Congressional Award Program

The Congressional Award Program is open to any U.S. citizen ages 13.5 -24. The participants set goals in each of these four areas; Voluntary Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Exploration/Expedition, (which are day trips or overnight trips planned by the participant). To achieve the Gold Medal, presented by Congress, participants must complete 400 hours of Voluntary Service, 200 hours of Personal Development, 200 hours of Physical Fitness, and 4 nights/5 days of Exploration/Expedition. The participant works with an adviser of their choice, who is an adult not related to them. Visit their website for more info: http://congressionalaward.org/about/

For Alex, we are planning on taking about four years to complete the program. That way, it isn't stressful and if something happens to prevent him from completing it; he will still have more time. Using this  time frame he will need to complete 8.5 hours of Voluntary Service a month, 4.5 hours of Personal Development a month, 4.5 hours of Physical Fitness a month, with the Exploration/Expeditions thrown in when needed. 

He will be volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House. He chose the Ronald McDonald House for his volunteering for several reasons. 1. He can do the Caring Cards at home. 2. Being part of the Cookie Crew helps develop kitchen skills. 3. Everyone there is so nice. 4. There are other volunteer opportunities available so there is room for growth. 5. It's fun!

Alex's Personal Development will be reading nonfiction books and writing book reports on them. He can have two goals at a time, so he might include taking safety courses from the Red Cross as his secondary goal.

Alex chose learning to swim as his Physical Fitness goal. We have yet to decide if roller skating will be a secondary goal or will count as P.E. 

We are still working out the details of the Exploration/Expedition. Alex will plan a few day trips to either National Parks or State Parks. Later he will plan a camping trip. These ideas are subject to change.

Alex chose our friend Angel to be his adviser. Angel is already someone that Alex looks up to and knows well. Angel is also someone that we, Alex's parents, trust to speak into his life and who will hold Alex accountable.

I like that this program will help him mature and experience some things he might not otherwise have chosen. Also, since these are goals that Alex has set, he will be more engaged in bringing them to pass. 

The Congressional Award doesn't seem to be a well known program, though it should be. From what I read, less than 400 people received the Gold Medal last year, even though this program is open to all U.S. citizens from 13.5-24. 

Marie-Anne