AMERICANISM PROGRAM RESOURCE SHEET

YOU-01

YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCES (YLCs)

1. INTRODUCTION: Youth Leadership Conferences are a key Americanism youth outreach tool of the National Sojourners for “Teaching Young Americans about America”! YLCs, in addition to nurturing and cultivating student leadership, help students gain a better understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a free society, focus on the importance of community service, and explore other citizenship-related topics. National Sojourners chapters may elect to provide student scholarships to: (1) the Spirit of America Youth Leadership Conference exclusively presented by Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge (FFVF) annually every July at their Valley Forge, PA campus on behalf of the National Sojourners and/or (2) Military Order of World Wars (MOWW) YLCs presented regionally at various times throughout the USA by its affiliated organization —Patriotic Education, Inc.

2. GETTING STARTED: Carefully review National Circular (NC) 8.2.1, subject: Teaching Young Americans about America dated 22 June 2012.

CLICK ON the image of below to review a PDF of NC 8.2.1.

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2. CHOOSING A YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE (YLC) PROGRAM: A key factor to consider in choosing between the FFVF Spirit of America Youth Leadership Conference and the regional MOWW YLCs is cost. MOWW regional YLCS are generally less expensive and, in terms of both tuition and travel cost. Many chapters believe that they are able to provide a YLC experience for more students using the MOWW regional option. ON the other hand, many chapters believe that the unique experience of the Spirit of America Youth Leadership Conference provided at FFVF which includes a tour of Philadelphia—a cradle of liberty including the Liberty Bell, the Ben Franklin print shop, the Betsy Ross House, Carpenter’s Hall, Independent Hall, Valley Forge, and the on-campus Medal of Honor Grove. Your National Americanism Committee recommends sending at least one student to the Spirit of America Youth Leadership Conference. Note that both programs enjoy the approval of the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

3. YLC PROGRAM INFORMATION:

3.1 FFVF Spirit of America Youth Leadership Conference:

Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Campus Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Class Photo

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[CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW A PDF VERSION

OF EACH RESPECTIVE ITEM]

Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Video

Informational Trifold on Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge

Student Scholarship Application Trifold for Spirit

of America Youth Leadership Conference

Chapter Instructions for Spirit of America Youth

Leadership Conference

Student Packet for Spirit of America Youth Leadership Conference

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3.2 MOWW Regional YLCs:

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW VIDEO OR WEBITE]

MOWW Youth Leadership Conference Video

MOWW Youth Leadership Conference Website to include

Annual Course List and Application Points of Contact

States with MOWW Regional YLCs shown in darker color

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4. YOUTH PROTECTION: National Sojourners, Inc.places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for the youth that we serve through our Americanism programs. To maintain such an environment, National Sojourners has adopted policies developed by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) for the training and certification of members of our order and other adult volunteers (who will come into contact with youth as part of our programs) in the essentials of youth protection. These policies are primarily for the protection of our youth members; however, they also serve to protect our adult leaders from false accusations of abuse. Chapters are required to carefully review ADMIN ORDER 6-11 and insure that all required Brethren and all assisting volunteers (members and non-members serving as drivers, chaperones/adult counselors) become YOUTH PROTECTION certified by taking the requisite training. This policy to applies to ALL YLC programs.

[CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW A PDF VERSION

OF THE DOCUMENT]

Youth Protection Training & Certification Instructions to include ADMIN ORDER 6-11

REPRINT

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5. HOW TO USE THE NATIONAL SOJOURNERS’ SPIRIT OF AMERICA YOUTH EDUCATION FUND 501(c) 3 FOR YLC TAX EXEMPT DONATIONS: More information coming soon…

6. MORE HELP: If you need more help and assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the National Americanism Chairman whose e-mail is provided in ITEM1 on the Americanism page located in the SOJOURNERS ONLY section of the website or in the National Staff Director (also on the website). The National Americanism Committee wants you to be successful in your YLC planning and execution as we work in partnership to “Teach Young Americans about America” and “Proudly Serve the Cause of Patriotism”!

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