under-privileged children.

For many the most demanding yet rewarding, section of the Award is the expedition. Our members complete a comprehensive training program covering all aspects of expedition work which allows them to make informed decisions for the benefit of their group in case of difficulty. This is followed by a supervised practice expedition which each group undertakes. The qualifying expeditions are undertaken in some of the most beautiful parts of the country. Groups select their own location. However, at Bronze level, expeditions are often held in the White Peaks, the Cotswolds or on the Long Mynd. At Silver, expeditions, are often held in the Dark Peaks, mid-Wales or even by canoe, in the Midlands and Wales. At Gold level, expeditions have been held at both home and abroad involving some fantastic journeys. In the UK, we have been to Dartmoor, the North York Moors, the Lake District, Snowdonia and to Scotland. A2 YFA have run expeditions to Bavaria where members experienced steep sided ridge walking in the beautiful terrain of the Allgau region. This led to us meeting the German YFA and later hosting groups of instructors from the German YFA during visits to Britain. Members from A2 YFA have also joined other young people from Birmingham on Gold expeditions to the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Australia and Hong Kong, where they have been ambassadors of both the West Midlands Fire Service and the UK.

Each year members from A2 YFA have been invited to presentation ceremonies at Birmingham Council House to receive their Silver and Gold D of E Awards and the Basic Expedition Training Award. At Gold, members also attend functions at either Buckingham Palace or St. James' Palace to collect their Award from Prince Philip.

Members put a great deal of hard work into competing their ASC and D of E Awards.  The member's achievements are recognised twice a year by our Divisional Commander who presents the awards to members across all areas of activity at a formal presentation evening. The highlight of each evening sees two awards presented to two members selected by the instructors based on a number of criteria including their attitude, appearance, attendance, fund-raising efforts and brilliance at a specific event.

A more detailed explanation of all these awards and more can be found in our Members Awards Section.