The Patriot Awards were designed to lead youth of the United States to a greater understanding of the amazing legacy we were given by our founding fathers. This legacy has afforded every person in the United States abounding freedoms that are often taken for granted.

These awards present the youth an opportunity to receive recognition for learning, working with family, working with people of varied race, creed, and gender, and experiencing the Heritage, Freedom, Citizenship, and Service of the United States of America. It is our hope that the youth will develop a stronger sense of themselves, their community, and their nation. We also hope that the adults in the youth's life will also pass on their heritage and learn more about this great land.

By completing each segment of the Youth Patriotism Awards, the youth earns a medal signifying their accomplishment and encouraging others to do the same.

All requirements can be done with a unit, group, family, or individually.

Purpose:

The Patriot Awards were designed to lead youth in the United States to a greater understanding of the amazing legacy we were given by our founding fathers. This legacy has afforded every person in the United States abounding freedoms that are often taken for granted.

The Heritage Award explores our rich history to include closer looks at the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, National Historic locations, symbols, and events. Participants will learn wonderful new facts about our country and have ample opportunity to expand their appreciation of the founding of this country.

The Heritage SILVER (Youth 6-10) and GOLD (Youth 11-18) awards will lead you down a path of learning more about the rich heritage of the United States and give you ideas and activities to further learn more and have fun doing it.

Award:

Each award has age-appropriate requirements and a number of electives. These medals will signify your accomplishments and encouraging others to do the same.

All requirements can be done with a unit, class, group, family, or individually. An adult should help you as you complete the requirements (and they are also a great source of information).

Along with the medals, you can earn Elective Stars that can be added to the ribbon portion of the medal. Once a medal has been earned, additional Elective Stars can be earned at any time (as long as you are still in the age group) and then added to your ribbon. The more you do the more you learn, earn and have fun.

All requirements must be completed during the age group of the award. Activities performed prior to the age group of the medal cannot be counted for the award. Adult counselors may take disabilities or exceptional circumstances into account when certifying completion of the award.

Requirements:

To earn the Youth Patriotism Award - Heritage SILVER Medal a youth must complete ALL of the following:

1. Declaration of Independence
   1. Tell when the Declaration of Independence was adopted.
   2. Read the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence. Discuss what it means to you.
   3. Discuss with your counselor how the United States would be different without the Declaration of Independence.
2. The Constitution of the United States
   1. Tell when the Constitution of the United States was signed.
   2. With your counselor, read the Preamble of the United States Constitution. Discuss what it means to you. Have your counselor tell you what it means to them.
3. Flag of the United States
   1. What colors does the United States flag have?
   2. How many stars are on the blue rectangle (canton) today?
   3. How many stars were on the flag back when our country first started?
   4. What do the stars represent?
   5. How many stripes are there on the United States flag?
   6. What color are the stripes?
   7. What do the stripes symbolize?
   8. List at least three things that you do to respect the flag.
4. Learn the Pledge of Allegiance. Recite it and explain what it means.
   -When was the Pledge of Allegiance written?
5. Make a list of the original thirteen states of the United States of America.
6. Point out the original thirteen states of the United States of America on a map.
7. Create a collage of American symbols.

Electives:

In addition to the above Requirements, you must also complete some electives. These electives can come from any of the below. Electives from the following list only count once (even if you complete an elective multiple times).

Once the number of electives needed for the medal is complete, your counselor can place an order for the medal. Completing additional electives enables you to earn Elective Stars that are placed on the ribbon of the medal.

Award	Number of Electives Needed
Silver Medal	3
Silver Medal and 1 Silver star	6
Silver Medal and 2 Silver stars	10
Silver Medal and 3 Silver stars	15

Visit and Experience:

• Visit a place that is listed as a National Historic Landmark or that is on the National Registry of Historic Places. Tel your counselor what made this location historic. What did you find interesting about it?
• Tour your Town Hall or other local government building. Tell your counselor what you learned about this location, its function, and its history.
• Tour your state capitol building. Tell your counselor what you learned about the capitol, its function, and its history.
• Tour the United States Capitol building. Tell your counselor what you learned about the capitol, its function, and its history.
• Visit a historic battlefield. Explain to your counselor what event occurred at the site. Who were the opposing sides? What was the cause of the conflict?
• Visit a monument in your local community. Who is it dedicated to? What role did the person(s) play in the history of our nation and/or your community?
• Attend a period re-enactment. Describe how your life would be different if you lived during that time.
• Visit a historic trail in your area.

Learn More:

• Select an individual from American history. Find out about the person's accomplishment and detail their impact in the history of America.
• Using the internet (with parent or guardian's permission), the library, or other resources, research and then tell the story of the Liberty Bell to your counselor.
• Using the internet (with parent or guardian's permission), the library, or other resources, find other versions of flags that were used to represent the United States. Draw a picture of at least two different versions or print two different versions out and then explain the differences to your counselor.
• Choose one from the "Committee of Five", consisting of John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, Robert R. Livingston of New York, and Roger Sherman of Connecticut, drafters of the Declaration of Independence . Write down or discuss with an adult all you know about the person you chose. Using any resources, find out 5 new interesting facts about the man you chose.
• Learn about the National Motto. Describe the adoption and tell of any changes since its adoption and explain how it continues to influence Americans today.
• Learn about the National Anthem. Describe the adoption and tell of any changes since its adoption and explain how it continues to influence Americans today.

Learn by Doing:

• Listen to recordings of popular songs from various periods of American history. Describe how they reflected the happenings of the time.
• Write with a quill. Try signing your name with a quill as the Founding Fathers did.
• Write a poem about "What My Country Means to Me?"
• Write a short story about any event in United States history.
• Sing the first verse of the National Anthem (even if you need help with some of the words).