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The Congressional Award

© Ella Marin

America's youth get a lot of bad press these days. Here's a chance for some great press. The Congressional Award program gives individuals ages 14-23 the opportunity to do something positive for themselves and their community, while gaining a valuable experience from it. It also gives adults the chance to be involved in the life of a dedicated young adult.

The Congressional Award is won by completing self-paced individually-chosen goals in four areas: public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition or exploration. The public service component is the largest, and gives kids the opportunity to volunteer in up to four organizations or programs of their choosing.

To be able to complete registration and obtain the award, the participant needs to find a non-relative adult to serve as a volunteer mentor who helps select goals and volunteer validators. These are the people who verify that the participant has completed the goals for each category. Validators must in some way be linked to the activity that participant has chosen (i.e, the director of the nonprofit organization where the participant volunteered would make the ideal validator for the service section). There are no grade requirements for participating in the program.

There are 3 different goal levels for the Congressional Award. While the goals for each category are self-set, to receive the award, a participant must work a minimum of the number of hours stated below:

1. Bronze
   • 100 hrs. Public Service
   • 50 hrs. Personal Development
   • 50 hrs. Physical Fitness
   • 10 hrs. Expedition/Exploration
2. Silver
   • 200 hrs. Public Service
   • 100 hrs. Personal Development
   • 100 hrs. Physical Fitness
   • 20 hrs. Expedition/Exploration
3. Gold
   • 400 hrs. Public Service
   • 200 hrs. Personal Development
   • 200 hrs. Physical Fitness
   • 40 hrs. Expedition/Exploration

Additionally, there are minimum age and length requirements for each category. Bronze and Silver Awards are presented at the state level. The Gold Award is given at an annual ceremony by the leaders of Congress.

The goals selected must be achievable, worthwhile, measurable, and challenging. This last criteria is important, because many goals would not qualify under it. For example, if you are on a swim team, a physical fitness goal of swimming 3 times a week would not be acceptable. The goal must increase your knowledge or skills.

To find out more about the program and to receive an application, send a postcard with your name and address to:

The Congressional Award Foundation
PO Box 77440
Washington, DC 20013
or visit their website.

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