Connelly Foundation Scholarships
Full scholarships (a $500 value) are available for our Spirit of America Youth Leadership program – a transformative four-day residential program that engages high school students in grades 10-12 from across the country with the first principles of freedom.
Who Can Receive this Scholarship?
Students in grades 10-12 who attend greater Philadelphia-area Catholic high schools are eligible for full Spirit of America Youth Leadership scholarships, courtesy of the Connelly Foundation.
Up to 5 scholarships are available for each Catholic high school and cover all costs including program fees. Participants in the Spirit of America program sponsored by the Connelly Foundation will be asked to promote civic responsibility among their fellow students upon returning to school by exercising their leadership skills, offering a good example, and helping to implement a culture of civic engagement at their schools. For questions or more information, please contact us at spiritofamerica@ffvf.org.
Students in grades 10-12 who attend the following schools are eligible for this scholarship:
Archbishop John Carroll High School
Archbishop Ryan High School
Archbishop Wood High School
Bishop Shanahan High School
Cardinal O’Hara High School
Conwell-Egan Catholic High School
Father Judge High School for Boys
Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls
Saints John Neumann & Maria Goretti Catholic High School
Lansdale Catholic High School
Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls
Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School
Pope John Paul II High School
Roman Catholic High School for Boys
West Catholic Preparatory High School
Academy of Notre Dame de Namur
Country Day School of the Sacred Heart
Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School
Devon Preparatory School
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School
Holy Ghost Preparatory School
La Salle College High School
Malvern Preparatory School
Martin Saints Classical High School
Mercy Vocational High School
Merion Mercy Academy
Mount Saint Joseph Academy
Nazareth Academy High School
Regina Luminis Academy
Saint Joseph’s Preparatory School
Villa Joseph Marie High School
Villa Maria Academy
2023 Spirit of America Program Sessions for
Connelly Scholarship Students
To sign up, please click on a date above to complete the registration process.
To prepare for your trip, download the Spirit of America PDF below.
FAQ
Cost
What is the cost and what is included?
Students who attend any of the schools listed above can attend our all-inclusive, four-day program FREE of charge thanks to generous funding provided by the Connelly Foundation. This free opportunity includes a dormitory-style room with a bathroom, meals, historic site visits and transportation to the sites, and program instruction.
Campus
What are the sleeping arrangements?
Freedoms Foundation’s campus has three dormitory buildings. Rooms can sleep two, three, four, or five students, and all rooms have either a private bathroom or a jack & jill bathroom. Bedding, pillows, and towels are included.
Can the building accommodate my needs?
Though the campus was built in the 1960s and 70s, every building has a ramp entrance, and we have rooms that can accommodate various needs. Our tour buses have handicap and wheelchair entrances. Some historical sites may not be ADA accessible.
General
What should students pack?
We suggest the following: comfortable clothes; one pair of walking shoes; weather-appropriate gear; dress/formal outfit for presentation and banquet; charge cord for phone; necessary medications; and spending money for souvenirs.
Will students have free time?
Students’ experience will be filled with exciting content balanced with free time with your peers. Our campus includes an indoor game room, outdoor basketball, and volleyball courts, and plenty of open space for pickup games.
Does FFVF have wifi?
We offer free wifi to our program attendees.
How much is physical activity involved?
There is a moderate amount of walking on our campus and at historic sites.
How much money should students bring?
Since this is an all-inclusive journey, there are only two real reasons for students to bring money: souvenirs and snacks. Everything else, including all meals, is included.
What about class time missed?
Travel is a great learning experience, especially when you travel with Freedoms Foundation. This is not a vacation but an educational experience. Participants will visit one-of-a-kind historical locations and learn about thinkers, inventors, artists, scientists, and politicians who accomplished great things while also gaining insight into how people lived their day-to-day lives.
What if students miss games and practice?
This is a once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity, and as such, we ask parents and students to weigh it next to other commitments like sports and work. If possible, it is always helpful when the school administration alerts coaches of impending class travel, giving them adequate time to adjust schedules.
What are your cancellation and refund policies?
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge reserves the right to cancel a program due to weather emergency, low attendance, or other unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. Should Freedoms Foundation cancel a program, full refunds will be made to all clients.
Cancellations must be received in writing and either emailed (education@ffvf.org), faxed 610.935.0522, or mail (PO Box 67, Valley Forge, PA 19481).
Cancellations made prior to 30 days before the start of a program will receive a full refund less the non-refundable deposit (variable by program). Refunds will be issued in the same form payment was made. Please allow two weeks for processing.
Cancellations made 30 days or less before the start of a program are subject to a Freedoms Foundation credit less the deposit and any non-refundable expenses (such as tickets or meals) which cannot be refunded, credited, or transferred.
Cancellations made less than 48 business hours before departure will receive no refund, credit, or transfer.
Additional Opportunities
Additional scholarships are available to students who do not necessarily meet the criteria above. If you are interested in a scholarship, or if you would like to pay directly to attend a program, please contact us.

Donate Today
Supporting America’s first principles of freedom is essential to ensure future generations understand and cherish the blessings of liberty. With your donation, we will reach even more young people with the truth of America’s unique past, its promising future, and the liberty for which it stands. Help us prepare the next generation of leaders.