The Congressional Award Initiative: Recognizing Youth Achievement

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The Congressional Award is a prestigious program recognizing initiative, service, and achievement in American youth aged 13-23. Established by Congress in 1979, it encourages goal-setting, citizenship, and public service through voluntary activities in areas like personal development, physical fitness, and exploration. Participants can earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals by fulfilling requirements such as community service hours and skill development. The program offers numerous benefits, including opportunities for mentorship, national recognition, and interactions with members of Congress.

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THE CONGRESSIONAL AWARD INITIATIVE // SERVICE // ACHIEVEMENT

ABOUT Highest honor bestowed upon a youth civilian by the U.S. Congress Open to all youth ages 13 - 23 Founded by Congress in 1979 Public Law 96-114: The Congressional Award Act Public-private partnership Non-partisan program to honor initiative, service, and achievement in America s youth

BENEFITS Awarded for work 4-H ers are already doing Superlative for college, job, scholarship, and internship applications nationally recognized and reputable Mentor-based opportunities Encourages goal-setting and fosters principles of citizenship Serves communities near and far Interactions with Members of Congress Medals struck by U.S. Mint

THE PROGRAM Voluntary Public Service Personal Development Physical Fitness Expedition/Exploration

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS Bronze Certificate Silver Certificate Gold Bronze Medal Silver Medal Gold Medal Certificate Voluntary Public Service 30 hours 60 hours 90 hours 100 hours 200 hours 400 hours Personal Development 15 hours 30 hours 45 hours 50 hours 100 hours 200 hours Physical Fitness 15 hours 30 hours 45 hours 50 hours 100 hours 200 hours Expedition or Exploration 1 day 2 days 3 days 2 days, 1 night 3 days, 2 nights 5 days, 4 nights Total Minimum Months No No minimum 6 months 7 months 12 months 24 months minimum

VOLUNTARY PUBLIC SERVICE Serving without compensation Active volunteering with direct service to the community Activities must benefit greater community at-large (public organizations, non-partisan, non-religious, no hot-button issues) Bronze Medal Silver Medal Gold Medal Example: I will provide a minimum of 100 hours of service under the direction of my 4-H Agent. 100 hours 200 hours 400 hours 7 12 24 May set up to four different goals months months months

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Pursue a new activity or advance ability in an existing interest Consider your 4-H project and activities done within your 4-H project Examples: I will improve my photography skills by competing in two photography contests, attending the State 4-H Photography Workshop, and shadowing a photographer for 18 hours. I will improve my poultry knowledge by learning the differences between the top five most popular chicken breeds, selecting my chickens, caring for them, and showing them at the county fair. Bronze Medal Silver Medal Gold Medal 50 100 hours 200 hours hours 7 12 24 May set up to two different goals months months months

PHYSICAL FITNESS Goals cannot be competitive 4-H fitness projects are a good fit Include current fitness level and determine where you d like to advance Examples: I will improve my basketball skills so that my free-throw percentage will increase from 35 to 40 percent. I can presently jog 1 mile in 15 minutes and I intend to improve my time to 10.5 minutes per mile. Bronze Medal Silver Medal Gold Medal 50 100 hours 200 hours hours 7 12 24 May set up to two different goals months months months

EXPEDITION or EXPLORATION Expedition: Discover the great outdoors Exploration: Experience culture, history, humanity Organize, prepare, and execute does not have to be costly or far off Every Exploration/Expedition is reviewed for Planning, Immersion, and Challenge Bronze Medal Silver Medal Gold Medal Examples: Canoe trip, camping, shadow a person with a physical impairment, live the life of a ranch hand, explore a historical area or culture, spend a week living with a family from a different background than you 2 days, 1 night 3 days, 2 nights 5 days, 4 nights

GET STARTED 1. Register online at http://congressionalaward.org OR mail in paper registration form 2. Provide completed waiver and $25 registration fee* to your County Agent 3. Meet with your County Agent to set goals 4. Record your progress 5. Complete your Record Book and submit to your County Agent *Registration fee can be waived for youth on free/reduced lunch. County Agent can submit a letter with a document confirming status.

ADULT MENTORS Advisor LRSO Validators Extension Agent/PA Reviews program requirements and guidelines Reviews program requirements and guidelines Helps you set goals ensuring they re measurable, achievable, worthwhile, challenging, fulfilling Makes sure youth have qualified Validators Periodically reviews progress toward goals Oversees your activity in the specific program area Reviews and signs Record Book before submission to national office Helps you identify your starting level and how your goal will be measured Signs off on specific Record Book page once activity is completed

MEDAL CEREMONY There will be a state ceremony for Arkansas 4-H medal recipients. Gold Medalists attend an annual ceremony in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC each summer with members of Congress. *Certificates are mailed directly to participants.