Wrapping up an impactful summer…
In June and July alone, Founding Forward hosted:
- 13 teacher professional development seminars
- Our first-ever day camp for middle school students
- The inaugural Debate & Leadership Institute, in partnership with the Bill of Rights Institute, for high school students
- Multiple sessions of our Spirit of America Youth Leadership Program
That’s more than 520 teachers and hundreds of students we have educated and inspired with a history-based understanding of our country’s founding principles.
We also continued our popular speaker programs which featured topics on domestic policy, hate speech and the First Amendment, the Constitution, and conversations with special guests including Medal of Honor recipient Ryan Pitts. Programs were held at various locations including our Valley Forge campus, Liberty Hill, and Torresdale (with one sold out next week at National!).
Plus, our advanced leadership development workshop for exceptional high school students, Service Learning in Public Policy, started just yesterday, August 3.
When you consider the number of students each teacher will reach throughout their career, and the future impact that each student will have, we are making immeasurable progress to ensure a future rooted in liberty.
Applications open for new fall teacher professional development opportunities
We are already receiving applications for our newly announced fall teacher seminars. We have expanded into fall with multiple three-day seminars and will host our first one-day seminar.
We’re excited to offer these increased opportunities and variety of formats as we continue to grow our programs. Topics include:
- Fourteenth Amendment: Origins and Interpretation (September 12-14)
- In Their Own Words: The Civil War Soldier Experience (October 23)
- Cold War Collapse (November 12-14)
Thanks to a generous donor, teachers can attend tuition-free, including lodging and most meals, plus a stipend to help cover travel expenses.
Exciting student programs continue
This summer is busy with student programs: two Spirit of America sessions plus two new programs we piloted – a Day Camp for middle school students and Debate and Leadership Institute for high school students.
There are more Spirit of America programs coming this fall. Learn more about this inspiring opportunity for high school students to engage in the first principles of freedom while developing leadership skills and building friendships. Students can apply now for our October and November sessions!
We’re not only teaching history, we’re caring for it
Our responsibility to help restore and preserve the historic locations of the Union League of Philadelphia, maintain and update our Valley Forge campus, and steward the collections in our care supports our education mission.
While the Union League freshens up the first-floor Broad Street hallway, Founding Forward is assisting as stewards of the art collection. We have worked with League staff and the professionals at MSS (Movers Specialty Service) to remove and/or protect the artwork that normally hangs in that space.
At our Valley Forge campus, Founding Forward contracted sculpture conservator Doug Martenson to clean the Bill of Responsibilities sculpture. Installed in 1985, this sculpture stands close to the campus entrance and was in need of a good cleaning. After scrubbing the surface grime and dirt away, he finished the project by inpainting the lettering and polishing the bronze eagle that sits atop the sculpture. You can track the progress of our work and learn more about items in our collections by following us on social media.
Speaker Programs
Upcoming speakers include a sold-out program with our own Historian Emeritus, Jim Mundy, plus authors and panelists representing leading experts and thinkers.
- September 11: Library Hour: Jefferson, Adams, and the Lost Art of Civic Friendship, with Monticello President Jane Kamensky
- September 25: Library Hour: Do We Still Like Ike? Eisenhower’s Legacy with Dr. Ronald Granieri, Professor of History in the Department of National Security and Strategy at the United States Army War College
- October 7: Public Affairs: China: Rise of a Superpower, a panel discussion
- October 28: Liberty Series: Inside the Supreme Court, a panel discussion
- November 20: Liberty Series: Buckley at 100 with Charles C.W. Cooke
Speaker programs are always being added. Stay up to date as we add new programs by following us on social media (@FoundingForward) or checking out Founding Forward’s speaker program calendar to see all the exciting things happening.
With your help, we are creating a future rooted in liberty.
When students return to classrooms this fall, thousands of them will benefit from the influence of our history-based approach to civic education. Teachers who attended our seminars will incorporate their Founding Forward experiences into their lesson plans. Students who attended our youth leadership programs will view what they learn through a perspective shaped by understanding our country’s founding principles.
This is made possible through the support of our voluntary donors.
Help us have an even bigger impact through your continued or new support.