First look at their site,
What would you say about haveing this program in your squadron? It is a personal goals/ community service program that gives bronze, silver and gold (real) medals.
You forgot to put the site in.
I was on a mobile device so it isn't easy to do much, http://www.congressionalaward.org/
This is an individual program really outside of CAP's authority. CAP is a supporting org in that projects by the individual while doing something for CAP will count for "credit" toward award levels. Once you are registered with them it takes a minimum of 2 years to reach Gold medal level. There is a huge amount of paperwork and record keeping needed to support the awards and the Congressional Committee does require all supporting records.
These awards are available to youth from ages 12 to 24. They are worn on day of presentation and not afterward. There is no ribbon available for the service dress uniform, so that may put off some cadets. It is purely for personal enrichment. My son was awarded his Gold Medal in 2008, it sits with the Silver and Bronze Medals in their boxes on a shelf.
You'd think they'd try to incorporate the Presidential physical fitness program into their fitness program. But, redundancy is a fact of governmental life.
Quote from: RiverAux on January 11, 2011, 10:50:09 PM
You'd think they'd try to incorporate the Presidential physical fitness program into their fitness program. But, redundancy is a fact of governmental life.
There is a fitness segment that has to be completed for each level. It just has more interest areas that one might pursue.
Youth
The Congressional Award is about challenge. It is a fun and interesting way to get more involved in something you already enjoy or something you would like to try for the first time. To earn the Award, you set goals in four Program Areas:
Voluntary Public Service
Personal Development
Personal Fitness
Expedition/Exploration
You select an adult advisor who will help you set challenging but achievable goals and plan activities to reach those goals. Then you are on your way to earning the Congressional Award.
Quote from: spaatzmom on January 11, 2011, 10:25:17 PM
This is an individual program really outside of CAP's authority. CAP is a supporting org in that projects by the individual while doing something for CAP will count for "credit" toward award levels. Once you are registered with them it takes a minimum of 2 years to reach Gold medal level. There is a huge amount of paperwork and record keeping needed to support the awards and the Congressional Committee does require all supporting records.
These awards are available to youth from ages 12 to 24. They are worn on day of presentation and not afterward. There is no ribbon available for the service dress uniform, so that may put off some cadets. It is purely for personal enrichment. My son was awarded his Gold Medal in 2008, it sits with the Silver and Bronze Medals in their boxes on a shelf.
I meant for this to be an extra type club. I have even seen boyscouts do this, may cadets like myself are homeschooled and don't really know anyone to be the mentor. (Yes I know, someone outside your family)
Is this another one of those awards like the PVSA where you have to buy the award yourself?
Quote from: ElectricPenguin on January 12, 2011, 03:41:07 AM
Quote from: spaatzmom on January 11, 2011, 10:25:17 PM
This is an individual program really outside of CAP's authority. CAP is a supporting org in that projects by the individual while doing something for CAP will count for "credit" toward award levels. Once you are registered with them it takes a minimum of 2 years to reach Gold medal level. There is a huge amount of paperwork and record keeping needed to support the awards and the Congressional Committee does require all supporting records.
These awards are available to youth from ages 12 to 24. They are worn on day of presentation and not afterward. There is no ribbon available for the service dress uniform, so that may put off some cadets. It is purely for personal enrichment. My son was awarded his Gold Medal in 2008, it sits with the Silver and Bronze Medals in their boxes on a shelf.
I meant for this to be an extra type club. I have even seen boyscouts do this, may cadets like myself are homeschooled and don't really know anyone to be the mentor. (Yes I know, someone outside your family)
Your mentor can be any adult, minister, teacher, coach, family friend, neighbor, etc. Who do you look up to and have a good working relationship with?
Quote from: Eclipse on January 12, 2011, 03:56:31 AM
Is this another one of those awards like the PVSA where you have to buy the award yourself?
No, Congress provides them. If you achieve the Gold Medal level, you are able to go to DC and have it presented there, then you will incur housing and food expenses.
Quote from: spaatzmom on January 12, 2011, 03:57:03 AM
Quote from: ElectricPenguin on January 12, 2011, 03:41:07 AM
Quote from: spaatzmom on January 11, 2011, 10:25:17 PM
This is an individual program really outside of CAP's authority. CAP is a supporting org in that projects by the individual while doing something for CAP will count for "credit" toward award levels. Once you are registered with them it takes a minimum of 2 years to reach Gold medal level. There is a huge amount of paperwork and record keeping needed to support the awards and the Congressional Committee does require all supporting records.
These awards are available to youth from ages 12 to 24. They are worn on day of presentation and not afterward. There is no ribbon available for the service dress uniform, so that may put off some cadets. It is purely for personal enrichment. My son was awarded his Gold Medal in 2008, it sits with the Silver and Bronze Medals in their boxes on a shelf.
I meant for this to be an extra type club. I have even seen boyscouts do this, may cadets like myself are homeschooled and don't really know anyone to be the mentor. (Yes I know, someone outside your family)
Your mentor can be any adult, minister, teacher, coach, family friend, neighbor, etc. Who do you look up to and have a good working relationship with?
What, so it can be any adult includeing parents? I though the site said differently, but anyways, I move a lot so I don't know many people near me outside of cap. I just thought this woultd be nice to have it in squadrons who choose to have it.
Quote from: ElectricPenguin on January 12, 2011, 05:36:18 AM
Quote from: spaatzmom on January 12, 2011, 03:57:03 AM
Quote from: ElectricPenguin on January 12, 2011, 03:41:07 AM
Quote from: spaatzmom on January 11, 2011, 10:25:17 PM
This is an individual program really outside of CAP's authority. CAP is a supporting org in that projects by the individual while doing something for CAP will count for "credit" toward award levels. Once you are registered with them it takes a minimum of 2 years to reach Gold medal level. There is a huge amount of paperwork and record keeping needed to support the awards and the Congressional Committee does require all supporting records.
These awards are available to youth from ages 12 to 24. They are worn on day of presentation and not afterward. There is no ribbon available for the service dress uniform, so that may put off some cadets. It is purely for personal enrichment. My son was awarded his Gold Medal in 2008, it sits with the Silver and Bronze Medals in their boxes on a shelf.
I meant for this to be an extra type club. I have even seen boyscouts do this, may cadets like myself are homeschooled and don't really know anyone to be the mentor. (Yes I know, someone outside your family)
Your mentor can be any adult, minister, teacher, coach, family friend, neighbor, etc. Who do you look up to and have a good working relationship with?
What, so it can be any adult includeing parents? I though the site said differently, but anyways, I move a lot so I don't know many people near me outside of cap. I just thought this woultd be nice to have it in squadrons who choose to have it.
Mentors cannot be related to you because of conflict of interest.
That's. Where I am stuck, other then cap, I have nothing.
Quote from: ElectricPenguin on January 11, 2011, 08:54:44 PM
First look at their site,
What would you say about haveing this program in your squadron? It is a personal goals/ community service program that gives bronze, silver and gold (real) medals.
To everyone who wants to do the award, here are some important CAP links about it.
http://members.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/P052_005_752FE74A356B3.pdf
http://www.congressionalaward.org/
http://capnhq.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/capnhq.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=400&p_created=1022006645&p_topview=1
Again, your mentor can be adult non family member. If you are on good terms personally with a CAP SM who would agree to take on the mentorship, by all means have them sign the paperwork and guide you through the levels. CAP squadrons themselves do not have to sign up cadets en-mass for this, and I would think if they did it might send a few red flags to the Congressional Committee for paper-pushing kids through the program.
Quote from: ElectricPenguin on January 12, 2011, 03:41:07 AM
Quote from: spaatzmom on January 11, 2011, 10:25:17 PM
This is an individual program really outside of CAP's authority. CAP is a supporting org in that projects by the individual while doing something for CAP will count for "credit" toward award levels. Once you are registered with them it takes a minimum of 2 years to reach Gold medal level. There is a huge amount of paperwork and record keeping needed to support the awards and the Congressional Committee does require all supporting records.
These awards are available to youth from ages 12 to 24. They are worn on day of presentation and not afterward. There is no ribbon available for the service dress uniform, so that may put off some cadets. It is purely for personal enrichment. My son was awarded his Gold Medal in 2008, it sits with the Silver and Bronze Medals in their boxes on a shelf.
I meant for this to be an extra type club. I have even seen boyscouts do this, may cadets like myself are homeschooled and don't really know anyone to be the mentor. (Yes I know, someone outside your family)
For this to be an "extra type club" negates the personal self-fulfillment aspect of this award. I had people work with me on individual sections of requirements, but was never in a total group for the entire thing. My mentor/advisor happened to be a CAP Major who helped keep me on track and once I provided him with the documentation would sign off on the different aspects.
For an example of the goals you can do for each section, I chose:
Expedition/Exploration: Went to Egypt to learn about their culture and attend a "Peace Camp" with students from all around the world.
Volunteer Public Service: Provided 52 Thanksgiving dinners to 52 needy families annually for my entire High School career and provide website services to the National Honor Guard Academy out of my own pocket while being an Honor Guardsman.
Personal Development: Attain my solo pilot ticket (Costs prohibited attaining my Private) and teaching myself HTML, XHTML, PHP, MySQL, ASP.NET, C++, VB.NET and MSSQL and putting those skills to use within my Group (at the time).
Fitness: Improve my fitness levels to be able to pass the CPFT for the Spaatz Award and become a PADI Rescue Diver.
Note: these are examples of what I did to attain the Congressional Award Gold Medal, as long as your plans for each section are approved and meet the criteria, you can do whatever.
Quote from: ElectricPenguin on January 12, 2011, 03:40:32 PM
That's. Where I am stuck, other then cap, I have nothing.
Then do what I did, ask someone in CAP to be your mentor, most senior members would be honored.
Thanks, I just figurered it would be kinda awkward.
Quote from: ElectricPenguin on January 13, 2011, 02:16:51 AM
Thanks, I just figurered it would be kinda awkward.
Better to feel awkward for a moment than miss out on an opportunity.