Gaisce – The President's Award which is often simply called "Gaisce" is an Irish award earned by young people between the ages of 15 and 25 for participating inseveral 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 during the term of Mary Robinson.
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 childrenPersonal 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 marathonAdventure 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)or
Residential Project (Gold only) – Volunteering in a foreign/3rd world country, Attend a sports coaching, Irish language course
BronzeParticipants 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 weeksPersonal Skill – 13 weeksPhysical Recreation – 13 weeksAdditional activity in any section of your choice from the three above – 13 weeksAdventure 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.SilverParticipants 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 weeksPersonal Skill – 26 weeksPhysical Recreation – 26 weeksAdditional 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.GoldParticipants 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 weeksPersonal Skill – 52 weeksPhysical Recreation – 52 weeksAdditional 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).
JAMIE QUIGLEY
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 during the term of Mary Robinson.
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 childrenPersonal 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 marathonAdventure 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)or
Residential Project (Gold only) – Volunteering in a foreign/3rd world country, Attend a sports coaching, Irish language course
BronzeParticipants 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 weeksPersonal Skill – 13 weeksPhysical Recreation – 13 weeksAdditional activity in any section of your choice from the three above – 13 weeksAdventure 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.SilverParticipants 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 weeksPersonal Skill – 26 weeksPhysical Recreation – 26 weeksAdditional 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.GoldParticipants 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 weeksPersonal Skill – 52 weeksPhysical Recreation – 52 weeksAdditional 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).
JAMIE QUIGLEY