Washington DC

Arrive in Washington, DC and settle into the nation’s capital. Begin with a visit to the National Archives for a foundational visit to examine the original documents that shape American democracy. Standing before the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, students consider how ideals are written into law—and how those ideals have been interpreted, contested, and expanded over time. 

The day concludes with a photo opportunity outside the White House followed by a shared meal and program overview focused on civic norms, respectful dialogue, and the guiding themes of democracy, justice, and participation.

Explore the core institutions of the US government with guided experiences on Capitol Hill. Students learn how laws are proposed, debated, and passed, examining the structure of Congress and the realities of political compromise.

Continue to the Library of Congress, where students explore how knowledge, archives, and access to information support democratic systems. A visit to the Supreme Court introduces constitutional interpretation and the role of the judiciary in shaping rights and precedent.

Back at the hotel, students participate in a mock hearing, stepping into roles as justices, advocates, and citizens to debate real-world legal and civil liberties issues.

Spend the morning at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, exploring how Black communities have shaped American democracy through resistance, innovation, and leadership. Over lunch in the museum, students engage with soul food traditions that connect culture, history, and resilience.

In the afternoon, walk the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, stopping at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial to examine how public memory, protest, and language intersect. Students consider how social movements use space, symbolism, and storytelling to demand change.

As evening approaches, enjoy a peaceful stroll around the Tidal Basin, followed by pedal boats on the water, offering a lighter but meaningful way to experience how civic spaces also serve community, reflection, and wellbeing.

Begin the day at Planet Word, an interactive museum dedicated to language. Through immersive exhibits, students explore how words shape identity, influence public opinion, and move people to action.

Continue to the International Spy Museum, where students are assigned secret identities and take part in an interactive workshop. Through challenges involving code-breaking, surveillance, and ethical decision-making, students examine intelligence, security, and the moral complexities of power behind the scenes.

That evening, step off the monumental avenues and into Washington’s historic alleyways to explore the city’s overlooked spaces and stories. Guided by a local historian, you’ll uncover how alleys served as vital sites of community life, labor, resistance, and survival, particularly for Black residents navigating segregation and exclusion. This walk challenges the idea that history only lives in grand buildings, revealing how power and resilience are embedded in the city’s smallest spaces.

Visit the National Air and Space Museum, where students explore innovation, engineering, and exploration. Hands-on experiences may include trying on a spacesuit, engaging with flight simulators, or examining how space science has shaped global collaboration and competition.

Alternatively, participate in a hands-on workshop at the National Museum of Natural History, connecting biodiversity, climate science, and human responsibility through interactive learning.

In the afternoon, enjoy free time on the National Mall for exploration, reflection, or sketching, followed by a sunset visit to the Washington Monument, one of DC’s panoramic observation spots, reflecting on scale, power, and possibility.

Begin the day at Arlington National Cemetery, witnessing the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Students reflect on service, sacrifice, and national memory in a space defined by ritual and respect.

Later, engage with a nonprofit, advocacy organization, or policy-focused institution working on issues such as voting rights, public health, immigration, or environmental justice. Students learn how civic engagement extends beyond government into organizing, coalition-building, and community leadership.

The afternoon includes time in a DC neighborhood beyond the monuments, examining how policy decisions shape daily life, access, and opportunity.

Conclude the program with structured reflection considering how democracy functions not only through buildings and laws, but through participation, dialogue, and action.

Depart Washington, DC carrying forward new perspectives on civic life, power, and your own role in shaping the future.