“Project
American Life is an outstanding educational opportunity
and Shelby County is fortunate
to have it located in our own back yard. It teaches
the core values that made America great
and inspires each participant – teacher and child to
live the American Dream...”
- Beth Chapman, Alabama
Secretary of State
The Ultimate Educational Adventure!
Project
American Life of Alabama serves hundreds of
students each and every season through its program held
at YMCA Hargis Retreat -- over 200 acres of wooded
splendor. This secluded nature paradise is just outside
of Birmingham -- 15 miles off I-459 down highway 280
in Chelsea. The fully modern facilities include a dining
hall and rustic lodges overlooking a pristine lake.
The dining facilities offer a variety of wholesome food
options at every meal. The major lodges hold 100 and
50 campers respectively with each wing having its own
bathroom suite as well as private sleeping and meeting
rooms for teachers. Additionally, there are meeting
spaces, a gymnasium, play fields, an amphitheater, and
miles of scenic trails.
Emily Hudson is the current president of The Refuge (a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization founded by Jamie Aiken in 1991).
Emily is also the executive director of its P.A.L.
franchise ~ the original program in the great state
of Alabama. Emily’s journey with P.A.L. began
as a teacher where she demonstrated her talent for engaging,
even transforming, young lives. As her enthusiasm and
dedication were obvious, she quickly assumed new roles
of leadership within the organization ~ going from teacher
to director to corporate president.
Emily
Hudson - President & Executive Director
To
see pictures from Hargis, click here!
Quotes
about P.A.L. Staff
Click
here for P.A.L. Brochure
Hargis
Main Office: (205) 678-6512
P.A.L. Director: (256) 454 - 2204
YMCA Hargis Retreat
928 Hargis Drive
Chelsea, AL 35043
A Few Details…
Upon their arrival, students are
divided into small groups of 8 - 10. These small groups allow students to
receive individual attention and also allow them to form lasting bonds with the
other members of their group as well as their Project American Life
instructor. All P.A.L. instructors are carefully selected based on
their experience, character, and desire to have a positive impact on the lives
of students. In addition, all instructors participate in an extensive training
program and must pass thorough background checks.
The Declaration of Independence
and The Constitution are the primary moral foundations. Additionally, P.A.L.
uses its comprehensive, one-of-a-kind curriculum: “Building the City on
a Hill.” Each day fundamental questions of meaning are
explored: "Who? What? Where? and Why?" This Socratic paradigm is
clearly both personal and profound. It works to invigorate the innate sense of
wonder within children, and to therein seize the moment: To inspire young
people towards the pursuit of virtue. P.A.L.’s curriculum is structured
around The Four Pillars of Citizenship: Clarity * Compassion *
Courage * Commitment.
These virtues are examined via a
series of hands-on activities and simulations that demand
intellectual rigor and the subsequent expansion of critical
thinking skills. At P.A.L., young people are
given the opportunity to use their own minds, to examine
their own hearts, and to consider for themselves the
ever-present miracles of life. During the four-day
adventure, participants discover that in asking, they
really do receive; in seeking, they actually can find;
and in knocking on the doors of their greatest dreams,
the doors will truly begin to swing open. This is not
our lofty hope, but a tangible reality.
Declaration Virtues
At the heart of the Project
American Life philosophy is the belief that there are core virtues that can
be shared regardless of ethnic, religious, or cultural differences. The
Declaration of Independence gives us all a shared foundation for our worth, a
reason for our rights, and a compass for our dreams: "We hold these
truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The Constitution takes these
noble principles and creates an enduring blueprint for just such a Republic.
Its bedrock is found in three simple words: "We the people...”
Visiting Teacher’s Role
Visiting teachers have minimal
duties that include supervision of student cabins at night. Project
American Life employs professional instructors who handle all teaching and
programming experiences. Visiting teachers can participate in all of the
excitement without any of the hassles. They may join a group for a select adventure,
take an extended coffee break in the teacher’s lounge, catch up on lesson
plans, or simply have a quiet walk by the lake. Teachers return to their
schools like Triumphant Generals, not exhausted foot soldiers.
Program Fees
The cost of the four-day,
ten-meal, complete program is $210 per student. There is a 65-student
minimum. The school is responsible for having a sufficient number of cabin
chaperones (1 for every 15 students). There is a $300 fee for each cabin
chaperone that Project American Life has to provide. There is a $200
fee for each additional chaperone that is not necessary. Teachers and
Principals Always Attend Free!
• A Reservation Fee of $500 is
required to reserve your school’s space on the calendar. This fee is waived
for returning schools.
• A Deposit of $25 per student is
due 4 weeks prior to attending or near the beginning of the school year for
schools reserving time in September.
• The balance of payment is due
upon your group’s arrival. Any adjustments in the form of additional payments
for last minute additions or refunds for overpayment will be made during your
week.
