# Spirit of America Youth Leadership

Four-day residential civics conference on the Freedoms Foundation's Valley Forge campus for grades 9-12: mock congressional debates, a free enterprise challenge, and historic site visits. $850 with aid available.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | Founding Forward (Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge) |
| Category | leadership |
| Cost | $850 |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 9–12 |
| Format | In person |
| Location | Valley Forge, PA |
| Program dates | 2026-10-22 to 2026-10-25 |
| Apply | https://foundingforward.org/students/spirit-of-america/ |

## About this program

# Spirit of America Youth Leadership

Spirit of America is the flagship student program of Founding Forward, the organization operating the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge campus. It is a four-day residential conference on American founding principles, run 10 to 15 times a year so students from across the country can attend a session that fits their school calendar.

## What You'll Do

- Take part in mock congressional debates on live policy questions
- Compete in a free enterprise challenge on entrepreneurship and economics
- Visit historic sites around Valley Forge and the Philadelphia area
- Work through sessions on civil rights, civic responsibility, citizenship, and public policy
- Live on the Valley Forge campus with students from other states for the full four days

## Who Should Apply

High school students in grades 9-12 from anywhere in the United States. No prior civics coursework is required. Sessions fill individually, so applicants pick a specific date rather than a single annual cycle.

## Outcomes

Tuition is $850, covering three nights of on-campus accommodation, four days of meals, and all programming. Financial aid is substantial: Founding Forward states that many students attend free of charge through donor, chapter, and partner-organization sponsorships, with sponsorship status communicated after registration.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does Spirit of America Youth Leadership cost?

Spirit of America Youth Leadership costs $850. Many paid programs offer need-based financial aid or fee waivers — check the official site before ruling it out.

### Who is eligible for Spirit of America Youth Leadership?

Spirit of America Youth Leadership is open to high school students in grades 9–12. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is Spirit of America Youth Leadership online or in person?

Spirit of America Youth Leadership is an in-person program based in Valley Forge, PA.

### How do I apply to Spirit of America Youth Leadership?

Apply directly through Founding Forward (Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge)'s official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-28.
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