Transcript What is The Congressional Award?  The Congressional Award is a public/private partnership created by Congress to promote and recognize initiative, service and achievement.

What is The Congressional
Award?
 The Congressional Award is a public/private
partnership created by Congress to promote and
recognize initiative, service and achievement in
America's youth. The Congressional Award
provides a unique opportunity for young people to
set and achieve personally challenging goals that
build character and foster community service,
personal development, and citizenship.
What is The Congressional
Award?
 Through The Congressional Award, the U.S.
Congress challenges young Americans to
challenge themselves, and recognizes young
people who set and achieve goals in four program
areas.
Four Program Areas
 Voluntary Public Service
 Personal Development
 Physical Fitness
 Expedition/Exploration
Voluntary Public Service
 Sharing your time
and talents with
others is an
important part of
The Congressional
Award program.
 This requires
sensitivity,
perception of need,
and determination.
Voluntary Public Service
Guidelines
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Up to Four Different Goals
Spread Out Your Hours
Activities Must Benefit Community at Large
Public Organizations
Non Partisan
Voluntary Public Service
Sample Activities
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Animal Care shelter work
Camp Volunteer
Beautification Projects
Library Work
Hospital Volunteer
Red Cross
Tutoring
Personal Development
 Expand your horizons
while developing
individual interests,
social and life skills.
 Pursue a new interest
or advance to a higher
level in an ongoing
interest.
Personal Development
Guidelines
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Up to two Different Goals
Measurable, Definite Task
Part-time Work if you are a Full-time Student
Educational Activities, if employed Full-Time
Plan Individually or Part of a Group
Personal Development
Sample Activities
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Arts and Crafts
Career Development
Conservation/Environment
Leadership Training
Creative Writing
Theatre/Acting
Language Study
Physical Fitness
 Improve your quality
of life through
participation in fitness
activities.
 The Congressional
Award challenges you
to achieve a
measurable goal in a
team sport or
individual physical
activity.
Physical Fitness Guidelines
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Up to two Different Goals
Goals cannot be Competitive
Goals should be Specific and Measurable
Include Current Fitness Level
Remember, Fitness Activities do not have
to be Strenuous in Order to be Challenging
Physical Fitness
Sample Activities
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Team Sports
Weight Lifting
Running, Jogging, or Walking
Skiing
Dance
Golf
Develop Your Own Work-out Routine
Expedition/Exploration
 Challenge yourself
through an interaction
with the wilderness or
by immersing yourself
in an unfamiliar
culture.
 The Congressional
Award allows you to
choose between an
Expedition or
Exploration.
Expedition/Exploration
Guidelines
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Develop a Spirit of Adventure and Discovery
Organize, Prepare, Plan and Execute
Work Individually or as a part of a Team
Be Self-Sufficient
Inexpensive - Does Not Have to be Costly
Be Safe!
Expedition/Exploration
Sample Activities
 Camping / Wilderness
Hiking
 Bicycle Tour
 Visit a Museum
 Study Abroad
 Outward Bound
 Visit a new city
 Explore a new Environment
Program Requirements
There are six levels of the Award—Bronze, Silver, and
Gold Certificates and Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals.
Each level is cumulative. Time spent on one Award is
carried on to the next level.
Program Requirements – Hours
Certificate Level
Bronze
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Voluntary Public Service
Personal Development
Physical Fitness
Expedition/Exploration
(number of days)
 Minimum Total Hours
Silver
Gold
30
15
15
One
60
30
30
Two
90
45
45
Three
60
120
180
Program Requirements – Hours
Medal Level
Bronze Silver Gold
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Voluntary Public Service
100
Personal Development
50
Physical Fitness
50
Expedition/Exploration
One
(number of consecutive overnights)
 Minimum Total Hours
200
100
100
Two
400
200
200
Four
200 400 800
Program Requirements - Months
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Certificate Bronze/Silver: N/A
Certificate Gold: 6 months
Bronze Medal: 7 Months
Silver Medal: 12 Months
Gold Medal: 24 Months
Month Requirements
 One must accumulate the requisite hours
over at least 12 months (not necessarily
consecutive) of activity in each activity area.
 Months are cumulative
 Months are counted only once in the same
activity area, meaning if you document two
PF activities during the same six-month
period, you will only get credit for 6 months
of activity, not 12.
How Can I Participate?
Register & Choose an
Advisor
Set Your Goals
Achieve Your Goals
Receive Your Award
Move to the Next Level
Register
 Fill out the Registration Form and Waiver. Mail to
the National Office with the $10 Registration Fee.
 Or Register online at
www.congressionalaward.org and follow the
instructions.
Choose an Advisor
 Select an Advisor to help guide you through
the Congressional Award program.
 Advisors can be anyone other than your
parent, relative or peer that is over the age
of 18.
 Examples of Advisors include neighbors,
teachers, scoutmasters, guidance
counselors, youth leaders, or coaches.
Set Your Goals
 Set goals in each of the four Program Areas with
the help of your adult Advisor.
 Goals should be measurable, achievable,
worthwhile, challenging and fulfilling.
 Use the Program Book as a guide when setting
your goals.
Achieve Your Goals
 Work at your own pace toward your goals.
 Keep accurate records such as timesheets,
journals or write-ups.
 Record your hours and a description of your
activities in your Congressional Award Record
Book.
 Record Books are mailed directly to the participant
and can be found on our website.
Receive Your Award
 Once a participant has
earned the Bronze or
Silver Medal, a
ceremony is planned
locally in which the
participant's Member
of Congress presents
The Award.
Receive Your Award
 Gold Medal earners are invited to come to
Washington, DC, to receive their Award in an
annual ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.
Move to the Next Level
 Work with your Advisor to set new goals for the
next level of the Award.
 You may select new activities or continue with
your current goals and activities.
 Remember, all hours are cumulative.
Questions & Answers