Gaisce Award
The President’s Award is a personal development programme that encourages students to find their passion, get active and make a difference in their community! It is a direct challenge from the President of Ireland to young people aged 15-25. They can rise to the Bronze Gaisce Challenge by taking part in the following challenge areas: Community Involvement (1hr for 13 weeks), Personal Skill (1hr for 13 weeks), Physical Recreation (1hr for 13 weeks) and the Adventure Journey.
While the Gaisce Award is a self-directed personal development programme students will be supported and mentored in school by a President’s Award Leader (PAL), to help them set and achieve these personal challenges over a period of time.
There are four different areas of activity in the Award:
- Community Involvement
- Personal Skills
- Physical Recreation
- An Adventurous Activity
Participation in each of the four sections is essential to earn the Bronze award.
How to Start?
Before the end of third year, the students were given an information presentation on the award and the criteria for success. Participation in the Award begins once the participant has agreed the challenge in writing with a President’s Award Leader (PAL). The PAL is a teacher in the school who has completed training through Gaisce to support and supervise the students through the year. The student is required to keep a weekly updated record sheet of their activities.
A wide range of clubs, schools and colleges operate the Award, making participation easy for young people.
Community Involvement
Each participant must agree a suitable challenge in one community activity.
Examples
- Care of the Disadvantaged
- Conservation Project
- First Aid
- Helping Young People
- Assisting the Elderly
Requirements:
BronzeOne hour per week spread over 13 weeks
SilverOne hour per week spread over 30 weeks
GoldOne hour per week spread over 60 weeks
Personal Skills
Each participant selects one skill to learn or improve upon. It may be a new or an existing skill. The main emphasis is on commitment and improvement at the particular skill.
Examples
- Computers
- Craft Work
- Enterprise Projects
- Collecting, eg, stamps
- Musical Instruments
- Lifesaving
BronzeOne hour per week spread over 13 weeks
SilverOne hour per week spread over 39 weeks
Gold One hour per week spread over 52 weeks
Physical Recreation
Each participant chooses one form of physical recreation to learn or improve upon.
Examples:
- Team Sports
- Camogie
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Martial Arts
Requirements:
BronzeOne hour per week spread over 13 weeks
SilverOne hour per week spread over 15 weeks
GoldOne hour per week spread over 18 weeks
Adventurous Activity (compulsory trip for final award - subject to change and Covid guidelines)
The students should be involved in the planning and carrying out of an adventure journey.
Examples:
- Cross Cultural Exchange (Bronze and Silver levels only)
- Expeditions – by Foot, Canoe, Cycle or Horseback
- Explorations – Research and Surveys
Requirements:
Foot ExpeditionsCycling Expeditions
Bronze:2 days – 25-35km.2 days – 100-130km.
Silver:2 days – 50-79 km.2 days – 190-220-km.
Gold:4 days – 80-110km.2 days – 300-350km.