The Congressional Award

Challenge #3: Acknowledging the Accomplishment

Completing the Record Book is the last daunting challenge young people face before submitting for the Congressional Award. The six pages require details about each goal, each activity, and each accomplishment. Most young people will view this crucial part of the program as simply paperwork.

The Congressional Award requires young people to acknowledge all that they have accomplished by setting goals and working with their Advisor. It is very easy to overlook major contributions of time without documenting the changes, benefits, and growth attained through that effort. This is an opportunity to understand and explain the true value of a youth’s efforts in Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. By placing it on paper, young people acknowledge the work they have done. It is a chance to reflect on all of their accomplishments.

The United States Congress created the Congressional Award to recognize youth for taking initiative, committing to service, and diligently working toward each achievement. Before awardees are presented a medal by their Member of Congress, they must commit in their own words the achievements they have before them. When they return to their Advisor to set new goals, we hope it is with the knowledge that they can achieve anything.

Challenge # 2: Setting Goals

Goal-setting is one of the most important skills any individual can learn. When the United States Congress created the Congressional Award, it was with the intent that young people would face many individual challenges. One of the most unique aspects of the Award requires youth to set goals in each of the four program areas.

Young people will work with their Advisor to set SMART goals in each program area.

S - Specific
M - Measurable
A - Attainable
R - Relevant
T - Timely

Each goal should clearly answer what, when, how and why youth plan to achieve something. Be as specific as possible. What is going to be the accomplishment? What is the final destination of the activities or actions? When will the goal be complete? How are these objectives going to be completed? Why was this goal set?

When setting goals in each program area (Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration) consider some of the indicators expected once the goal is accomplished. Youth who have set a goal to learn a foreign language can measure their goal through proficiency. Youth who have a goal in running or jogging may measure their goals by speed or duration. There are many ways to measure success. Choose a measurement that will easily track progress.

Goals in the Congressional Award should challenge each youth individually. Advisors should work with their participants to assess his/her current strengths and abilities. Set goals that are challenging yet attainable. Each goal should also be relevant to the program area. In Voluntary Public Service, young people should set goals for causes they are passionate about in the community. Each goal should make a direct impact for the community at large. For an Exploration/Expedition, youth should set goals that place them in a unique or unfamiliar environment or culture.

Mark a calendar and try to reach the goal in a timely manner.

Challenge #1: Choosing a Mentor

It is the responsibility of the youth to identify and engage an Advisor for the Congressional Award program. Their Advisor should offer the opportunity for them to work with a trusted friend, counselor, teacher, and an individual with more experience. Choosing a mentor for the Congressional Award program is the very first challenge youth face.

A great mentor will push you to do your best. A great mentor will know your strengths and weakness. A great mentor will help you set appropriate goals. This is an opportunity for young people to choose their own mentor that will guide them in their own personal development.

Before participants set goals with a program, they should work with their mentors to discuss their strengths and passions. Use this foundation to build goals in Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. Participants will continue to set goals with their Advisor while in the Congressional Award program.

Follow the advice of a very famous mentor, Walt Disney. “I do not like to repeat successes; I like to go on to other things.” Good mentors will always push their participants to take on greater challenges after they have accomplished their goal. Find a mentor that will engage and guide your path to the Congressional Award Gold Medal.

Advisors and Validators can NOT be a parent, relative, or peer.

Choosing a Mentor, Setting Goals, Acknowledging the Accomplishment

Youth entering the Congressional Award program will meet many challenges along the way. These challenges are not impassible, but they are opportunities to find guidance, to expand horizons, and to acquire new skills. Any young person, ages 14 to 23, can REGISTER for the Congressional Award.

The Congressional Award Gold Medal requires that each recipient contribute over 400 hours of Voluntary Public Service with over 24 months of activity. This collection of months of activity and hours is the result of the three challenges you must undertake as participant of the Congressional Award.

Challenge #1: Choosing a Mentor
Challenge #2: Setting Goals in each program area
Challenge #3: Acknowledging the Accomplishment

After each youth REGISTERS, they must choose an Advisor. This Advisor will oversee their entire experience with the Congressional Award program. The Congressional Award Act (Public Law 96-114) requires that youth find an appropriate mentor that can help them establish goals in each of the four program areas (Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration). Once a young person has set goals with their Advisor, they will document their accomplishments to submit them to the National Office. It is crucial that each young person acknowledge their own accomplishments within the program. Take the Challenge!