Planning
The Congressional Award or the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award: which should my teenager do?
How the two great service-and-adventure awards compare, and how to choose.
Last reviewed: November 2026
Guides
Practical answers on the youth awards, reviewed every year.
Tallyhurst guides explain how the major youth awards work for American families: what each one requires, how long it takes, which rules catch students out, and how to plan from 8th grade to senior year. Every guide opens with a direct answer, links to the official source for every figure, and is reviewed at least once a year.
Last reviewed: November 2026
Planning
How the two great service-and-adventure awards compare, and how to choose.
Last reviewed: November 2026
Congressional Award
What the Gold Medal's 800 hours look like in an ordinary week, and how to plan the levels.
Last reviewed: November 2026
Planning
A realistic path through the major youth awards, starting at 13.
Last reviewed: November 2026
Congressional Award
Who can sign off a record book, and how to find the right adults.
Last reviewed: November 2026
Congressional Award
What qualifies as an expedition or exploration, and how to plan one that is approved.
Last reviewed: November 2026
International Award
How independent participants in the US plan and complete the Adventurous Journey.
Last reviewed: November 2026
Congressional Award
The common reasons record books are returned for revision, and how to get it right first time.
Last reviewed: November 2026
Congressional Award
What counts as service, personal development and fitness, with examples.
Last reviewed: November 2026
Youth STEMM
Two British STEM awards open to American students, compared.
Last reviewed: November 2026
Planning
What the awards actually show to admissions readers, and how to make them count.
Last reviewed: November 2026
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