SPRINGFIELD – The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is celebrating America’s 250th birthday by offering Illinois teens new opportunities to explore vital public issues and hone their leadership skills in June. The ALPLM is opening its popular Future Presidents of America program to more students and also hosting the Illinois competitions in a national debate contest.
The week-long Future Presidents of America program introduces students to civics and government, offers leadership lessons and presents real-world challenges for young people to tackle. This year, students from anywhere in the nation can apply. Previously, it had been limited to students from central Illinois.
The presidential library also is serving as the Illinois partner in the Ronald Reagan Debate Series, an initiative of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. That means Illinois students can compete in June for cash prizes, scholarships and a trip to California for the national debate finals, all while learning new skills and studying important issues.
“Both these programs offer fun, creative ways for young people to learn about vital issues and civic engagement. These are the leaders of tomorrow, the people who will set the stage for America’s next 250 years,” said Christina Shutt, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
Information about the programs can be found at presidentlincoln.illinois.gov/america250.
Future Presidents of America, accepts just 24 young leaders ages 13-16 for a summer day camp that focuses on the qualities that make for great presidents, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Taking place June 8-12, it encourages participants to take a panoramic view of issues relevant to leaders, while immersing them in the amazing stories of real people making real choices that impacted the lives of millions. This year participants will also explore the enduring meaning of the Declaration of Independence through a featured session called “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written.”
Participants receive a full scholarship, covering all educational materials and lunch. Housing is not provided for participants who need to travel a distance to attend.
“The Future Presidents camp excites students by introducing them to new ideas and showing them new possibilities for the future. We are delighted that it will now be open to young people from across the state and even the nation,” said Cindy Klenke, the ALPLM education director.
The Ronald Reagan Debate Series brings students together to engage in meaningful discussions on real-world issues while honoring the enduring legacies of two presidents with Illinois roots – Lincoln and Reagan. This experience gives students the opportunity to explore important issues, share their perspectives and build confidence in a fun and supportive environment.
The Illinois competition takes place June 20. The debate topic will be whether presidential races should be decided by the Electoral College or the popular vote. Registration is free. Students do not need any previous debate experience, and a training session will be offered online June 2.
The mission of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is to inspire civic engagement through the diverse lens of Illinois history and share with the world the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. We pursue this mission through a combination of rigorous scholarship and high-tech showmanship built on the bedrock of the ALPLM’s unparalleled collection of historical materials – roughly 13 million items from all eras of Illinois history.
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