Youth Activities Nicole Panteleakos 2019-2020 National Ambassador

YOUTH ACTIVITIES

2019-2020 * ILLUSTRATING AMERICA * PATRIOTISM THROUGH LITERACY * R.A.P. COINS, SPORTS, SCOUTS, etc. * INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK

ILLUSTRATING AMERICA What is Illustrating America? A Patriotic Art-style contest for students in grades K-8.

CRITERIA ARE THERE SPECIFIC GUIDELINES LIKE THERE ARE WITH THE PATRIOTIC ART CONTEST? All art must be 2D (no sculptures, dioramas, etc.). All art must be at least size 8x10 and no larger than 18x24. All art must be on paper, cardboard, or canvas – no frames. No coloring pages, photography, or computer-created designs. No specific themes; encourage kids to share their own view of America. Feel free to encourage use of paints, crayons, colored pencils, charcoal… even glitter! American Flags do not need to have the correct number of stars and/or stripes.

AWARDS FOR ENTRANTS WILL THERE BE AWARDS FOR STUDENT ENTRANTS? Your Auxiliary can decide on awards for Auxiliary-level winners (recommended: 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place). NOTE: home-schooled kids and those who attend special needs schools are eligible! Whether you also hold the competition on a District level is entirely up to you, but not required. Submission/due dates are the same as Patriotic Art dates (Auxiliary: March 31st, Department: April 15th). Send your first place winners for each age category to National HQ to be judged by May 5th. National will give 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards to kids in each age category at the 2020 National Convention in Reno, Nevada.

PURPOSE & PRECEDENT Encouraging creativity, self-expression, and displays of patriotic art Get students excited about entering the Auxiliary’s Patriotic Art competition in the future Create one simplified-criteria contest that exists on a National level, building off local ones Connect with local families Generate positive publicity Build social media presence Top Left: Dist. 12, 3rd pl., Illinois Bottom Left: Aux 1523, 2nd pl., CT Right: Elementary school, NYC

EXAMPLES

PATRIOTISM THROUGH LITERACY What is Patriotism through Literacy? Helping youth learn about America through books, both historical fiction and creative nonfiction.

DETAILS WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PATRIOTISM THROUGH LITERACY? WHY Fosters a sense of patriotism through learning. Historical fiction immerses children in America’s past. Seeing through the eyes of another promotes empathy. Creative nonfiction teaches kids US history in a fun way. HOW Read historical fiction or creative non-fiction to kids at schools, libraries. Host a readathon, start a book club, or run a young writer’s workshop. Donate appropriate books to your local schools, libraries, or shelters.

RECOMMENDED READING

RECOMMENDED READING Lists of books broken down by fiction/non-fiction, age categories and /or by subject. While there are no bad book donations, please remember the Program’s purpose.

ADDITIONALLY Work together with other Programs Hand out R.A.P. cards/coins (have on hand) Sponsor a local sports team Work with Girl and Boy Scouts Apply for Citations to recognize local youth groups’ work with vets Get kids marching in your parades Get youth excited about the future

NATIONAL AWARDS AUXILIARY: DEPARTMENT: CITATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN/PROMOTION OF PATRIOTISM THROUGH LITERACY. CITATION and $50 TO ONE FOR TOP PARTICIPATION/PROMOTION IN PATRIOTISM THROUGH LITERACY. DEPARTMENT: CITATION TO CHAIRMAN FOR PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM. SERVING OUR VETERANS WITH ALOHA KEEPSAKE TO ONE CHAIRMAN IN EACH PROGRAM DIVISION FOR THE BEST PROMOTION OF ILLUSTRATING AMERICA. OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN EACH DIVISION BASED ON CRITERIA IN THE PROGRAM BOOK.

SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook, Instagram post pictures use hashtags (#) Local radio/TV ***Get permission to post photos of youth!