The Congressional Award

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The Congressional Award

• Americas Award for Youth

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The Congressional Award

• The Congressional Award is a public private
  partnership created by Congress to promote and
  recognize achievement, initiative, and service in
  America's youth.
• Youth ages 14 - 23 set and achieve personally
  challenging goals that build character and foster
  community service, personal development, and
  citizenship.

Initiative, Achievement, Service
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Why participate?

• Non-competitive, Voluntary program
• Well balanced, with four diverse areas
• Provides tangible, formal recognition
• Establishes community networks and links
• Builds self-confidence, Esteem booster
• Empowers young people
• Fun! Youth choose their own activities

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Four Program Areas

• Voluntary Public Service
• Personal Development
• Physical Fitness
• Expedition/Exploration

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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.

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Voluntary Public Service Guidelines

• Up to Four Different Goals
• Spread Out Your Hours
• Activities Must Benefit Community at Large
• Public Organizations
• Non Partisan

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Voluntary Public Service Sample Activities

• Animal Care shelter work
• Camp Volunteer
• Beautification Projects
• Library Work
• Hospital Volunteer
• Red Cross
• Tutoring

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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.

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Personal Development Guidelines

• 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

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Personal Development Sample Activities

• Arts and Crafts
• Career Development
• Conservation/Environment
• Leadership Training
• Creative Writing
• Theatre/Acting
• Language Study

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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.

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Physical Fitness Guidelines

• 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

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Physical Fitness Sample Activities

• Team Sports
• Weight Lifting
• Running, Jogging, or Walking
• Skiing
• Dance
• Golf
• Develop Your Own Work-out Routine

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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.

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Expedition/Exploration Guidelines

• Develop a Spirit of Adventure and Discovery
• Organize, Prepare, Plan, Execute
• Work Individually or as a part of a Team
• Be Self-Sufficient
• Inexpensive
• Be Safe!

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Expedition/Exploration Sample Activities

• Camping / Wilderness Hiking
• Bicycle Tour
• Visit a Museum
• Study Abroad
• Outward Bound
• Visit a new city
• Explore a new Environment

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Program Requirements

• There are six levels of AwardBronze, 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.

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Program Requirements - Certificate Level

• Bronze Silver Gold
• Voluntary Public Service 30 60 90
• Personal Development 15 30 45
• Physical Fitness 15 30 45
• Expedition/Exploration One Two Three (number
  of days)
• Minimum Total Hours 60 120 180

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Program Requirements - Medal Level

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  Bronze Silver Gold
• Voluntary Public Service 100 200 400
• Personal Development 50 100 200
• Physical Fitness 50 100 200
• Expedition/Exploration One Two Four (number of
  consecutive overnights)
• Minimum Total Hours 200 400 800

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How Can I Participate?

• Register Choose an Advisor
• Set Your Goals
• Achieve Your Goals
• Receive Your Award
• Move to the Next Level

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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

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Choose an Advisor

• Select an Advisor to help guide you through the
  Congressional Award program.
• Advisors can be anyone other than a parent or
  relative that is over the age of 18.
• Examples of Advisors include neighbors, teachers,
  scoutmasters, guidance councelors, youth leaders,
  or coaches.

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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

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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

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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.

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Receive Your Award

• Gold Medal earners are invited to come to
  Washington, D.C., to receive their Award in an
  annual ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.

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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

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Questions Answers