Liberty's Hope Achievement Program
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Liberty's Hope is an agency based achievement program.  Instead of a set list of requirements, parents, teachers, and mentors determine when a level of proficiency has been reached.  Local leaders maintain 100% oversight for their own group. 
  • A basic framework with instructions and forms that are easy to download. 
  • Incorporates all learning opportunities including school, church achievement programs, community sports programs, private music, dance, and art lessons.  
  • This program works for children in public school, private school, or home school.
  • It can be used for extra-curricular achievements or as guide for home school families to plan out a full education program. 
  • Local leaders can fill in the details to make the program work for their families and communities. 

Grandparents!!  This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate learning and achievements of your grandchildren.  Can you organize a family gathering once every three months to celebrate your grandchildren's achievements? That's all you need to do.  This program does not add one more thing to the parents of your grandchildren, instead it allows them to continue with the programs they have already selected.  Grandparents offer additional recognition and motivation for accomplishments of children. 

  • Children choose their own goals in four areas:  the heart, mind, might, and strength
  • Leaders and grandparents may provide opportunities for children to pursue their goals, offering guidance and instruction as necessary.
  • It is recommended to host an achievement recognition activity once every three months.  Local leaders decide how to recognize achievements (certificates and stickers, pins and buttons to put on a simple vest or sash, ribbons, etc.)
  • Children maintain a planner/portfolio to record their goals and accomplishments
Age Groups:  Participants in Liberty's Hope are divided into the following age groups  (Age group is determined by age as of January 1 in any calendar year).
Knickerbockers (ages 3-8)  These children may participate in all projects that parents deem appropriate for their child.  However, children are rewarded for participation only.  They will not be judged on skill ability until they reach the age of 8.  Parents should wait until a child has reached age 8 before asking children to complete all requirements for a project.  
Knights and Ladies of Liberty (ages 8-12)  These children may participate in all projects. Leaders and parents may choose to provide recognition badges and pins for their projects and experiences in their Academic Studies as well as extra-curricular activities. ​
Young Patriots for America(ages 12-18)  Teens are encouraged to continue to participate in all project areas and may also begin serving as youth leaders and mentors for younger children. ​
How It Works
Liberty’s Hope is a home-based achievement program for youth designed to teach the principles of liberty, skills of self-reliance, and character development to build the leaders of tomorrow. It is similar to community-based organizations such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or 4-H and is provided for children and teens ages 3-18. The primary difference between Liberty's Hope and other achievement programs is this program is completely home-based. The parents are the leaders, they design the programs and choose the mentors for their own children. If parents choose to create a neighborhood group, they are welcome to do so. Administration of the neighborhood group will be determined at the local level. Recognition may include badges and reward pins for project completion or if something simpler is needed certificate and stickers also work well. 

We share ideas on the Liberty’s Hope site that will help families create an achievement program that is based on the Heart-Mind-Might-Strength model that is explained here.    There are many resources to draw from for lesson plans and activity ideas.  All learning is celebrated within the Liberty's Hope achievements.  These include:
  • Lessons from public, private, and home school study
  • Sports and recreation activities
  • Private lessons in  music, dance, art, etc. 
  • Church activities
  • Family activities
Pins and badges may be purchased from a variety of retailers including:
 
Tracking Progress:  Participants are encouraged to maintain a portfolio to record progress.  The portfolio will include achievement certificates, project sheets, and journal notes for insights gained while working on projects.  Portfolios should illustrate progress and achievements in academic studies and extra-curricular activities.  
​Quarterly Activities:  Families and neighborhood groups may conduct a recognition/activity event four times a year to encourage participation and achievement.  Suggested activities include a Health and Fitness event, Performing Arts Event, Speech and Literacy Event, and a Patriotic Event. 

​Achievement pins and badges:  Leaders of a community or family Liberty's Hope program may decide on how to recognize achievements.  They may use certificate, ribbons, pins, patches, or buttons.  Ribbons and certificates can be easily stored in a binder.  Pins, patches, and buttons can be displayed on a simple vest or sash.  We recommend a recognition night once every three months to celebrate achievements.  Buttons, pins, and patches of many varieties are available through several sources.  Vests or sashes can be purchased or made.  
The following badges and pins work well on a vest or sash:  
  • Pins:
    • Life skills awards (one for each year in the program - see skill list in portfolio booklet)
    • Service awards (for designated hours of service each year;  25 hours for Knickerbockers;  40 hours for Knights and Ladies;  60 hours for Young Patriots)
    • Leadership awards
  • Badges
    • for each topic explored in greater depth;  completion determined on parent, leader, or selected mentor