I recently met with some representatives from the American Legion Posts in Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties. They are very eager to spread the word about some of their youth programs and wanted to make sure that homeschoolers knew they  are welcome to participate in the programs. 

In the past, the local Legion posts have  primarily worked with public schools and didn’t really know how to contact or include homeschoolers in Nebraska unless specific homeschoolers contacted them. They would like to change that and be more pro-active about getting the word out about the great youth programs available. The folks from the Legion are willing to have an informational meeting for the Omaha metro area within the next couple of weeks if there is interest in the programs. If you or someone you know would be interested in learning more about the following programs, please email or call me at sbaker5@cox.net or 332-4449.  

District competitions for Nebraska’s Oratorical contest are QUICKLY approaching in November. It is NOT too late to start! This is a great program. I participated when I was in junior high and high school in both the Oratorical contests and Girls’ State programs. They are wonderful opportunities that many youth in public schools are NOT taking advantage of today! Encourage your kids to stand up for their freedoms and the Constitution through programs like these! 

American Legion Youth Programs:http://www.nebraskalegion.net/programs.htm 

Oratorical Scholarship Program:http://www.legion.org/programs/youthprograms/oratorical

o   Junior (grades 5-8): 3-5 min speech with notecards

o   Senior (grades 9-12): 8-10 min speech, no notecards

o   Winners of local post contests will advance to District Contests.  Post and Districts may offer a cash award to winners of those contests 

·         Junior Law Cadet Program for young men and women who are Juniors in Highschool

http://www.nebraskalegion.net/juniorlaw.htm 

·         Cornhusker Boys’ and Girls’ State

http://www.cornhuskergirlsstate.org/

http://cornhuskerboysstate.org/blog/ 

·         American Flag protocol program (this can be done as a field trip…they can come to you or you can go to their post)

o   Instruction on the proper folding of the American Flag

o   Meaning of individual folds

o   Significance of the stars and strips

o   21 gun salute (with police officer present)

o   Bugle taps

o   Question and answer session 

The American Legion – Department of Nebraska: http://www.nebraskalegion.net/ 

The American Legion: http://www.legion.org/homepage.php 

Shana Baker