All Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Posts are encouraged to strengthen and expand their efforts to provide meaningful activities that enhance the moral and physical well- being of today’s action-oriented youth.

By sponsoring programs that promote physical fitness, strong moral character, and leadership development, every VFW Post has the opportunity to become a powerful force in preparing young people for the challenges of tomorrow. The need for effective and engaging youth programs has never been greater. This calls for a renewed commitment from all of us to actively support youth initiatives within our communities. Each Post should appoint a dedicated comrade who connects well with young people and understands the challenges they face locally.

Guidance and assistance are always available through your Department Chairman and committee members. Above all, remember that participation is the key to making a lasting impact. Please refer to the National Commander’s Manual/Section 5 – VFW Programs

CATEGORY 1 SPORTS/ATHLETICS: 

A youth athletic team sponsorship will qualify a Post/Auxiliary in this category.

CATEGORY 2 SCOUTING/ORGANIZATIONS:

Supporting Boys or Girls Scouting units or any worthwhile youth organization can qualify in this category. 

CATEGORY 3 CONTESTS/SPECIAL EVENTS:

any special event conducted in your local community that involves and benefits youth.

CATEGORY 4 EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION:

Many opportunities exist to teach children skills and/or experience or knowledge.  Service fair sponsorship! 

CATEGORY 5 RECOGNITION:

Recognize youth in your community for the achievements and honors they earn.  Sponsor them for Summer Camps or Workshops!  Check with your State Chairman for details on the listed programs 

1. Youth Cadet Awards Program – VFW awards for special recognition of Outstanding  Achievement and Exceptional Leadership are available for Junior and Senior OTC Programs, Naval Sea Cadets and Civil Air Patrol Cadets.  If any of these programs exist in your community, these awards provide your Post an outstanding opportunity to honor these patriotic young people.

2. Criteria for Civil Air Patrol and Naval Sea Cadets:

1. Good academic standing 

2. Satisfactory progress in the Cadet Program

3. Outstanding achievement in Community Service and/or the Cadet Program

4.  Outstanding Leadership in the Cadet program

5. High moral character

6. Exceptional professionalism in appearance and actions (Officer Award)

7. Outstanding Military Bearing and Conduct in and out of Uniform (NCO Award)

8. Involvement in Patriotic Programs, Drill Team, Color Guard, etc

9. Demonstrated potential and willingness to assume higher levels of responsibility

Additional Criteria for JROTC and SROTC Awards:

• For JROTC:

• Must be enrolled as a 10th - 12th grade JROTC student.

• For SROTC:

• Must be an undergraduate student enrolled in Military  Science I thru IV.

• Must maintain a "B” average in ROTC curriculum and a "C” average in all remaining subjects with no failing grades in the previous semester.

• Active in at least one other student extra-curricular activity (Music, Athletics, Government,  etc.).

CATEGORY 6 PROJECTS/OTHER

Do a project that improves or provides facilities for youth to participate in recreation or other positive activities.  The category can also be used to report activities not otherwise covered by the other five categories.  Check with your State Chairman for details on the listed programs. 

VFW Youth Hero Award:  A product of the VFW’s Life Saving Award is the Youth Hero Award.  Each year, the VFW reviews the files of those submitted for a Life Saving Citation from the Departments and pulls out all those recipients under 18 years of age at the time of their heroic act.

The VFW’s "Special Projects Judging Panel” reviews those submitted and selects one to receive a $2,000.00 U.S. Savings Bond and an expenses-paid trip (including a chaperone) to the National Convention.  Only those young people who have been nominated for a VFW Life Saving Award during the previous year will be eligible for this award.  National Deadline for all nominations is January 15. See the Life Savings Awards details in the National Commander’s Manual.

DEPARTMENT AWARDS:

First, Second, and Third place winners will receive a trophy/plaque presented by the State Chairman at the State Convention in June.  

NATIONAL SCOUT OF THE YEAR AWARD 

    National will recognize individuals who are: Eagle Scouts, Girl Scout Gold Award recipients, Venture Summit Award recipients and/or Sea Scout Quartermasters who have risen above their peers in exemplifying the qualities of that rank. 

To be eligible for the award, the candidate must:

• Be the recipient of the Eagle Scout Award, Girl Scout Gold Award, Venture Summit Award or Sea Scout Quartermaster Award.
• Be a registered, active member of a Boy or Girl Scout Troop,  Venturing Crew or Sea Scout Ship at the time the above reward was received.
• Have demonstrated exemplary citizenship in school, Scouting and community.
• Prior National Scout of the Year winners are ineligible. There is no minimum age requirement for applicants as long as all other eligibility criteria has been met. The maximum age requirement for applicants is 18 years old. If an applicant reaches their 18th birthday during the nomination year, they remain eligible as long as they are still in high school at the time of the submission deadline. A Scout may enter through only one VFW Post. 

DEADLINES:

• March 1 - Deadline for an entry to a VFW Post

• April 1 - Deadline for Post to submit an entry to the State Chairperson.

• May 1 - The Department winner will be selected and sent to VFW National.