Skip to content
Education
Close Education
Open Education
Upcoming Programs
History Tour of the League House
History tours are a great way to learn more about the founding of The Union League of Philadelphia and its rich history.
Learn More
Public Affairs: State of the Nation with Andrew C. McCarthy
February 24, 2026
Join Founding Forward for a conversation with Andrew McCarthy on the state of the nation...
Learn More
Student Opportunities
Civic Explorers Day Camp
Debate & Leadership Institute
Spirit of America
Service Learning in Public Policy
Good Citizen Day
Scholarships
Liberty Leaders
History Encounters
Civic Explorers Day Camp
Debate & Leadership Institute
Spirit of America
Service Learning in Public Policy
Good Citizen Day
Scholarships
Liberty Leaders
History Encounters
Teacher Opportunities
Seminars
Joshua Chamberlain League
Teacher Ambassadors
Seminars
Joshua Chamberlain League
Teacher Ambassadors
Public Events & Exhibits
Speaker Programs
Exhibits
House Preservation
Historic Collections
Speaker Programs
Exhibits
House Preservation
Historic Collections
Events
Close Events
Open Events
All Events
2026 Give Me Liberty: A Civic Conference
All Events
2026 Give Me Liberty: A Civic Conference
About
Close About
Open About
About Us
Who We Are
Support Our Work
Strategic Plan
Campus Locations and Medal of Honor Grove
Board
Senior Fellows
Staff
Fundraising Practices and Philosophies
Who We Are
Support Our Work
Strategic Plan
Campus Locations and Medal of Honor Grove
Board
Senior Fellows
Staff
Fundraising Practices and Philosophies
Chapter Information
Find a Chapter
Start a Chapter in Your Area
Chapter Resources
Chapter News & Updates
Find a Chapter
Start a Chapter in Your Area
Chapter Resources
Chapter News & Updates
Our Chapters
Bay State, MA
Broward County, FL
Chase County, NE
Chattanooga, TN
Dallas, TX
Jacksonville, FL
Los Angeles County, CA
Monterey Bay Area, CA
New Orleans, LA
Bay State, MA
Broward County, FL
Chase County, NE
Chattanooga, TN
Dallas, TX
Jacksonville, FL
Los Angeles County, CA
Monterey Bay Area, CA
New Orleans, LA
Northern California, CA
Oklahoma City, OK
Pensacola, FL
Sacramento, CA
San Diego, CA
South Central, MT
Tucson, AZ
Utah
Valley Forge, PA
Northern California, CA
Oklahoma City, OK
Pensacola, FL
Sacramento, CA
San Diego, CA
South Central, MT
Tucson, AZ
Utah
Valley Forge, PA
Awards
Close Awards
Open Awards
Founding Forward Awards
Founding Forward presents awards to honor citizenship, leadership, and embodiment of our country’s founding principles.
Awards
National Awards
Good Citizenship Award
Youth Essay
National Awards
Good Citizenship Award
Youth Essay
News
Contact
Search
Donate
Spirit of America Youth Leadership
Spirit of America VIII
Student Application
"
*
" indicates required fields
X/Twitter
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Student Information
Name
*
First
Last
Address
*
Street Address
City
Alabama
Alaska
American Samoa
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Guam
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Northern Mariana Islands
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
U.S. Virgin Islands
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Armed Forces Americas
Armed Forces Europe
Armed Forces Pacific
State
Postal Code
School
*
Email
*
Gender
*
Male
Female
Other
Grade
*
9
10
11
12
Parent/Guardian Information
Name
*
First
Last
Cell Phone
*
Parent Email
Essay and Recommendation
When answering the written prompts in the application, please focus on expressing your own ideas and using your unique voice. The goal is to think critically and show your writing skills. While AI tools can be useful for research or grammar checks, they should not be used to write any part of your essay. You may use AI to find sources or clarify concepts, but the content, structure, and language must be entirely your own. This is an opportunity to showcase your thoughts and independent thinking. Let your work reflect your creativity, passion, and knowledge!
Application Essay
*
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Please attach a PDF of a one-page essay addressing the topic: Why do you want to come to Spirit of America and what do you hope to get out of it? Attachment must be 300 words or less and in a PDF format.
Letter of Recommendation
*
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Please attach a PDF of a one-page letter of recommendation from an individual (non-family) who can speak to why you would benefit from participating in Spirit of America. Attachment must be 300 words or less and in a PDF format.
Additional Information
How did you hear about our program?
*
Please select one
A teacher/educator/your school
A friend or family member
A past student participant of Founding Forward
Founding Forward Chapter
Founding Forward partner organization (i.e. VFW, National Sojourners, AMVETS, MOWW)
Founding Forward email
Founding Forward social media post
Founding Forward event or program
Other
Have you ever attended a Founding Forward program or event?
*
Please select one
Good Citizen Day
Spirit of America
Service Learning in Public Policy
Speaker program
Debate and Leadership Institute
Yes, but program is not listed
No, I have not previously attended a Founding Forward program or event
Are you related to a Union League Member?
*
(Please note that your answer to this question has no bearing on whether or not you will be accepted for this program.)
Yes
No
Union League Member Name
*
First
Last
Relationship to Applicant
*
Father
Father
Mother
Parent
Grandparent
Aunt
Uncle
Guardian
Union League Member ID Number
Are you in need of financial support to attend this program?
*
(Please note that your answer to this question has no bearing on whether or not you will be accepted for this program.)
Yes
No