Congressional Award
[1] The United States Congress founded the program in 1979 to "recognize initiative, service and achievements of young people."
The enabling legislation was sponsored by Senator Malcolm Wallop of Wyoming and Congressman James J. Howard of New Jersey.
The Congressional Award is a public–private partnership officially registered as a 501(c) non-profit organization,[2] funded entirely by private-sector donations.
[3] As a legal entity, the award is a public–private partnership, and its status as a nonprofit organization makes it Congress's only charity.
When a youth has achieved their goals in each program area, and met the necessary requirements for each, they then submit the completed record book to the national office where it is reviewed.
The four key program areas of the Congressional Award are voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration.
The Congressional Award challenges youth to set and achieve a measurable physical fitness goal.
Organizing, planning, training and completing the expedition or exploration requires self-reliance, determination, and cooperation.
"Sign up and go" activities such as jamborees, conferences, sport and summer camps, leadership workshops, cruises, college visits, mission trips, competitions, retreats, and orientations are not appropriate for the Congressional Award expedition/exploration.
This activity usually compels youth to forgo the comforts of home and learn to pack and prepare equipment, set up a tent, and cook food without modern conveniences.
Youth may choose to incorporate a scientific study into their expedition like completing a wildlife survey while on a backpacking trip in a national park or searching for signs of prehistoric life in a remote area.
These may include living on a farm, traveling to a foreign country, visiting a historical site, or exploring a new environment.
The Congressional Award requires youth to complete a set number of hours in each program area, varying on the certificate or medal level being pursued.
In addition to hour requirements, the Congressional Award also has set minimum months of activity needed for each of the main three program areas.
[5] The Congressional Awards' largest event is the annual gold medal ceremony,[6] held in the US Capitol.
Due to the large number of medalists, there are usually two ceremonies on Capitol Hill on the gold medal day.
The cost of the gold nation experience is greatly discounted to medalists due to the fundraising efforts of the Congressional Award Foundation.
The gold medal ceremony also commemorates adults and their participation in youth fund raising and volunteering.
The advisor must sign the youth’s record book prior to submission to the Congressional Award Foundation for review.
In addition to advisors and validators, countless adult volunteers promote the Congressional Award Program throughout the country.
The Congressional Award Foundation's 48-member board of directors is partially appointed by the joint leadership of both parties in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
To better meet the needs of youth, states are assigned to a geographical region—North, South, or West—with a designated program manager.
[17] The inconsistency described in the second matter was resolved in the Form 990 and audited financial statements for fiscal year 2006.
[17] The Congressional Award has enjoyed financial stability in the subsequent years, and its proactive fundraising initiatives are working to ensure that it will never again face a budget shortfall.
