The Congressional Award

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• The Congressional Award

• America's Award for Youth

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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.

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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.

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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 and Execute
• Work Individually or as a part of a Team
• Be Self-Sufficient
• Inexpensive - Does Not Have to be Costly
• 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 the 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 HoursCertificate 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 HoursMedal Level

• 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

Bronze Silver Gold
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Program Requirements - Months

• Certificate Bronze/Silver N/A
• Certificate Gold 6 months
• Bronze Medal 7 Months
• Silver Medal 12 Months
• Gold Medal 24 Months

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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.

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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 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.

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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, DC, 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