Gaisce's mission is to contribute to the development of all young people through the achievement of personal challenges. The process is non-competitive, meaning that all participants who complete their challenges may receive the Gaisce. Awards can be entered directly (without a previous award) or indirectly (from a previous award). The award is presented at a regional ceremony by either a famous person (bronze/silver) or the President of Ireland (gold). There are four challenges in each award, which all must be completed outside of school activities (except
ECDL): • Community Involvement – Charity work, Help with a youth club, Green Schools,
Tidy Towns, Helping with children • Personal Skill – ECDL, Musical instrument, Dance, Singing lessons, Web design, Learn a foreign language (No sport allowed) • Physical Recreation – Walking, Cycling, Tennis, Badminton, Golf, Soccer, Gaelic, Rugby, Swimming, A marathon • Adventure Journey/Research – Adventure center, European walk/cycle, Mountain hike, Canoeing, (Those who would be unable to accomplish this due to a physical disability perform a suitable replacement activity such as research)
or • Residential Project (Gold only) – Volunteering in a foreign/3rd world country, Attend a sports coaching, Irish language course Every participant has the support of a President's Award Leader (PAL) who guides them through the challenges and sets appropriate activities.
Bronze Participants must be at least age 15 to enter. A minimum of one hour a week is required. There are five sections to complete; • Community Involvement – 13 weeks • Personal Skill – 13 weeks • Physical Recreation – 13 weeks • Additional activity in any section of your choice from the three above – 13 weeks • Adventure Journey/Research – Plan prepare and undertake a 2-day, 1 night adventure journey in a group covering a minimum total distance of: Walking 25–35 km
or Cycling 100–130 km over two consecutive days.
Silver Participants must be at least age 16 to enter. A minimum of one hour a week is required. There are five sections to complete if entering directly to the silver award with no previous Bronze Gaisce award, four if entered from with a Bronze award already received; • Community Involvement – 26 weeks • Personal Skill – 26 weeks • Physical Recreation – 26 weeks • Additional activity in any section of your choice from the three above – 26 weeks (not required if the participant has received the Bronze award) • Adventure Journey/Research – Plan prepare and undertake a 3-day, 2 night adventure journey in a group covering a minimum total distance of: Walking 50–79 km
or Cycling 190–220 km over 3 consecutive days.
Gold Participants must be at least age 17 to enter. A minimum of one hour a week is required. There are five sections to complete if entering directly to the gold award with no previous Silver Gaisce award, four if entered from with a silver award already received; • Community Involvement – 52 weeks • Personal Skill – 52 weeks • Physical Recreation – 52 weeks • Additional activity in any section of your choice from the three above - 26 weeks (not required if the participant has received the Silver award) • Adventure Journey/Research – Plan prepare and undertake a 4-day, 3 night adventure journey in a group covering a minimum total distance of: Walking 80–110 km
or Cycling 300–350 km over 4 consecutive days.
or • Residential Project – A shared activity with a group in a residential setting for 5 days and 4 nights. ==Affiliation with Scouting Ireland==