In addition to promoting the study of history and academic competition among high school students, the National History Bee and Bowl is pleased to participate in the following outreach activities:
Partnership with AFS-USA Intercultural Programs
The National History Bowl is thrilled to announce its partnership with AFS-USA, the world’s standard-bearer for international high school exchange and intercultural education. In 1947, AFS (formerly the American Field Service) exchanged the first 52 students among 11 countries formerly at war; sixty-three years later, the organization continues to work toward a more just and peaceful world by providing international and intercultural learning experiences to individuals, families, schools, and communities through a global volunteer partnership. Today, AFS has grown to a global network which includes over 50 partner organizations, 400,000 alumni (including 1998 AFS alumnus, U.S. to Austria, David Madden and 2001 alumna, U.S. to Chile, Samantha Ross) and 42,000 volunteers who help facilitate the exchanges of over 12,000 students each year. In 2010, with the support of more than 6,000 U.S. based volunteers, AFS-USA sent more than 1,100 American students to over 40 international destinations and hosted more than 2,500 students here in the United States.
AFS-USA is recognized as a leader by numerous charity watchdog groups, including the Better Business Bureau, Charity Navigator, and The American Institute of Philanthropy. This past year, The Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) honored AFS-USA for 25 years of consecutive accreditation.
Be on the lookout for AFS-USA Volunteers at National History Bee and Bowl events in your areas this fall/winter! For more information about how AFS-USA is getting involved with the National History Bee and Bowl, visit AFS’s website at www.afsusa.org
Partnership with The Fisher House Foundation
The National History Bee and Bowl is excited to announce a partnership with the Fisher House Foundation, one of America’s leading veterans’ charities. The Fisher House Foundation provides housing free of charge to veterans and their families while veterans are receiving medical treatment at military bases and hospitals throughout the USA. There are now 45 Fisher Houses and more are being planned. Together, they serve over 10,000 military families a year, and since its founding, the Fisher House Foundation has offered more than 3 million days of free lodging to veterans and their families. Additionally, the Fisher House Foundation is one of the few veterans’ charities to receive an A+ (the highest possible rating) from the charity watchdog group, the American Institute of Philanthropy. Perhaps President Obama had this in mind when he selected the Fisher House Foundation to be a recipient of a portion of his Nobel Peace Prize money.
Throughout the 2010-2011 academic year, the National History Bee and Bowl will be raising funds and spreading awareness for the Fisher House Foundation at our tournaments. All funds raised will be donated for the use of the Fisher House nearest the tournament site.
History Tournaments for Senior Citizens
Why should high school students have all the fun?! Academic competition can be a fun and rewarding activity for people of all ages, and with this in mind, the National History Bee and Bowl will be running a number of tournaments for senior citizens over the coming academic year. These tournaments will feature questions tailor-made for seniors, with a focus on events they have experienced throughout their lives. If you are a senior citizen or affiliated with an organization that runs events for seniors (e.g. a senior citizens center or a senior living facility) and would like more information, please email Executive Director David Madden at director@historybowl.com.