Congressional Award

The Congressional Award is a public partnership created by Congress to promote and recognize achievement, initiative and service in America’s youth.  The Congressional Award program is dedicated to promoting volunteerism, personal development, physical fitness and exploration among America’s youth.  The award presents a unique opportunity for young people to set and achieve personally challenging goals that build character and foster community service, personal development and citizenship.  It is a non-competitive award open to anyone between the ages of 14 and 23.

Each participant is required to set and achieve individual goals in four program areas: Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness and Expedition/Exploration. There are six different levels that can be earned from Bronze certificate to Gold Medal. The level earned depends on how many hours a participant is willing to put into the program.  Participants can work at their own pace, plan their own activities to meet each program area and keep their own records.  A Gold Medal ceremony is held annually on Capitol Hill.

For more information about the Congressional Award program, visit CongressionalAward.org or call my District Office in Alexandria at (703) 971-4700.