Project American Life

1. Project American Life P.A.L. is a trademark of The Refuge (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization)

2. What is Project American Life? a.) P.A.L. is a four-day residential experience “Where America’s Founding Principles Come to Life!” Its trademarked experiential classes, simulations, and teaching methods create “The Ultimate Educational Adventure” for thousands of middle school students annually.

3. What is P.A.L.’s Mission Statement? Project American Life rekindles America’s founding principles by inspiring young people to understand and appreciate our Founders’ noble ideals, sacred honor, and ultimate sacrifices ~ thus compelling a new generation to uphold these standards in all aspects of their lives.

4. Why is P.A.L. so urgently needed? America is steadily losing the principles that gave birth to this great country. Apathy and ignorance abound. P.A.L. engages these bitter enemies on the front lines… and WINS! To win back the soul of our nation, America needsmore P.A.L.s~ from sea to shining sea.

5. Who attends Project American Life? Schools attend P.A.L. as an extended field trip. During the four-day adventure, students receive academic challenges far exceeding that which is possible in a classroom. See how P.A.L. fulfills state and national standards: www.projectamericanlife.com

6. What is the worldview of P.A.L.? It is precisely the same as America’s Founders. Project American Life does not engage in the now common practice of rewriting our nation’s history. Rather, P.A.L. is built upon our founding idea of “self-evident truths.”

7. Is P.A.L. strongly desired? Project American Life is totally market driven. Itdelivers self-evident improvement in students’ aptitudes, attitudes, and actions. Due to the profound nature of the learning experience, the lessons learned are vivid and long lasting.

8. Where does P.A.L. take place? Project American Life is held at any winterized camp or retreat facility that is desiring off-season business. Licensees contract with these host facilities.

9. So, does P.A.L. teach Christianity? Project American Life does not attempt to inculcate religious doctrine. Rather, students vividly experience the core principles of America’s Founders. In this way, P.A.L. serves all students as an ever-shining lighthouse in the culture.

10. Do public schools attend P.A.L.? Of course! This is where the vast majority of students are! Why shouldn’t they attend? As public schools are American schools, the Declaration of Independence is their founding document as well. Shouldn’t all students learn the facts of their history?

11. Do students of all faiths attend? Absolutely! America has an abundance of faith traditions. What religion is not served by “Creator” ~ the term used by our Founders? In P.A.L.’s long history, many children of various religious traditions have attended. Their glowing testimonials (as well as those of their parents) are abundant on the website. .

12. But, what if a school has atheists? Atheistic students should definitely attend! Surely, both the students and their parents want to be open-minded. Moreover, is it not imperative that all American citizens understand the worldview of the people who gave us this great country?

13. How does all this relate to me? Project American Life offers you the “hands-on” opportunity to be an essential element in this life-inspiring mission: to inspire young hearts, minds and souls throughout our country.

14. What can I do specifically? P.A.L. can be supported in a host of ways: You can become a teacher or volunteer at an existing program, you can get new schools involved, or you can help start new programs ~ even starting one of your very own!

15. What is P.A.L. as a business? b.) Project American Life is a one-of-a-kind business opportunity that provides rewarding careers to “Licensees” and their respective staffs. Amazingly, all of this is accomplished while transforming thousands of young lives, their communities, and even our nation.

16. What is a P.A.L. Licensee? A Project American Life Licensee is an entity that is authorized to use all of the state-of-the-art trademarks of P.A.L., including its comprehensive curriculum. Entrepreneurs or organizations are licensed through the nonprofit organization, The Refuge.

17. So, how would I start a P.A.L.? It’s quite simple: Become a P.A.L. Licensee, locate a facility, choose your market area, and hire a teaching staff. As in swimming, often the hardest part is getting in the water.

18. How are P.A.L. facilities found? This is one of the easiest assignments, as there are thousands of camps and retreat centers across America not being used Monday - Friday of the school year. P.A.L. Licensees contract with these “host camps,” many of which are desperately desiring new business.

19. How do I select my market area? There are several approaches to successful marketing of P.A.L. Licensees receive detailed management instructions, generally targeting schools within a two hour bus ride.

20. How does one hire quality staff? Though this can be a time intensive process, it is vital that this be done with precision and care, as a great program needs a great staff. P.A.L. requires a teacher / student ratio of 1 to 10. Licensees receive proven techniques for acquiring the best teachers.

21. Does P.A.L. require fundraising? No! P.A.L. is a market driven product. Parents are eager to make this investment in the development and well-being of their children. For the price of a pair of high-end athletic shoes, parents can provide this educational adventure of a lifetime.

22. What is the financial overview? A 24-week season often generates gross revenue exceeding $550,000. Concurrently, expenditures seldom exceed $380,000. This results in annual positive margins of $170,000 (96 actual P.A.L. days).

23. What are the start-up costs? New P.A.L. Licensees should budget at least $25,000 for the assorted start-up expenses. (This is roughly the same figure as the gross receipts from just one P.A.L. week.)

24. What are the steps to success? All components of the P.A.L. paradigm are provided to new Licensees. The business is a turn-key opportunity that includes all necessary tools and templates as well as in-depth counsel from P.A.L.’s founder.

25. How did P.A.L.’s founder begin? The founder of P.A.L. started with the following minor obstacles: no money, no camp, no curriculum, no staff, and a gnawing question: Will this new idea actually work?

26. So, are there key requirements? Coincidentally, P.A.L’s founder built upon the moral pillars of the P.A.L. curriculum: clarity, compassion, courage, and commitment. Though the initial stages are difficult, these principles lead directly to enduring success.

27. So, what do we do now? Are we interested in restoring the founding principles of America? Are we interested in inculcating the worldview of our Founders? Are we interested in inspiring, even transforming, a whole new generation of young people? Well… What’s stopping us?

28. To learn more about P.A.L.: www.projectamericanlife.com www.foundingprinciples.com