Gaisce – The President’s Award

Gaisce – The President’s Award

Several members of Dundalk Youth Centre have recently been participating in a variety of activities in pursuit of the Gaisce President’s Award.

Gaisce is a direct challenge from the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, to young people aged 15-25 to dream big and realise their potential through personal, physical and community challenges.

Dundalk Youth Centre members Josh Challoner, Katie Conway, Chloe Gernon, Medbh McCourt and Sonia McKeown have been, over the past number of weeks, participating in such challenges with great success.

 

What is Gaisce?

The President’s Award is the National Challenge Award given by the President to young people in Ireland between the ages of 15 and 25 years. Recipients of the award get a medal in a presentation box, a certificate signed by the President and a lapel pin.

The purpose of the award is to reward young people who have set and achieved a demanding challenge for themselves in each of 4 different areas of activity:

  • Community involvement, for example, helping older people or learning first aid or lifesaving
  • Personal skill, for example, learning a musical instrument, computer skills or driving
  • Physical recreation, for example, swimming, football or tennis
  • Adventure journey, for example, a cycling, canoeing or hiking group trip.

To achieve the top level of award you must also participate in a residential project, for example, a residential Irish language course, a residential sports course or work in a care home.

Once you have achieved your personal challenges under the guidance of a President’s Award Leader (PAL), you will earn your award.

 

You can find much more information on the Gaisce award through their website or via Facebook and Twitter.