Gaisce – The President's Award

Updated on Dec 15, 2023

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Founded 28 March 1985 Location Ireland		Type Youth award scheme Website www.gaisce.ie

Gaisce – The President's Award (Irish: Gaisce – Gradam an Uachtaráin) 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.

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. In 1988 the award became part of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Association. The profile of the award was raised substantially following the first award ceremonies performed by President Hillery in 1989.

Overview

Every participant has the support of a "PAL" (President'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 – Charity work, Help with a youth club, Green Schools, Tidy Towns, Helping with children

Personal Skill – ECDL, Musical instrument, Dance, Singing lessons, Web design, Learn a foreign language (No sport allowed)

Physical Recreation – Walking, Cycling, Tennis, Badminton, Golf, Soccer, Gaelic, Rugby, Swimming, A marathon

Adventure Journey/Research – 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)

Residential Project (Gold only) – 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 entered 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.

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 is now closely affiliated with Scouting Ireland. It is integrated into the new 'One Program' for those who are at the qualifying age. Scouting Ireland has an award scheme called the Chief Scout Award which is an award that runs in conjunction with the Gaisce, although it is considered by many to be more difficult. Scout, Venture Scout, and Rover Scout Chief Scout Awards are affiliated with the Bronze, Silver and Gold Gaisce Awards. Through the Chief Scout Award you can in turn earn your Gaisce, but this does not work the other way around; if you have completed your Gaisce you do not receive your Chief Scout Award as well. All leaders who have been invested into Scouting Ireland and who have the appropriate training can take the role of being a PAL, if they so desire.

Bronze Award (15+ years)

All Participants must undertake a further 3 months in either the Service, Skills or Physical Recreation.

Silver Award (16+ years)

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)

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.

Joint Award Initiative

In Northern Ireland participants completing the Duke of Edinburgh's Award can choose to accept a certificate from the Gaisce or an International Award Certificate instead of a Duke of Edinburgh certificate.

References

Gaisce – The President's Award Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

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