2008-2009 YOUTH ACTIVITIES PROGRAM

Due to the time limitations in preparing the Awards for the 2009 State Convention, judging will

be based on the May 1, 2008 through April 30, 2009 Department Activity report.

Awards will be based on the following point system:

1.  Two (2) Points for each month a youth project is credited on the Department Activity  

     Report

            2.  Ten (10) Points for sponsoring or co-sponsoring a Voice of Democracy entry.

            3.  Ten (10) Points for sponsoring or co-sponsoring a Patriot’s Pen entry.

            4.  Ten (10) Points for sponsoring or co-sponsoring an Eagle Scout entry.                

5.  Ten (10) Points for sponsoring or co-sponsoring a youth to the Michigan Freedom

                 Academy.

            6.  Ten (10) Points for volunteering time or money to the National Home for Children.

            7.  Three (3) Points for recognizing a Youth Hero.

Plaques will be presented to the top Post in each division and a citation to the Posts that finished second and third in their division.  The divisions are based on June 30, 2008 membership as follows:

            Division I        10-150            

            Division II       151-250                                             

            Division III     251-450                      

            Division IV     451-over                                             

A plaque will be presented to the District and County Council with the highest average per Post point total.

All projects must be reported on the proper Department Report Form and sent to the Department.

DO NOT SEND TO THE DIRECTOR.       

Department of Michigan VFW

                                                924 North Washington

                                                Lansing, MI  48906

Be sure you read your programs and due dates for each program.

When reporting your Youth Activities remembers to do the following:

            *** Report all activities on the 10th of each month.

            *** Keep a copy of all your reports.

            *** Check your monthly Department Activities Report.

A sampling of possible activities within each category is listed below.

            Category 1:    Sports/Athletics - Track, basketball, softball, baseball, bowling, soccer, swimming, special Olympics, hockey or any sport or athletic sponsorship.

Category 2:    Scouting/Organization - Boy Scouts, Explorers, Eagles, Girl Scouts, Brownies, Cub Scouts, Boys and Girl Clubs of America, Naval Sea Cadets, Sons of the VFW, Future Farmers of America,  4-H clubs and any other youth organization sponsorship.

Category 3:    Contests/Special Events - Parades, talent shows, picnics, dances, fishing derbies, walk-a-thon, rifle/pistol competitions, and bike-a-thons.

Category 4:    Educational /Instruction - Ceramics, stamp collecting, model building, leather craft, missing children (child ID).

Category 5:    Recognition/ROTC/JROTC - Achievement award, (medal and citation), Eagle Scout Award Certificate, Honor Certificates for students or other Trophy/Plaque Presentation.  Honor Certificates for young people doing heroic deeds such as saving a life.

Category 6:    Projects/Others - Build or repair, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, playgrounds, donate equipment, and National Home, Camp Trotter contributions.  Use your imagination in this category.

The Michigan Freedom Academy (Investing in Michigan’s Youth) is a program that all Posts and

Auxiliaries should be interested in.  Booklets will be available from myself or Department

Headquarters.

Support the youth in your community and report your activities as soon as a project is completed

or a contribution is made.  Our goal is to have all Posts reported by the Fall Conference.  Report

your activities in a timely manner. (Remember by the 10th of each month).

Norm Mikkelsen, Director

4860 Grace Street

Montague, Michigan 49437

Email: normval@verison.net