Youth Activities & Education includes VFW participation and volunteerism in sports and athletics, scouting, ROTC, 4-H, and other local community youth activities. It also includes youth development, scholarships, and recognition.

Education is defined to be patriotic education at all grade levels: Pledge of Allegiance, flag education, patriotic holidays (Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Loyalty Day, Independence Day, and Flag Day). And it means recognizing teachers in elementary, middle, and high schools that promote citizenship education with their students.

The VFW's partnership with the Boy Scouts of America includes the sponsoring of more than 1,200 Scouting units with 40,000 members across the nation. Each year a scout is recognized as VFW "Scout of the Year" and receives a $10,000 scholarship.

Citizenship Teacher of the Year Awards

Founded in 1899, the Veterans of Foreign Wars is concerned with the education of America’s youth. VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary have developed a slate of programs dedicated to this endeavor. VFW’s Citizenship Education program stimulates interest in America’s history, traditions, institutions, civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism.

VFW wants to identify and recognize America’s best educators who instill a sense of national pride in students. VFW offers cash awards, commemorative plaques and all expenses-paid trips to the nation’s capital for these worthy teachers. The trip will provide an opportunity for winners to exchange ideas.

Teachers care deeply about America and its children. They’re concerned about the perpetuation of America’s noblest traditions and highest ideals. Teachers who promote civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism are prime candidates for this award. For example, do you know a teacher who plans field trips to city hall or organizes community volunteer projects? Maybe you know an instructor who invites veterans into the classroom to discuss their military experiences. Perhaps you are familiar with a teacher who fosters the development of democratic values and beliefs through special projects. If you know of such a teacher, honor him or her today with the VFW’s National Citizenship Education Teacher Award. Fill out the nomination form available online by clicking here.

Youth Scholarship and Recognition

Every year, hundreds of thousands of students participate in the Voice of Democracy Oral Essay Competition and the Patriot's Pen Essay Contest, garnering more than $3.4 million in scholarships and incentives. In addition to VFW's outstanding scholarship programs, Posts and Auxiliaries across the nation work with youth in scouting, sports, ROTC and military cadet programs. By providing leaders, funding, sponsorships and other resources, the VFW and its Auxiliaries encourage millions of America's young adults to higher ideals and greater personal achievement.

For more information concerning any of the youth scholarship programs, contact VFW National Headquarters or your local VFW Post.

Voice of Democracy Oral Essay Contest

The Voice of Democracy (VOD) scholarship program is an audio-essay contest for high school students in grades 9-12 that annually provides more than $3 million in scholarships. The first-place winner, who competes with all the first-place VFW Department winners, receives a $30,000 scholarship that is paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school.
Besides competing for the top scholarship prize, as well as other national scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $16,000, each Department's first-place winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

The VOD program is designed to foster patriotism by allowing students the opportunity to voice their opinion in a three to five minute essay based on an annual theme.

Students can enter by submitting the required entry form, along with their essay and recording to a local VFW Post. To find a post in your area, click here or look in the white pages of your local phone directory. You may also call the VFW National Programs office during normal business hours at 816-968-1117. For entry form, click here. Mail entry form and audio essay to the local VFW post. Further directions are listed on the entry form.

Patriots' Pen Written Essay Contest

Patriot's Pen, a youth-essay writing contest s a nationwide competition that gives students in grades 6,7 and 8 the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Annually, more than 115,000 students participate in the contest. Contestants write a 300-400 word essay based on an annual patriotic theme. The first-place winner receives a $10,000 savings bond and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. The top national winners each receive a savings bond anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000.

Students can enter by submitting the required entry form, along with their essay, to a local VFW Post. To find a post in your area, click here or look in the white pages of your local phone directory. You may also call the VFW National Programs office during normal business hours at 816-968-1117. For entry form, click here. Mail entry form and essay to the local VFW post. Further directions are listed on the entry form.

Youth Cadet Awards Program; VFW awards for special recognition of outstanding achievement and exceptional leadership are available for Junior and Senior ROTC programs, Naval Sea Cadets and Civil Air Patrol Cadets. These awards provide you an outstanding opportunity to honor these patriotic young people. Contact a local VFW post to start the nomination process.