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| 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. |
| The Foundation offers the following educational activities for high school students: |
| • American Leaders Youth Summit • Price of Freedoms Conference • Service Learning in Public Policy • Student Entrepreneur Experience |
| The Broward County Chapter provides scholarships for Broward students to attend the American Leaders Youth Summit and makes students aware of the Service Learning in Public Policy program. The Price of Freedoms Conference is designed for Eagle Scouts or Venturing Scouts. The Student Entrepreneur Experience gives students, particularly those from low-income, at-risk environments, a chance to develop career skills. |
| Youth Education |
| Inspiring Tomorrow's Leaders |
| Since its beginnings in 1973, the Broward County Chapter of Freedoms Foundation has sent more than 2,000 Broward high school students to Valley Forge for the four-day youth summit — all expenses paid. The program was originally called the Spirit of America Youth Conference but was renamed in 2009 to the American Leaders Youth Summit. |
| About the American Leaders Youth Summit |
| A unique program for high school students, the American Leaders Youth Summit offers a rare opportunity for participation in a four day residential program. It focuses on the discussion of current issues facing the United States from a historical and global perspective on constitutional law and government. |
| Student participants from around the country are challenged to articulate their views and perceptions about their constitutional rights and responsibilities as citizens while interacting and working collaboratively with their peers on various projects. |
| Experienced and expert faculty will conduct seminars and lead students in discussions and on field trips to Philadelphia and Valley Forge. Students will participate in their own “Freedom Summit” working on simulations of democracy dealing with current issues facing our country. |
| Students will also experience entrepreneurship and the free enterprise system through the “Free Enterprise Challenge” where students working in groups must create and market a product to sell to their peers. |
| Events Schedule for the American Leaders Youth Summit | |
| Thursday | Registration Dinner and Welcome Orientation and Introductions |
| Friday | Breakfast Freedom Summit (Part 1) Lunch Freedom Summit (Part 2) Small Group Meetings Dinner Living History Presentation Swap Meet |
| Saturday | Breakfast Small Group Meetings Lunch Living History Presentation Tour of Valley Forge Banquet Special Keynote Address Signer's Ceremony Talent Show |
| Sunday | Breakfast Tour of Colonial Philadelphia Depart for Home |
| Student Scholarship Information for American Leaders Youth Summit Attendance |
| Every September, the Broward County chapter invites public and private high schools in the county to nominate high school juniors for a scholarship to attend the American Leaders Youth Summit. Each nominee is then interviewed by a member of the chapter's Selection Committee, looking for students with an interest in history, who have demonstrated leadership, and who show a desire and willingness to learn. Based on the recommendation of the Selection Committee, scholarships are then awarded which cover the full expense of attending the conference ” tuition, air travel, and room and board. |
| Though the number of students the chapter is able to send each year depends on funds available, in 2010, the chapter is proud to be able to send 54 students, 18 to each of the three conference dates in the year. |
| Students who qualify, but who are not the recipient of a scholarship, are encouraged to seek sponsorship from another organization or corporation. |
| Trip Chaperones |
| Chapter members act as chaperones. They are responsible for supervising the travel to and from Fort Lauderdale to Valley Forge. Upon arriving at Valley Forge, the supervisory responsibility becomes the Valley Forge staff but the chaperones are required to be available at all times during the conference. Two chaperones are assigned to each group of no more than 25 students and are usually a male and female and most times are a married couple. |
| Related Activities |
| Orientation Meeting — Students are required to attend an orientation meeting with at least one parent or guardian. Students from the previous year are on hand to talk about their experience. The conference packet and Freedoms Foundation t-shirts are distributed and travel information is discussed. The orientation meeting also provides the opportunity to meet the trip chaperones. |
| Annual Student Luncheon — In May, after all three conferences for the year are completed, students are invited as guests of the chapter to a luncheon in their honor. The program for the day is designed to be of interest to, and entertaining for, the students. Our members say this is their favorite luncheon because they get a chance to meet and interact with a group of wonderful young people. In a sense, it is the chapter's reward for the hard work in raising the funds to provide the scholarships. |
| Click here to access brochures and forms for Student Education Programs. |
| Student Comments From the Youth Summit of 2008—2009 |
| This week I learned about acceptance and leadership, but most important I learned that our lives are based on so much more than what happens in a textbook. I received hands-on interaction with my country, opening up possibilities and opportunities for me in the future. |
| — Betsy C. South Plantation High School |
| The tour of Valley Forge took place on a very cold day without snow and I was freezing. I could only imagine Washington's men staying there through blizzards without adequate fires and clothing.... I can say that I am a better American citizen and extremely proud of my country, its foundation, and its principles. |
| — Samantha R. Coral Glades High School |
| While I don't see a future in politics for me, I plan to be a better citizen by never missing voting for an election. I know now that in this country, ultimately ruled by the people, my voice matters. |
| — Terrence C. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School |
| I can honestly say that I have grown immensely as an American and a human being.... I realize how much the leaders of this great country struggled to bring us to where we are today. This trip has been truly life-changing and I hope it will help others see their full potential. |
| — Julia A. Miramar High School |
| I have only lived in the U.S. for almost 5 years and I'm not a citizen yet. But this experience has brought me closer to this country and taught me to love it, respect it, and fight for it. |
| — Barbara B. Monarch High School |
| I would say the part of this trip that most affected me in a positive way was getting to know new people and experiencing such a wonderful trip with them at Valley Forge. |
| — Nayelis M. Northeast High School |
| I appreciate my mom and dad a lot more as well...and this trip has shown me how fortunate I am to be an American.... The world's a big place and the fact that I got to be born on this particular land into this sort of government makes me one of the luckiest people in the world. |
| — Michelle J. Hollywood Hills High School |
| His speech [signer of Declaration of Independence — a living history character] made me more patriotic in that he convinced me that I too — little me — can do something to aid this country. When I go home, I will try to be as patriotic as possible. In my future, I hope to work harder than I ever did before. |
| — Javaughn L. Deerfield Beach High School |
| From the mock Congress to the talent show, the entire experience was...humbling and...it is comforting to know that there are so many students out there who are interested in founding their future on the principles that the Freedoms Foundation promotes. It is something that I will remember for the rest of my life. |
| — Patrick R. Cardinal Gibbons High School |
| ...after this weekend of a lifetime, the American flag is something more internal — a personal bond between my country and myself. I've never thought that way before, never felt an honest connection for me and my country. I feel I owe it something. Thank you for all that you have done to make this the trip of a lifetime! |
| — Zachary D. J.P. Taravella High School |
| Don LeClerc, the keynote speaker, was one of, if not, the most inspirational people I have ever met.... This experience gave me a whole new outlook on how to lead my peers and not to just continuously follow them. |
| — Ryan G. North Broward Preparatory School |
| Balancing my faith and public views of certain laws as beliefs has always been a challenge for me. Yet, Valley Forge has still helped me to find my position and manage and maintain the balance. It's among the three main things I will take with me. |
| — Jessica R. Chaminade College Preparatory |
| I participated in the talent show (reading a poem) and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to share my hobby and words with my peers and to consequently receive so much recognition for it. |
| — Raquelle N. University School of NSU |
| I had so much fun learning about my role in America as a citizen and future entrepreneur,...the most important [of which is]...that America isn't made greater just by the heads of the country — the President, Congress, the Supreme Court, etc. — but by the general people within. |
| — Shaun M. Archbishop Edward McCarthy High School |