Participants use a record book to track their progress in four program areas, which are described in detail below. Participants must register officially to receive their record books, which are required to document and verify activities. After achieving their goals and meeting the program requirements, participants submit their completed record books to the national office for review. The office notifies them of approval or requests additional information.
Program areas Voluntary public service This area encourages participants to share their time and talents for the benefit of others. Activities must be unpaid and may include services used to meet graduation requirements. Youth are expected to provide direct service to the
community. Participants may set up to four goals per record book in this category.
Personal development The
personal development component challenges participants to broaden their horizons by pursuing new interests or advancing existing skills. Goals should focus on developing individual talents,
life skills, or personal growth. Participants may set up to two goals per record book.
Physical fitness This category promotes physical well-being through measurable fitness goals. Participants may take up a new physical activity or improve their performance in an existing one. Both team and individual activities qualify as long as they demonstrate progress toward improved fitness. School
gym classes do not count toward this requirement. Up to two goals may be submitted per record book.
Expedition or exploration This component aims to build self-reliance, determination, and cooperation through adventure and discovery. Participants plan and complete either an expedition (an outdoor or wilderness experience) or an
exploration (a cultural or environmental experience). Expeditions typically involve
camping,
hiking, or other
outdoor activities that require
planning and
survival skills, while explorations focus on new
cultural or environmental experiences, such as visiting
historical sites, living on a
farm, or traveling to another region or country. Activities like
conferences,
camps, retreats, or organized tours do not qualify, as the experience must be independently planned and executed by the participant.
Value-added partnerships The Congressional Award allows participants to count many of their existing activities toward the program through partnerships with
non-profit youth organizations such as: •
4-H •
AmeriCorps NCCC •
ASPCA •
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America •
Boys & Girls Clubs of America •
Scouting America •
Civil Air Patrol •
Girl Scouts of the USA •
Habitat for Humanity •
Red Cross •
YMCA Activities completed prior to registration do not count, as the award focuses on goal-setting and achievement, not past accomplishments.
Requirements Participants must complete a set number of hours and months of activity in each of the four program areas, depending on the award level pursued (bronze, silver, or gold). Participants work at their own pace, and higher-level awards include recognition for lower-level achievements. Partial awards are not granted; all four program areas must be completed at the required level before an award is issued. The minimum time requirements encourage sustained engagement rather than short-term participation.
Certificate Levels :
Medal levels :
Adult volunteers The Congressional Award is designed to bridge the gap between
adolescence and
adulthood. Working with adults is one way participants can achieve this. Most participants work with five or more adults throughout the program: one
advisor and four validators.
Advisors Each youth selects one adult to serve as their advisor, so long as that advisor is not a relative or a peer.
Teachers, neighbors,
clergy, and
coaches are examples of possible advisors. The advisor meets regularly with the youth to assist them in setting goals and completing the record book. The advisor must sign the youth's record book before submission to the Congressional Award Foundation for review.
Validators Validators assist the participant with individual activities within a particular program area. Validators should be knowledgeable and/or experienced in the activity being pursued. For example, if a youth's goal and activities involved
basketball, a basketball coach would make a suitable validator. Similarly, if a youth volunteers at an
animal shelter, a senior employee or the volunteer coordinator would be an appropriate validator. An advisor can also serve as a validator. While not particularly common, this is appropriate if a suitable validator cannot be found. In addition to advisors and validators, adult volunteers promote the Congressional Award Program throughout the country. == Congressional Award Foundation ==