Gaisce – The President's Award
Founded | 28 March 1985 |
---|---|
Type | Youth Award Scheme |
Location | |
Origins | Duke of Edinburgh's Award |
Key people | Mary McAleese Mary Robinson |
Website | www.gaisce.ie |
Gaisce – The President's Award (Gaisce - Gradam an Uachtaráin in Irish) is an award in Ireland, earned by young people between the ages of 15 and 25 for participating in several activities for a certain period. There are three awards; bronze, silver and gold. A similar award, called simply the President's Award, is available in The Gambia, Kenya, Malta, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago.
The term "gaisce" is from the Irish language and can be translated as "achievement". The award was established by a trust deed under the patronage of the President of Ireland on 28 March 1985 – the award is part of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award International Association. The profile of the award was raised substantially during the term of President Mary Robinson.
Overview
Every participant has the support of a "PAL" (presidents's award leader) It is not a competition, the only person you compete with is yourself. The PAL guides you through the challenges and sets appropriate activities.
Gaisce's mission is to contribute to the development of all young people through the achievement of personal challenges. Awards can be entered directly (without a previous award) or indirectly (from a previous award).There are four challenges in each award, which all must be outside school (except ECDL);
- Community Involvement - e.g. Charity work, Help with a youth club, Green Schools, Tidy Towns, Helping with children.
- Personal Skill - e.g. ECDL, Musical instrument, Dance, Singing lessons, Web design, Learn a foreign language(No sport allowed).
- Physical Recreation - e.g. Walking, Cycling, Tennis, Badminton, Golf, Soccer, Gaelic, Rugby, Swimming, A marathon.
- Adventure Journey/Research - e.g. Adventure center, European walk/cycle, Mountain hike, Canoeing, (Those who would be unable to accomplish this due to a physical disability perform a suitable replacement activity such as research)
or
- Residential Project (Gold only) - e.g. Volunteering in a foreign/3rd world country, Attend a sports coaching, Irish language course.
Bronze
Participants must be at least age 15 to enter. A minimum of one hour a week is required. There are five sections to complete;
- Community Involvement - 13 weeks
- Personal Skill - 13 weeks
- Physical Recreation - 13 weeks
- Additional activity in any section of your choice from the three above - 13 weeks
- Adventure Journey/Research - Plan prepare and undertake a 2 day, 1 night adventure journey in a group covering a minimum total distance of : Walking;25–35 km or Cycling 100 –130 km over two consecutive days.
Silver
Participants must be at least age 16 to enter. A minimum of one hour a week is required. There are five sections to complete if entering directly to the silver award with no previous Bronze Gaisce award, four if entered from with a Bronze award already received;
- Community Involvement - 26 weeks
- Personal Skill - 26 weeks
- Physical Recreation - 26 weeks
- Additional activity in any section of your choice from the three above - 26 weeks (not required if the participant has received the Bronze award)
- Adventure Journey/Research - Plan prepare and undertake a 3 day, 2 night adventure journey in a group covering a minimum total distance of : Walking;50–79 km or Cycling 190 –220 km over 3 consecutive days.
Gold
Participants must be at least age 17 to enter. A minimum of one hour a week is required. There are five sections to complete if entering directly to the gold award with no previous Silver Gaisce award, four if enterd from with a silver award already received;
- Community Involvement - 52 weeks
- Personal Skill - 52 weeks
- Physical Recreation - 52 weeks
- Additional activity in any section of your choice from the three above - 26 weeks (not required if the participant has received the Silver award)
- Adventure Journey/Research - Plan prepare and undertake a 4 day, 3 night adventure journey in a group covering a minimum total distance of : Walking;80–110 km or Cycling 300 –350 km over 4 consecutive days.
or
- Residential Project - A shared activity with a group in a residential setting for 5 days and 4 nights.
The award is presented at a regional ceremony by either a famous person (bronze/silver) or the President of Ireland (gold).
Affiliation With Scouting Ireland
Gaisce - The Presidents Award is now closely affiliated with Scouting Ireland. It is integrated into the new 'one program' for those who are at the qualifying age, mainly this embodies the Venture scout section. All leaders who have been invested into Scouting Ireland and who have the appropriate training can take the role of being a PAL, (President Award leader) if they so desire.
Also Scouting Ireland has an award scheme called the Chief Scout's award which is an award similar to an Gaisce although it is considered by many to be more difficult. Through the Chief Scout's award you can in turn gain your Gaisce, but this does not work the other way around, i.e., If you have completed your Gaisce you do not receive your Chief Scout's award as well.
Summary Of Requirements[1]
Bronze Award (15+ years)
Service | Skills | Physical Recreation | Expeditions |
---|---|---|---|
3 months | 3 months | 3 months | Plan, prepare for and undertake a 2 day, 1 night venture |
All Participants must undertake a further 3 months in either the Service, Skills or Physical Recreation
Silver Award (16+ years)
Service | Skills / Physical Recreation | Expeditions |
---|---|---|
6 months | One section for 6 months and the other section for 3 months | Plan, prepare for and undertake a 3 day, 2 night venture |
People who do not have the Bronze Award must undertake a further 6 months in either the Service or the longer of the Skills or Physical Recreation Sections
Gold Award (17+ years)
Service | Skills / Physical Recreation | Expeditions | Residential |
---|---|---|---|
12 months | One section for 12 months and the other section for 6 months | Plan, prepare for and undertake a 4 day, 3 night venture | Undertake a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights |
People who do not have the Silver Award must undertake a further 6 months in either the Service or the longer of the Skills or Physical Recreation Sections
See also
External links
Reference List
- ^ Page 5, Award Record Book, The International Award