Gaisce - the President's Awards

About The Award
Academic achievement is very important but there is more to you than your degree.

You know that you like a challenge, that you have many skills and talents that you would like to develop. So while at college, why not sign up for the highest award in Ireland for young adults - Gaisce - the President's Award? You will get involved in your community, develop or improve a skill, play a sport and undertake an adventurous journey. In return you will receive the prestigious Gaisce Medal and Certificate signed by patron President Mary McAleese. You will also have a great sense of achievement and success while discovering more about yourself.

What’s it all about?
Gaisce - the President’s Award works on the basis of a personal challenge set by you. You will set the challenge and agree it with a President’s Award leader. You won’t be competing with other participants as each challenge is completely individual, so the only person you’ll compete with is yourself.

How does it work?
There are three different types of award that you can earn – bronze, silver and gold.

How to earn an award?
There are 4 different challenge areas. To earn an award, you will need to participate in each of the 4 challenge areas. You might decide to build on an activity you’ve tried in the past. Each participant must participate in at least one new activity to earn an award.

Our 4 challenge areas are:

1. Community Involvement, e.g. scout leadership, first aid, tidy towns, volunteering.
2. Personal Skill, e.g. computers, performance, arts & crafts, media.
3. Physical Recreation, e.g GAA, athletics, soccer, rugby, tennis, boxing.
4. Adventure Journey, e.g. an expedition on foot or horseback, or by bike or canoe.

A Residential Project is required for the Gold Award. This involves a shared activity with a group in a residential setting for 5 days and 4 nights, e.g. Irish language or mountaineering leadership course, care home work, Lourses volunteership.

Who can compete for the President’s Award?
The Award programme is open to all young people between the ages of 15 and 25. Anyone can take part as long as you’re self-motivated and up to the challenge.

Further Information
Please visit www.gaisce.ie and/or check out the Gaisce Society in your college.