PROGRAM BOOK - U.S. Congress' Award for Youth - Congressional Award

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PROGRAM BOOK - U.S. Congress' Award for Youth - Congressional Award
PROGRAM
BOOK

                                 U.S. Congress’
                                Award for Youth
      The official guide to earning The Congressonal Award, complete
          with program requirements, best practices, and Record Book.
PROGRAM BOOK - U.S. Congress' Award for Youth - Congressional Award
YOUR JOURNEY
           STARTS HERE

                   The United States Congress established Public Law 96-114: The Congressional Award Act on
                          November 16, 1979 to recognize initiative, service, and achievement in young people.

                      Today, The Congressional Award remains Congress’ only charity and the highest honor a
                    member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives may bestow upon a youth civilian.

                          We hope that through your pursuit of this coveted honor, you will not only serve your
                  community and sharpen your own skills, but discover your passions, equip yourself for your
                                                          future, and see humanity through a new perspective.

                                                                                          Your journey awaits.

2   PROGRAM BOOK - V.19
PROGRAM BOOK - U.S. Congress' Award for Youth - Congressional Award
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
GETTING STARTED         04

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS    06

PROGRAM AREAS           08

GENERAL ELIGIBILTY      14

AWARD PRESENTATIONS     18

ADVISORS & VALIDATORS   19

RECORD BOOK             21

OUR IMPACT              27

                             PROGRAM BOOK - V.19   3
PROGRAM BOOK - U.S. Congress' Award for Youth - Congressional Award
GETTING
       STARTED
       Earning The Congressional Award is a proactive and enriching way to get involved. This is not an award
       for past accomplishments. Instead, youth are honored for setting personally challenging goals and
       meeting the needs of their community.

       The program is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive. Young people may register when they
       turn 13 1/2 years old and must complete their activities by their 24th birthday.

       Participants earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold Congressional Award Certificates and Bronze, Silver, and Gold
       Congressional Award Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas: Voluntary Public
       Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration.

       The Congressional Award is the most comprehensive and flexible of its kind. There is no minimum
       grade point average requirement, it accommodates young people with special needs or disabilities, and
       participants complete their activities at their own pace.

      REGISTER                                    GOALS                                   IMPACT

              Register at                     Work with your Advisor to               Show your community and
    www.congressionalaward.org.              set goals in each of the four            yourself what you can do!
    The day you sign up is the day              program areas. Start at             Log activity in pursuit of your
    you may begin counting activity           the Bronze Certificate and              goals and be sure to track
        towards the program.                 progress level by level or go            your hours and months of
         Choose your Advisor.                 straight for a higher award.                    activities.

4     PROGRAM BOOK - V.19
PROGRAM BOOK - U.S. Congress' Award for Youth - Congressional Award
SUBMIT                         CONTINUE                                 EARN

     Once you’ve met the           While you’re waiting for your      Once approved, you will be
requirements for an award level,   Record Book to be reviewed      presented with The Congressional
  submit your Record Book to          you may begin working         Award! Certificates are mailed
the National Office. Review time   towards the next award level.      directly to the awardee and
takes 4-6 weeks for lower levels                                    Medals are presented by your
  and 6-8 weeks for the Gold                                            member of Congress.
          Medal level.
                                                                            PROGRAM BOOK - V.19      5
PROGRAM BOOK - U.S. Congress' Award for Youth - Congressional Award
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The award level structure is cumulative, meaning hours and months spent on one award level will
automatically be counted towards the next level.

In order to earn a particular level of the award, participants must meet the following requirements in
ALL four program areas:

CERTIFICATES
                               Bronze Certificate            Silver Certificate            Gold Certificate

 Voluntary Public                      30 Hours                     60 Hours                     90 Hours
 Service
 Voluntary Public               No Minimum Months            No Minimum Months                   6 Months
 Service
 Personal                             15 Hours                      30 Hours                     45 Hours
 Development
 Personal                       No Minimum Months            No Minimum Months                   6 Months
 Development

 Physical Fitness                     15 Hours                      30 Hours                     45 Hours

 Physcial Fitness               No Minimum Months            No Minimum Months                   6 Months

 Expedition/                            1 Day                        2 Days                        3 Days
 Exploration

MEDALS
                                  Bronze Medal                   Silver Medal                  Gold Medal
 Voluntary Public                     100 Hours                    200 Hours                     400 Hours
 Service
 Voluntary Public                     7 Months                     12 Months                     24 Months
 Service
 Personal                              50 Hours                    100 Hours                     200 Hours
 Development
 Personal                             7 Months                     12 Months                     24 Months
 Development
 Physical Fitness                      50 Hours                    100 Hours                     200 Hours

 Physical Fitness                     7 Months                     12 Months                     24 Months

 Expedition/                     2 Day, 1 Night Trip           3 Day, 2 Night Trip          5 Day, 4 Night Trip
 Exploration

 6   PROGRAM BOOK - V.19
PROGRAM BOOK - U.S. Congress' Award for Youth - Congressional Award
HOUR + MONTH REQUIREMENTS
Spread out your hours.
The purpose of the program is to set long-term goals. Your activities should be spread out over the
months that you are working towards your goals. The month requirement refers to the months that
you are actively working towards your goals in each program area.

You must complete at least one hour of activity in a month for that month to count.

Months of activity do not need to be consecutive.

Months in a program area only count once.
Example: If you play ice hockey and soccer and you have activity for each in January 2019 you can only
count January 2019 one time towards your Physical Fitness month requirement.

No more than eight hours of activity per day.
Example: If your Voluntary Public Service activities include volunteering as a camp counselor, you may
only count eight hours per day even if you are spending the night at the camp.

                                                                                   PROGRAM BOOK - V.19   7
PROGRAM BOOK - U.S. Congress' Award for Youth - Congressional Award
VOLUNTARY PUBLIC SERVICE
     Sharing time and talents for the benefit of others.

     Voluntary Public Service is meant to provide opportunities for you to dive into your community with
     hands-on volunteer experiences. This requires sensitivity, assessment of needs, and determination.

     NO SPREADING OF FAITH OR PROSELYTIZING
     Activities coordinated or completed under the direction of a church, synagogue, mosque, or other
     religious institution must provide service to the greater community at-large. Sunday school or church
     beautification are activities that only benefit members of that particular institution and cannot be counted
     towards Voluntary Public Service. In addition, Voluntary Public Service activities completed with a religious
     institution MUST NOT include any religious instruction or proselytizing.

     NO COMPENSATION
     Voluntary Public Service activities in which you receive compensation or fulfill graduation requirements
     are not allowed. This includes paid internships and class note-taking for campus services or resource
     centers.

     NO PRIVATE / FOR-PROFIT BUSINESSES
     You may not volunteer to work at a private business, such as a law firm, doctor’s office, sports camp, or
     private dance studio as it does not benefit the public.

     NO ENTRANCE / MEMBERSHIP FEES
     Activities completed through an organization that charges a fee for participants may only be used towards
     Voluntary Public Service if the organization offers financial aid/scholarships for participants who may
     not be able to afford the fees. For example, if you are volunteering for a club team or sports camp that
     charges a fee, the organization must provide reduced costs or financial aid for those who cannot afford it.

8   PROGRAM BOOK - V.19
PROGRAM BOOK - U.S. Congress' Award for Youth - Congressional Award
MUST BE NON-PARTISAN
You may not work for an elected official, promote a politically
sensitive issue, or volunteer on a political campaign. This includes
volunteering for entities with a partisan or issue based focus.

INDIRECT SERVICE
Indirect service activities include planning, training, and fundraising and can only make up
25% of your total Voluntary Public Service hours. The other 75% must be direct hours, where
you are interacting with and providing a direct service to the community you are serving.

FOUNDING A NON-PROFIT
Participants who are establishing their own non-profit organization should contact the
National Office to discuss special consideration for the amount of indirect hours logged.

ACTIVE HOURS
You may only record hours in which you are actively pursuing your goal. For example, if you
train service dogs, you may only count hours spent actively teaching and training the dogs.
Simply playing or being with the animal is not deemed service.

                                                                                               PROGRAM BOOK - V.19   9
PROGRAM BOOK - U.S. Congress' Award for Youth - Congressional Award
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
      Pursuing a new interest or advancing in an ongoing interest.
      Personal Development is a chance for you to explore a new interest or work to improve your skills in an
      existing hobby.

      MEASURABLE & CHALLENGING
      Your goal should be measurable and personally challenging. You may continue an activity that you have
      participated in in the past, but be sure that your goal challenges you to develop or improve your skills in
      that activity rather than a continuation of what you are already doing.

      NO SCHOOL/CLASS CREDIT
      You may not count any activities that garner school or class credit. Improving your skills in a particular
      subject or studying for a standardized test may be used, however, your activities must occur outside of
      school and not be a requirement or assignment for any class.

      For example, your Personal Development activities could include extracurricular tutoring in which you are
      not receiving class credit or a weekend SAT prep course that is not a requirement or credit for class.

      PART-TIME JOBS
      If you are a full-time student, taking on a part-time job may be counted.

10   PROGRAM BOOK - V.19
PHYSICAL FITNESS
Improving one’s quality of life.

MEASURABLE & CHALLENGING
Your goal should present a level of challenge and you should be able to show marked progress. You may
continue an activity that you have participated in in the past, but be sure that your goal challenges you
to develop or improve your skills. Physical Fitness goals do not need to be strenuous to be challenging.
Furthermore, those with disabilities are given special consideration.

SCHOOL FITNESS ACTIVITIES
School sports and team practices are acceptable activities as long as they are completed outside of class
time and do not earn school/class credit. Gym class or physical education during school hours do not
qualify.

NON-COMPETITIVE
Goals should be personally challenging and focus on your individual well-being. A goal of becoming team
captain is not an acceptable goal as your success depends on the decisions of others.

MUST BE ISLOATED ACTIVITY
Using activity trackers (i.e. Fitbits) may be useful in tracking your activities, however, activities that are part
of your daily routine (i.e. walking to class) cannot be counted towards your Physical Fitness goal. Your
activities need to take place outside of your daily routine.

                                                                                          PROGRAM BOOK - V.19         11
EXPEDITION / EXPLORATION
      Immersion in an unfamiliar environment or culture.

      An Expedition/Exploration should be a new, unique experience. Your trip should require a level of
      immersion that enables you to leave your comfort zone/daily routine and discover the unfamiliar.

      NO ‘SIGN-UP AND GO’ TRIPS
      Your Expedition/Exploration must be a trip that you plan and lead. Mission trips, conferences, cruises,
      competitions, workshops, and “sign-up and go” trips may not be used.

      ADULT SUPERVISION IS ENCOURAGED
      While you should bear most of the responsibility in planning and executing the trip, adult supervisors or
      parents may help and accompany you.

      NO ‘NEXT STAGE OF LIFE’ TRIPS
      Your Expedition/Exploration should not consist of activities to pursue your next stage in life. This includes
      visiting or touring prospective colleges or participating in an internship or work-study program.

      6-8 HOURS PER DAY
      You must complete 6-8 hours of immersive activities per day to ‘earn’ a day towards the requirement.

      TRIPS THAT MEET THE DURATION REQUIREMENT OF A HIGHER AWARD LEVEL
      If you complete a trip that satisfies the overnight and/or day requirements for a higher level of the award
      than what you are applying for, you may submit it with a lower level Record Book. You may re-submit this
      trip with a higher level Record Book, keeping in mind that the National Office will not necessarily approve
      a trip at a higher level, even if it was approved for a lower level.

12   PROGRAM BOOK - V.19
MEDAL LEVEL TRIPS REQUIRE CONSECUTIVE DAYS
Medal levels require that the days and nights be consecutive.
You cannot combine trips to meet the requirements of the
Bronze, Silver, or Gold Medal.

ONLY SUBMIT ONE TRIP PER RECORD BOOK SUBMISSION
You only need to submit one Expedition OR Exploration with each Record Book submission.
For example, if your first Record Book submission is for the Silver Medal, you only need to
submit a two day, one night trip. You do not need to submit a one day trip for the Bronze
Certificate, a two day trip for the Silver Certificate, etc.

DETAILED WRITE-UPS ARE EXPECTED
Please ensure that you submit a THOROUGH write-up of your Expedition/Exploration. The
Record Book includes a list of questions to help guide you. Your submission should not
consist of brief bullet points.

                                                                                              PROGRAM BOOK - V.19   13
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY
      & REQUIREMENTS
      You must complete your activities prior to your 24th birthday.

      You must set goals and complete activities in ALL FOUR program areas to earn the award. This
      includes meeting the hour AND month requirements for each program area based on the level of the
      award you are applying for.

      All of your activities must occur after your Activity Start Date (the day that you register).

      No double dipping! None of your activities should overlap between program areas. Activities that
      you complete towards one program area cannot be counted towards another. For example, Personal
      Development goals may include fitness activities such as dancing or team sports. However, make sure
      that none of your Personal Development activities overlap with your Physical Fitness activities.

      Any activities that you receive class credit for cannot be counted towards the award.

      You only need to submit your Record Book ONCE. Please do not send multiple copies. Similarly,
      when submitting revisions, you only need to submit the updated or revised Record Book pages.

      Please only submit one Record Book at a time. Please do not send multiple Record Books for
      multiple award levels at one time.

      You are allowed up to four Voluntary Public Service goals, two Personal Development goals, and
      two Physical Fitness goals for each Record Book submission. Additionally, you only need to submit
      one Expedition/Exploration that meets the minimum day or overnight requirements for the level
      you are applying for.

14   PROGRAM BOOK - V.19
You may collaborate with others while working towards your goals. However, the activities and hours
that are recorded on your Record Book should be ones that you completed as an individual.

You may set umbrella goals that include similar activities. For example, if your Voluntary Public Service
goal is to help youth in your community, your activities to achieve this goal could include tutoring at the
local library, assisting youth at the YMCA, and packing lunches at the food bank for local students.

Remember, as long as you are taking the steps to work towards your goals and can show improvement, it
is alright if you do not achieve your goals!

If you have any disabilities or require special consideration, please let our office know. The program is
flexible and we are happy to assist any way we can.

You may modify or change your goals and activities at each level of the award after each submission
and approval.

You may start at any level that you choose. You can start with the Bronze Certificate or go straight for
the Gold Medal. You can also go level by level or skip levels. Our office recommends that you submit a
Record Book at a lower level to ensure that your goals and activities are approved before working towards
higher levels.

The National Office cannot pre-approve any goals or activities. Once you have registered and met
with your Advisor, we can provide initial feedback and suggestions.

If you skip award levels, once approved, you will automatically receive all lower levels of the
award. For example, if your first Record Book submission is for the Silver Medal, once approved, you will
also be approved for the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Certificates and the Bronze Medal.

                                                                                      PROGRAM BOOK - V.19     15
AVOID
     COMMON
     MISTAKES
              Double check that you are submitting a complete Record
              Book - including all dates, signatures, hour totals, and a
              detailed write-up for your Expedition/Exploration.

              Ensure that you are submitting accurate and up to date
              contact information on the cover page. This is how you will
              be contacted regarding your submission.

     TOTAL MONTHS for this goal: 7		           TOTAL HOURS for this goal: 113
     Enter year(s) and check all months where activity was logged for this goal.
     Only report new hours logged since your last Record Book submission.

       YEAR     JAN      FEB     MAR      APR     MAY      JUN      JUL     AUG      SEP     OCT      NOV      DEC

       2019       X        X

       2018                                         X        X       X                                  X        X

              Ensure that all the activities listed within your Record Book occur after your Activity Start Date.

              Do not submit any activities from previous Record Book submissions. Our office keeps all
              approved hours from past submissions in your file at the National Office.

              Confirm that your Validators have signed each Record Book page AFTER your activities were
              completed.

              You and your Advisor should be the last to sign the cover page of your Record Book after ALL
              activity is complete and all of your Validators have signed the Record Book pages.

              Use the official Record Book to capture your activities. We will only review what is recorded in
              the Record Book. Although not required, you may include supplementary documents like logs
              of hours, supporting literature, and expanded explanations.

              Acknowledge that your Advisor and Validators are not family members.

              Indicate that you have not received class credit for any of your activities.

16   PROGRAM BOOK - V.19
RECORD BOOK
REVIEW PROCESS
The National Office accepts Record Book submissions on a rolling basis. The only deadline is for the
Gold Medal Record Book. If you are planning to attend the Gold Medal Ceremony for a particular
year, you must submit your Record Book no later than February 1st and all Revisions must be
submitted by March 15th of that year.

You may submit your Record Book via mail to our mailing address, fax, or by email as a single PDF attachment.
We are not able to accept submissions through GoogleDocs, Dropbox, or other document host platforms.

Once you have submitted your complete Record Book, your Program Manager will review your submission.
All lower levels take 4-6 weeks to review. Gold Medal Record Books take 6-8 weeks to review as they pass
through a committee. This timeline does not account for additional revisions.

Our office cannot expedite the review process. If you are hoping to be approved prior to a personal deadline,
please ensure that you allow enough time for review and possible revisions.

If our team has questions regarding your submission, we will notify you via mail or email.

Once approved, the National Office will mail your approval packet. Certificates are mailed directly to the
awardee. If you’ve earned a medal, we will notify your member of Congress to set up an award presentation.

Once you have submitted your Record Book, you may begin working towards the next level of the award.

REVISIONS
Please address ALL questions posed and information requested by the National Office.

If you add hours or months of activity to your Record Book, you must have your Validator and Advisor re-sign
and date your Record Book pages to confirm the new activities.

If you do not address all of the notes in the revision or if you provide new information that requires
clarification, you may receive additional revision requests.

Revisions are okay! Most participants are asked to clarify or revise some part of their Record Book.

GOLD MEDAL RECORD BOOKS
The February 1st submission and March 15th revision deadlines are postmark, email, and fax dates.

If we do not receive your Record Book or revisions prior to the submission deadlines, your Record Book can
still be approved but you will be considered a Gold Medalist for the following year.

Once we receive your Gold Medal Record Book, your Program Manager will review your submission and work
with you on any revisions you might have. Once your Program Manager approves your Record Book, it will be
passed to the Gold Medal Review Committee. You will be notified directly once you have been approved!

                                                                                       PROGRAM BOOK - V.19   17
AWARD PRESENTATIONS
      Once approved for a Congressional Award Medal, our office will notify the office of your U.S.
      Representative. We’ll coordinate the medal shipment and other materials needed for a presentation.

                                                                   LOCAL PRESENTATIONS
                                                                   The congressional office will reach out to you
                                                                   directly to schedule a time to present your
                                                                   medal. Please make sure that you provide
                                                                   the National Office with your most updated
                                                                   contact information.

                                                                   Please be patient as it does take time (4-6
                                                                   months) to schedule presentations with
                                                                   members of Congress.

      Some members of Congress hold quarterly or annual presentations while other present medals on a
      rolling basis. Our office does not have any control of the scheduling of presentations.

      STATE/REGIONAL CEREMONIES
      Certain Congressional Districts and states
      hold regional or statewide ceremonies.

      These presentations are coordinated through
      our office and we will contact you about six
      weeks before the event takes place.

      If you are unable to attend a regional or
      statewide ceremony, we will mail your medal
      directly to you.

                                                                   GOLD MEDAL CEREMONY
                                                                   Gold Medals are presented at an annual
                                                                   ceremony in Washington, D.C. each summer.

                                                                   If you are unable to attend the Gold Medal
                                                                   Ceremony, you may choose to have your Gold
                                                                   Medal presented locally or mailed directly to
                                                                   you after the summer ceremony.

      If you do not want your medal presented, let our office know and we will send it directly to you.
      You may include your achievement on your resume and college/scholarship applications once approved.

18   PROGRAM BOOK - V.19
ADVISORS & VALIDATORS
Your Advisor and Validators should assist you in setting your goals in each program area and identifying
appropriate activities for you to achieve those goals. They should monitor your progress in earning The
Congressional Award and validate your hours and months once you have completed your activities.

Participants choose their own Advisor and Validators. Parents, relatives, and peers may not serve as Advisors
or Validators. Appropriate Advisors and Validators include teachers, coaches, neighbors, club sponsors, etc.

ADVISOR (one per participant)
1) Someone that you are comfortable with and who can help you identify goals and activities.
2) Once you have completed your activities and filled out your Record Book, your Advisor should review with
you and sign the Cover Page. Your Advisor’s signature and comments will certify that you have completed all
of the requirements and should be completed after all of your activities are completed for submission.
3) To change your Advisor, include your new Advisor’s information on your next Record Book submission.

VALIDATORS (must have a validator for each goal)
1) Once you have completed your hours and months in a particular goal, your Validator should sign and date
your Record Book page to confirm your activities.
2) The Validator should be specific to the goal you are pursuing. For example, a coach may be an appropriate
Validator for your Physical Fitness goals while a Volunteer Coordinator would be an appropriate Validator for
your Voluntary Public Service goals.
3) If the majority of your activities for a particular goal are completed independently or with your family and
you cannot identify a suitable Validator, your Advisor may serve as a Validator for those activities.

                                                                                      PROGRAM BOOK - V.19    19
ADVISOR / VALIDATOR
     CHECKLIST

                    ADVISORS                               VALIDATORS

             Review the requirements and                 Review the requirements and guidelines
             guidelines with the participant.            as provided in the Program Book.

             Assist the participant in setting goals     Discuss the specific requirement for
             for each program area that are              the program area in which you will be
             personally challenging, achievable,         working with the participant.
             measurable, and fulfilling.
                                                         Help the participant identify his or her
             Help the participant identify               starting level in a particular activity.
             appropriate activities and qualified
             Validators for each goal.
                                                         Make certain the participant’s goal is
                                                         personally challenging, achievable,
             Maintain periodic contact with the          measurable, and fulfilling.
             participant while he or she works
             towards their goals.
                                                         Once the participant has met the
                                                         activity requirements, review the
             If the participant needs to revise          appropriate documentation and sign
             goals, assist in helping set new goals      and date the Record Book page.
             and finding activities to achieve them.

             Upon completing the program
             requirements, ensure that the
             participant has completely and
             accurately filled out their Record Book
             and have obtained signatures from
             each of their Validators.

             Sign and date the cover page of the
             participant’s Record Book to confirm
             all of their goals and activities. Remind
             the participant to make copies of their
             Record Book prior to submission.

             Assist the participant in addressing
             any revisions.

20   PROGRAM BOOK - V.19
APPLYING FOR (SELECT ONE)                                                               OFFICE USE ONLY
   Bronze Certificate Bronze Medal
                                                                                        _____________________________________
      Silver Certificate       Silver Medal
                                                                                        _____________________________________
      Gold Certificate         Gold Medal

                                 PARTICIPANT RECORD BOOK
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION

First Name __________________________________ Last Name ______________________________________
f

Address _______________________________________ City _________________ State _______ Zip ________
Date of Birth __ __ / __ __ / __ __ __ __ School _________________________________________________
Email _____________________________________ Phone ___________________________________________
Employed?          Yes, Part-Time                   Yes, Full-Time                    No
If Yes, List Employer __________________________________________________________________________
What I have gained by participating in The Congressional Award:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
I have set goals and met the requirements to earn The Congressional Award as outlined in this submission.

Participant Signature ____________________________________ Date __ __ / __ __ / __ __ __ __

    ADVISOR INFORMATION

First Name __________________________________ Last Name ______________________________________
Address _______________________________________ City _________________ State _______ Zip ________
Email _____________________________________ Phone ___________________________________________
Are you a parent or relative of the participant?                  Yes      No
Advisor comments regarding the participant’s pursuit of The Congressional Award:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
I certify that the participant established goals, completed hours, and recorded the activity stated herein.

Advisor Signature ____________________________________                               Date __ __ / __ __ / __ __ __ __

                                Submit the completed Record Book to The Congressional Award national office.
                                      The Congressional Award | PO Box 77440 | Washington, DC 20013

         Only submit your Record Book after you have completed your goals and the required hours/months in all four program areas.

                                                                                                       PROGRAM BOOK - V.19    21
VOLUNTARY
      VOLUNTARY
          PUBLIC SERVICE
                  PUBLIC SERVICE                                                                                                        PERSONAL
(Each goal should have its
                        (Each
                           owngoal
                               Record
                                   should
                                       Book
                                          have
                                            page.
                                               its own
                                                   MakeRecord
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                                                              Book
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                                                                       as Make
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                                                                               as many
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                                                                                                     your goals.)
                                                                                                            to accommodate your goals.)
                                                                                                                                 (Each goal should have its o

Name _______________________________
              Name _______________________________
                                     Did you receive any
                                                      Didclass
                                                          you receive
                                                               credit for
                                                                       anythis
                                                                            class
                                                                               goal?
                                                                                  credit
                                                                                     Yes for this
                                                                                             No
                                                                                             Name goal? Yes  No
                                                                                                    ____________
What is your goal?What
                   ____________________________________________________________________________
                       is your goal? _____________________________________________________________________
                                                                                         What is your goal? _
____________________________________________________________________________________________
               _____________________________________________________________________________________
                                                                                   _________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
               _____________________________________________________________________________________
                                                                                   _________________
Describe your activities
                 Describeto your
                            achieve  your goal:
                                 activities     _____________________________________________________
                                            to achieve your goal: ______________________________________________
                                                                                               _________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
               _____________________________________________________________________________________
                                                                                   Describe your activi
____________________________________________________________________________________________
               _____________________________________________________________________________________
                                                                                   _________________
What did you learn? ___________________________________________________________________________
                 What did you learn? ____________________________________________________________________
                                                                                       _________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
               _____________________________________________________________________________________
                                                                                   _________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
               _____________________________________________________________________________________
                                                                                   What did you learn?
How did you serveHow
                  the did
                      greater  community
                          you serve       at large?
                                    the greater     ________________________________________________
                                                community  at large? _________________________________________
                                                                                            _________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
               _____________________________________________________________________________________
                                                                                   _________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
               _____________________________________________________________________________________
                                                                                   _________________
TOTAL MONTHS for this goal:
             TOTAL    MONTHS______       TOTAL
                               for this goal:    HOURS forTOTAL
                                              ______       this goal:
                                                                 HOURS______
                                                                         for this goal: ______TOTAL MONTHS for
Enter year(s) and check Enter
                        all months
                              year(s)
                                   where
                                      and check
                                          activity
                                                allwas
                                                    months
                                                       logged
                                                           where
                                                              for this
                                                                   activity
                                                                       goal.was
                                                                             Only
                                                                                logged
                                                                                  reportfor
                                                                                          new
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                                                                                                       Only report
                                                                                                             since your
                                                                                                                   new hours
                                                                                                                        last Record
                                                                                                                              loggedBook
                                                                                                                                     sincesubmission.
                                                                                                                                           youryear(s)
                                                                                                                                         Enter  last Record Book all
                                                                                                                                                       and check su

    YEAR           JAN      YEAR
                             FEB          MAR
                                           JAN       APR
                                                      FEB       MAY
                                                                 MAR        JUN
                                                                             APR        JUL
                                                                                         MAY       AUG
                                                                                                    JUN        SEP
                                                                                                                JUL       OCT
                                                                                                                           AUG       NOV
                                                                                                                                      SEPYEAR
                                                                                                                                           DEC
                                                                                                                                            OCT             NOV
                                                                                                                                                           JAN

VALIDATOR INFORMATION
              VALIDATOR INFORMATION                                                                                                     VALIDATOR INFORM

First Name __________________________________
                First Name __________________________________
                                               Last Name ______________________________________
                                                              Last Name _______________________________
                                                                                      First Name _______
Email _____________________________________  Phone ___________________________________________
                Email _____________________________________ Phone ____________________________________
                                                                                     Email ____________
Are you a parent or
                 Arerelative of the or
                     you a parent   participant?
                                       relative of theYes    No
                                                       participant?                             Yes       No                            Are you a parent or
Validator comments regarding
               Validator     the participant’s
                         comments              completion
                                    regarding the         of thecompletion
                                                  participant’s  goal:     of the goal:                                                 Validator comments
____________________________________________________________________________________________
               _____________________________________________________________________________________
                                                                                   _________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
               _____________________________________________________________________________________
                                                                                   _________________
I certify that the Iabove  goal,
                     certify thathours, and activities
                                  the above            were
                                            goal, hours, andcompleted
                                                              activities by thecompleted
                                                                         were   participant.
                                                                                          by the participant.
                                                                                                      I certify that the ab

Validator Signature ____________________________________
                 Validator                                   Date __ __ / __ __
                           Signature ____________________________________       / __________/ __
                                                                              Date            __ __ / __ Signature
                                                                                               Validator  __ __ __

          22   PROGRAM BOOK - V.19
                                Remember, you may have
                                                   Remember,
                                                       up to four
                                                               yougoals
                                                                    mayfor
                                                                        have
                                                                           Voluntary
                                                                              up to four
                                                                                      Public
                                                                                         goals
                                                                                             Service.
                                                                                               for Voluntary Public Service.
L DEVELOPMENT
    PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
own Record(Each
           Book goal
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                                         Record
                                             as necessary
                                                 Book page.
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                                                             Make as many your
                                                                          copies
                                                                               goals.)
                                                                                 as necessary to accommodate your goals.)

____________________
       Name _______________________________
                     Did you receive any class credit
                                                 Did you
                                                      for receive
                                                          this goal?
                                                                  anyYes
                                                                      class credit
                                                                            No     for this goal? Yes                                           No
       What is your goal? ____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
       ____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
       ____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
       ____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
         Describeyour
ities to achieve  yourgoal:
                       activities to achieve your goal: _____________________________________________________
                            _____________________________________________________
       ____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
       ____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
       ____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
        What did you learn? ___________________________________________________________________________
? ___________________________________________________________________________
       ____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
       ____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
       ____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
         TOTAL
r this goal:            for thisHOURS
                 MONTHS TOTAL
             ______              goal: ______          ______HOURS for this goal: ______
                                        for this goal:TOTAL
l months where
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                                                                                                         hours
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                                                                                                               logged since your last Record Book submission.

    FEB       MAR
              YEAR        APRJAN MAYFEB JUN
                                          MAR JULAPR AUG
                                                       MAY SEPJUN OCTJUL NOV
                                                                           AUG DECSEP                                             OCT        NOV         DEC

MATION VALIDATOR INFORMATION

____________________________
        First Name __________________________________
                              Last Name ______________________________________
                                                      Last Name ______________________________________
       Email _____________________________________
__________________________                         Phone ___________________________________________
                           Phone ___________________________________________
 relativeAre you participant?
          of the a parent or relative
                                 Yes of No
                                        the participant?                         Yes       No
        Validator
s regarding       comments regarding
            the participant’s          the
                              completion ofparticipant’s
                                            the goal:    completion of the goal:
       ____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
       ____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
        I certify
bove goal, hours, that
                   and the abovewere
                       activities goal,completed
                                        hours, andby
                                                   activities were completed by the participant.
                                                     the participant.

       Validator Signature ____________________________________
 ____________________________________                                 Date
                                           Date __ __ / __ __ / __ __ __ __ __ __ / __ __ / __ __ __ __

            Remember, you may have up to twoRemember,
                                             goals for Personal
                                                         you mayDevelopment.                                   PROGRAM BOOK - V.19
                                                                  have up to two goals for Personal Development.                                   23
PHYSICAL PHYSICAL
         FITNESS FITNESS
(Each goal should have its own
                            (Each
                               Record
                                  goal should
                                       Book page.
                                              have Make
                                                   its own
                                                         as Record
                                                            many copies
                                                                   Book page.
                                                                        as necessary
                                                                              Make astomany
                                                                                        accommodate
                                                                                            copies as necessary
                                                                                                      your goals.)
                                                                                                                to accommodate your goals.)

Name _______________________________
                 Name _______________________________
                                     Did you receive any Did
                                                         classyou
                                                               credit
                                                                  receive
                                                                      for this
                                                                          any goal?
                                                                               class Yes
                                                                                     credit for
                                                                                             Nothis goal? Yes
What is your goal? ____________________________________________________________________________
                    What is your goal? ___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
                 ___________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
                 ___________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
                 ___________________________________________________________________________________
Describe your activities to achieve
                    Describe        your goal:to_____________________________________________________
                              your activities    achieve your goal: ___________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
                 ___________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
                 ___________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
                 ___________________________________________________________________________________
How did your skill level
                     Howchange / advance?
                         did your skill level_______________________________________________________
                                              change / advance? ______________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
                 ___________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
                 ___________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
                 ___________________________________________________________________________________
TOTAL MONTHS for TOTAL
                 this goal: ______for thisTOTAL
                        MONTHS                    HOURS for this
                                           goal: ______          goal:HOURS
                                                             TOTAL     ______for this goal: ______
Enter year(s) and check all months
                            Enter year(s)
                                   whereand
                                          activity
                                             checkwas
                                                   all logged
                                                        monthsfor
                                                               where
                                                                  this goal.
                                                                       activity
                                                                             Only
                                                                                was
                                                                                  report
                                                                                    logged
                                                                                         new
                                                                                           forhours
                                                                                               this goal.
                                                                                                     logged
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                                                                                                            since
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                                                                                                                  yournew
                                                                                                                       lasthours
                                                                                                                            Record
                                                                                                                                 logged
                                                                                                                                   Book since
                                                                                                                                         submission.
                                                                                                                                              your last Record Boo

    YEAR           JAN        FEB
                               YEAR MARJAN APRFEBMAYMARJUNAPR JULMAYAUGJUN SEP JULOCTAUGNOVSEP DECOCT                                                           N

VALIDATOR INFORMATION
                VALIDATOR INFORMATION

First Name __________________________________
                  First Name __________________________________
                                              Last Name ______________________________________
                                                                Last Name _____________________________
Email _____________________________________ Phone ___________________________________________
                  Email _____________________________________ Phone __________________________________
Are you a parent or relative
                    Are you aofparent
                                the participant?
                                      or relative of Yes    No
                                                     the participant?                              Yes       No
Validator comments Validator
                   regardingcomments
                             the participant’s completion
                                       regarding          of the goal:
                                                 the participant’s completion of the goal:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
                 ___________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
                 ___________________________________________________________________________________
I certify that the above goal,that
                     I certify hours,
                                   theand activities
                                       above         were completed
                                             goal, hours,            by the
                                                          and activities    participant.
                                                                         were completed by the participant.

Validator Signature ____________________________________      Date __ __ / __ __ /Date
                    Validator Signature ____________________________________       __ __________/ __ __ / __ __ __ _

          24   PROGRAM BOOK - V.19        Remember, you may have Remember,
                                                                 up to two goals
                                                                             you for
                                                                                  mayPhysical
                                                                                      have upFitness.
                                                                                               to two goals for Physical Fitness.
EXPEDITION / EXPLORATION
           (Each goal should have its own Record Book page. Make as many copies as necessary to accommodate your goals.)

 No        Name _______________________________ Did you receive any class credit for this goal? Yes                                      No
       What is your goal? ____________________________________________________________________________
__________
       ____________________________________________________________________________________________
__________
       ____________________________________________________________________________________________
__________
       ____________________________________________________________________________________________
__________
        ____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________
       Provide a brief overview of your planned activities to achieve your goal: ______________________________
__________
       ____________________________________________________________________________________________
__________
       ____________________________________________________________________________________________
__________
       ____________________________________________________________________________________________
__________
       ____________________________________________________________________________________________
__________
       ____________________________________________________________________________________________
__________
__________
       TRIP DETAILS
ok submission.

           Location of Expedition/Exploration: _____________________________________________________________
NOV       DEC
           Trip Duration: ____ Days, ____ Nights     *Must show at least 6-8 hours of activity to earn a day
           Trip Dates: __ __ / __ __ / __ __ __ __ — __ __ / __ __ / __ __ __ __
           In addition to the information above, please provide a detailed write-up of your Expedition or
           Exploration by using the prompts on the next page.

            VALIDATOR INFORMATION

           First Name __________________________________ Last Name ______________________________________
           Email _____________________________________ Phone ___________________________________________
       Are you a parent or relative of the participant? Yes    No
__________
       Validator comments regarding the participant’s completion of the goal:
__________
       ____________________________________________________________________________________________
           ____________________________________________________________________________________________
       I certify that the above goal, hours, and activities were completed by the participant.
__________
__________
       Validator Signature ____________________________________                                  Date __ __ / __ __ / __ __ __ __

__

                                                                                                                   PROGRAM BOOK - V.19    25
EXPEDITION / EXPLORATION
Use these questions to guide your Expedition/Exploration write-up. Your write-up should read like a journal entry and
provide a detailed account of your trip from start to finish. This should include planning and preparation notes, your
planned itinerary, and a detailed day-by-day account of your actual activity. Remember, we can only review what is
submitted. Be as thorough as possible about your experience and provide a glimpse into what you learned.

1)      How did you plan or prepare for this activity?
        Be as detailed as possible indicating your initiative. Did you investigate and schedule your travel options? Did
        you research varying venues or locations? Did you coordinate with anyone before your arrival? How did you
        make your trip or activity happen? If you worked with a group, how did you make this trip happen for you?
        How did you leave your mark?

2)      How was this activity unique and unlike anything you have ever done before?
        How were you immersed in a different culture or environment?
        If you travel or camp a lot, how was this trip or activity different? How did you expand your horizons and
        learn about a unique culture or environment? How did this put you outside of your comfort zone? An
        Expedition/Exploration is about exploring a unique culture or environment - how did you accomplish this?

3)      How were you challenged? Include examples of thinking on your feet.
        Before and during your trip, what obstacles did you encounter and how did you handle them? This portion of
        the program is about taking initiative and rising to challenges that come up while exploring an unfamiliar
        environment. If you got lost on a foreign subway, did you wait for your parents to direct you or did you take
        the lead? If a venue was closed unexpectedly, did you make other plans or just go back to a hotel? Show us
        how your were able to adapt to the real world in a different environment or in planning for your trip. If you
        worked with a group, how did you show leadership in implementing your trip?

4)      Outline a detailed itinerary of what you plan to do.
        Detail your planned trip from start to finish. Make sure you can show at least 6-8 hours of immersion activities
        each day. Include where you are planning on going and why, how you plan to explore the unique culture or
        environment (through food, sightseeing, etc.), and how you are going to learn about this new environment. If
        using public transportation is a large component of your trip and write up, make sure to include your overall
        plan and method for using it.

5)      Provide a detailed write up of your actual trip (a day-to-day account).
        Tell us what you did! This should be the most detailed portion of your write up, including how your plans
        came to fruition. Include details about what you learned, what you saw, and what you took in. Did all of your
        plans go smoothly or were there bumps along the road? How did you handle any hiccups? How did you explore
        the environment or culture for at least 6-8 hours? This should not read like a class assignment or paper,
        arguing for the validity of your trip and how you found real-world immersion.

6)      Is there anything else you think would highlight your accomplishments on your trip?
        What did you take away from your trip? Are you now planning on returning to the location for future
        adventures or experiences? Did you learn you could do something that you never would have expected? Did
        you try a food for the first time and now can't get enough? Did you communicate in languages and now you
        want to learn more? Did you learn a new skill that you will employ on future travels?

 While write-ups at each level require detailed explanations of your planning and your actual trip, Gold Medal Record Books are scrutinized
 even further as the submission passes through a review committee. If you are planning on submitting an Expedition/Exploration that was
                      approved at a lower level for the Gold Medal, be as detailed as possible at your first submission.

        26    PROGRAM BOOK - V.19
OUR MISSION
IN ACTION
                                                       Percentage of Gold Medalists that
  46,783                                               say The Congressional Award was a
  TOTAL PARTICIPANTS                                   defining personal experience.

  1.1 MILLION                                   86%
                                                                   17
  HOURS OF SERVICE/YEAR

                                                                   AVERAGE
                                                                   AGE
  535 CONGRESSIONAL
      DISTRICTS
  PARTICIPANTS IN ALL 50
  STATES + TERRITORIES
                                                 94%
  6,000+                                                of Gold Medalists say The
                                                        Congressional Award added to
  AWARDS EARNED/YEAR
                                                        their educational, professional,
                                                        or social development.

  15,000+
  ADULT MENTORS

                                                We build
  400+
  SCHOOLS INVOLVED
                                              tomorrow’s
                                                 leaders,
         54% FEMALE                                today.
         46% MALE

  5,201
  REGISTRATIONS LAST YEAR

   The Congressional Award               @theaward                @thecongressionalaward

   The Congressional Award is a 501(c)(3) IRS designated tax exempt organization,
      written into law under Public Law 96-114: The Congressional Award Act.

                                                                     PROGRAM BOOK - V.19   27
CONTACT US

  P.O. Box 77440
  Washington, DC 20013

  Office: (202) 226-0130
  Toll Free: 1-888-80-AWARD

  information@congressionalaward.org
  www.congressionalaward.org

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