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2007 National Awards Luncheon

Realizing the void in civic education in the schools of America, in 1965 the Freedoms Foundation created its educational programs. The educational offerings of the Foundation serve to challenge the participants to explore what their role is as a citizen today and in the future. Thomas Jefferson wrote that the key to the success of America would be an informed and active citizenry. Freedoms Foundation’s programs aim to achieve this goal.

Elementary and Middle School Workshops are designed to highlight the student’s American history curriculum. The Workshops take participants to important historical sites (Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Valley Forge, Ellis Island, Washington Crossing) where the character and values of our nation were forged. The program features visits to these sites combined with review lessons and special presentations (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin). These presentations bring history to life for the student. Foundation personnel work closely with the classroom teacher to design a program, which meets each class’s individual needs. Many of the students are first generation Americans from inner cities. For the students the program is an opportunity of a lifetime. The program combines important civics and history lessons with self development opportunities as students live in a pre college setting in the Foundation's Dorms.

The four-day high school Spirit of America Program for high school students centers on topics such as freedom, civil rights and civic responsibilities, citizenship, public policy, self-development and leadership, entrepreneurship and salient aspects of American history. Programs allow students to explore within themselves their interpersonal characteristics and leadership potential through leadership skills workshops, group skills activities, and discussions with fellow participants. Programs are designed to provide an opportunity for students to participate in discussions with authoritative and articulate spokesmen from government, industry, and the academic community.

Graduate Teacher Workshops empower the teacher to return to the classroom with a deeper understanding of our nation and history. Like their youth counterparts, Graduate Workshops bring history to life as the participant travels to significant sites in our nation’s history. Workshops vary from year to year, but include:

The American Revolution –Boston to Philadelphia
The American Revolution –Charlotte, NC to Washington, DC
The Civil War West – Jacksonville to Atlanta
The Civil War East – Richmond to Philadelphia
The Revolution in the Middle States –Delaware Valley
The Heritage of Our Past Presidents - Boston to New York

The programs are directed by noted historians who are able to provide vivid interpretation of the sights.

Graduate Seminars focus on current issues preparing the participant to return to their classroom with a renewed perspective on the issues and the ability to enrich curriculum with first hand knowledge of political theory and practical experience. Seminar topics have included:

Terrorism
The American Presidency
The Judiciary
The Congress

Nearly 300 teachers, from all 50 states, each year take the fully accredited seminars and workshops. Freedoms Foundation’s educational programs for teachers have been accredited by many universities, including Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Loyola Marymount, and locally, Penn State and Immaculata University. Empowering those who teach the youth of America is a critical component of the Foundations educational philosophy.

Free Enterprise Institute Since 1997, the Freedoms Foundation has collaborated with the Philadelphia School District in an innovative program designed to teach inner-city at risk youth the complexities and challenges of the Free Enterprise System. This week long residential program is designed to build character and self-esteem in a pre-selected student population. Removal of the students from their home environment allows the talented staff to work on issues of self-esteem and motivation, while empowering the student with an understanding of economics and civics. During the week, the students participate in lectures on civics and history, design and build their own corporation as well as participate in leadership and teambuilding exercises.

Terrorism Seminar This seminar, designed primarily for teachers, provides an opportunity for participants to dialogue with current experts on contemporary issue- terrorism. The seminar will trace modern terrorism; study domestic and foreign terrorism and its different types (religious, political, ideological, etc.); clarify matters pertaining to internal security, such as intelligence operations; examine guidelines of the FBI and CIA; analyze military strategy; evaluate the importance of NATO; explore the economic impact of terrorist acts on our society; and explore the delicate balance between individual rights, civil rights and national security.

School of Excellence For the second year, the Foundation will be presenting a School of Excellence in Civics, Government & Community Service for the best and the brightest of the 5 county Philadelphia area. This one week program provides the students with the opportunity to study American political, historical, voting and citizenship trends that have relevance to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the nation. The program helps students to expand their political knowledge, and improve their analytical research, communication and leadership skills.

Democracy in Action This five day program is designed for Russian & American students to explore the intricacies of American Democracy and the Free Enterprise System. The program combines the best elements of the Foundation's traditional programs and the School of Excellence. Including site visits to Philadelphia, New York and Washington, D.C.

One Day – Seminars In response to the demand and popularity of the week long programs, the Foundation has designed one day programs on current topics. These programs include one day seminars on terrorism, politics or current issues of citizenship.