Education > Scout Programs
The Price of Freedom conference is an exclusive program for Scouts who have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout or Venturers who have earned the Silver Award and Sea Scouts who have earned the Quartermaster Award. The conference is a unique opportunity for scouts from across the United States to participate in a four day residence program which explores current issues, citizenship, patriotism, leadership and heroism. Participants have the opportunity to make history come to life as they tour colonial Philadelphia and Valley Forge National Historic Park. The program is designed to challenge the participants to understand the price paid for the freedoms we enjoy. Participants interact with speakers from across the United States to understand their role as American citizens and ambassadors of America throughout the world.
Leadership Skills workshops – participants will explore their leadership skills in sessions on teambuilding, communication and group dynamics
Speaker Presentations-The conference is highlighted by nationally known speakers on Citizenship, Freedom and Patriotism. Past speakers include:
Viktor Borovsky
Via Sikahema
Ed Ruggero
Bob Tryanski
Living History Presentations - Participants are able to interact with living history interpreters from George Washington to Abraham Lincoln.
“The portrayal of George Washington vividly captures the highlights of his career - his early years as a surveyor on the western frontier, the Revolutionary War and the crucial victories at Trenton and Princeton, the desperate winter at Valley Forge, and his call to the Presidency. We come to understand his strong sense of duty towards his public and political obligations, and his constant agony at the long separations from his beloved home and family.”
Each interactive presentation ends with a question and answer session. Presenters include:
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Martha Washington, Dolly Madison, Abraham Lincoln, Patrick Henry, General Grant.
Tours of Valley Forge and Philadelphia- Participants will visit the Site of Washington’s encampment in the winter of 1777 as well as America’s most historical square mile in Colonial Philadelphia. Sites visited will include:
Independence Hall
Liberty Bell
Congress Hall
Franklin Court
Betsy Ross House
Carpenter’s Hall
Recall of Valor – in this innovative discussion session participants gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Medal of Honor and sacrifices made by the Medal of Honor Recipients and others in the military.
There is no charge for the conference. The Return to Honor program is endowed by a grant. Participants must cover their own travel expenses to and from Valley Forge. The conference size is limited to 100 youth.
The Freedom foundation can customize weekend retreats for your troop. The retreat can consist of visits to Philadelphia, Valley Forge, Washington’s Crossing, and Lancaster led by the foundations costumed guides. The program also includes visits with Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and a colonial soldier. In addition, the talent Foundation staff can lead the scouts in a game of capture the flag, a scavenger hunt in the Medal of Honor Grove or a round of the Foundation’s –Chookee Wookee! Troops stay on the campus and enjoy all the recreational activities and food service. Camping packages are also available.
Trail of Freedom Program
| Day One | |
| 3:00-6:00 | Check in |
| 7:00 | Dinner |
| 8:00 | Living History – A Visit with George Washington |
| Day Two | |
| 7:00 | Breakfast |
| 8:00 | Depart for Philadelphia Tour Independence Hall Liberty Bell Congress Hall Franklin Court Betsy Ross House Carpenters Hall |
| 12:00 | Lunch at the Reading Terminal |
| 1:00 | Tour Additional Sites |
| 2:30 | Tour the National Constitution Center |
| 4:00 | Depart for Freedoms Foundation |
| 5:00 | Free Time – Football/Soccer/Volleyball/Gameroom |
| 7:00 | Dinner |
| 8:00 | Living History -A Visit with Thomas Jefferson |
| 9:00 | Capture the Flag/ Ghost Stories |
| Day Three | |
| 8:00 | Breakfast |
| 9:00 | Tour of Valley Forge |
| 12:00 | Depart for Home or additional sites in Philadelphia |
Prices vary according to group size and program.
