How to Win the Congressional Award Gold Medal

The Congressional Award honors young people for their initiative, service, and accomplishments. Its highest level is the Gold Medal. Read on for strategies and inspiration to earn it.

Introduction

The Congressional Award was established by the United States Congress in 1979 to recognize the initiative, service, and accomplishments of young people. It began as a bipartisan effort in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, with Senator Malcolm Wallop of Wyoming and Congressman James Howard of New Jersey as the original sponsors of the bill.

Enacted under Public Law 96-114, the Congressional Award operates as a public-private partnership funded entirely by private sources. President Jimmy Carter first signed the legislation into law, and later administrations have continued to support its mission.

Know the Basics

• Eligibility:
  • The program is open to youth aged 14 to 24 from all backgrounds within the United States, regardless of ability or socioeconomic status.
  • Participants can earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold Certificates, as well as Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals, reflecting their level of achievement.
  • The program has four core areas: Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. Participants set goals in each area to progress through the levels.
  • You can enroll starting at 13½ years old, so you can begin planning your goals and activities early.
  • You become eligible to submit completed record book applications for review at age 14, the official start of your journey toward the award.
• Program areas and requirements by level:
  • Bronze Level:
    • Voluntary Public Service: 100 hours, minimum 7 months
    • Personal Development: 50 hours, minimum 7 months
    • Physical Fitness: 50 hours, minimum 7 months
    • Expedition: 2-day, 1-night trip
  • Silver Level:
    • Voluntary Public Service: 200 hours, minimum 12 months
    • Personal Development: 100 hours, minimum 12 months
    • Physical Fitness: 100 hours, minimum 12 months
    • Expedition: 3-day, 2-night trip
  • Gold Level:
    • Voluntary Public Service: 400 hours, minimum 24 months
    • Personal Development: 200 hours, minimum 24 months
    • Physical Fitness: 200 hours, minimum 24 months
    • Expedition: 5-day, 4-night trip

Getting Started

Start Early

• Register early: you can register at 13½ years old and begin submitting activities at age 14. Starting early gives you more time to complete the required hours and months for each area.
• Activity start date: your “activity start date” is set when you register. That’s the day you can start counting activities toward the program.

Set Challenging Goals

• Think big: the Gold Award is the highest level, so set ambitious, personally challenging goals in each area, showing a significant commitment to:
  • Community service: make a lasting impact on your community.
  • Personal development: build your skills, knowledge, and character.
  • Physical fitness: maintain an active, healthy lifestyle.
  • Expedition/exploration: explore new places and challenge yourself.
• Be specific: define clear objectives for each area. For example:
  • “I will organize a monthly food drive for the local shelter.”
  • “I will learn a new language and reach conversational fluency.”
  • “I will run a marathon and improve my time.”
  • “I will hike part of the Appalachian Trail over summer break.”

“The Congressional Award program is great; it’s tough but allows you to grow in leadership, personal development, and physical fitness. What’s cool is that it is recognized by the United States and was actually a bill signed into law, meaning that it’s Congress’ highest honor for youth.”

Yashvir Sabharwal, a recipient of the Gold Medal, 2024

Plan Your Activities

• Align with goals: identify activities that match your goals, your interests, and the impact you want to make.
• Diverse activities: engage in a variety of activities within each area, balancing volunteering, skill-building, fitness, and exploration.
• Keep records: track the hours and months you spend on each activity using the provided Workbook and Activity Log.

Seek Support

• Choose an advisor: pick an advisor who can guide you through the process, someone you trust and feel comfortable with.
• Collaborate: work closely with your advisor to set meaningful goals and plan activities. Regular check-ins keep you on track.

Stay Organized

• Use the Record Book: the Record Book is your roadmap. It outlines the requirements and helps you organize your achievements.
• Track progress: update your Record Book regularly and make sure you meet the requirements for each area. For the Gold Medal, that means:
  • Voluntary Public Service: 400 hours of community service.
  • Personal Development: 200 hours of personal growth.
  • Physical Fitness: 200 hours of fitness activities.
  • Expedition/Exploration: a five-day adventure.
• Attention to detail: accuracy matters. Double-check your entries against the guidelines.
• Congressional Award Workbook.
• Congressional Award Activity Log.

Submit Your Record Book

• Completion check: once you’ve completed the required activities, submit your Record Book for review by the National Office.
• Patience: the review may take several weeks. Use that time to keep working toward the next award level.

How to Register

• Register online: visit the official Congressional Award website to begin. When you register, your “activity start date” is set, marking the day you can start counting activities.
• Pay a one-time registration fee of $25.00.
• Fee waiver: participants who qualify for their school’s free or reduced lunch program based on financial need may have the registration fee waived. If you qualify, follow the instructions and submit the required documentation.

Attend the Gold Medal Ceremony

• Celebrate: if you can, attend the annual Gold Medal Ceremony in Washington, D.C., where you’ll receive your award.
• Local presentation: if you can’t attend in person, you can have your Gold Medal presented locally or mailed to you.

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Note: the Congressional Award is a non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive program open to young people of all backgrounds and interests.

Here’s another guide on earning the U.S. Presidential Scholar Award.

As you pursue the Gold Congressional Award, remember it’s not just about the honor. It’s about growth, service, and the difference you make. Every hour you put in, every goal you set, and every obstacle you overcome helps you grow. Whether you’re at the top of a mountain or helping your community, you’re part of something bigger: a community of young leaders working toward change.

How can you start?

If you want to succeed in high school, check out Rishab Jain’s YouTube channel. Rishab, a U.S. Presidential Scholar and ISEF winner currently studying at Harvard, shares guidance on succeeding in high school. With numerous research papers to his name, his channel is full of helpful guides and insights.