Who can participate on program?
Students
in grades 6-8 can participate on our Middle School programs. Students
in grades 9-12 can participate on our High School programs. A minimum
GPA or previous leadership experience is not required.
If
you have questions or requests for students with special needs, contact
Sharon at 800-256-7387, ext. 499. Although we defray some of the costs,
specialized assistance such as health techs or sign language
interpretation may incur additional charges.
Our programs are physically and mentally demanding.
Students should be able to be on program for 10+ hours per day and be
able to interact positively with peers, our staff, and the other people
with whom they will have contact on program.
Can parents/teachers observe student program?
Yes,
teachers and parents can be silent observers on our student program,
space permitting. Please discuss your interest ahead of time with the
Program Leader.
When do programs begin and end?
Most
programs begin on Sunday with orientation, dinner, and an activity at a
famous site. They end on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, depending on
the options selected. If you want to pick your own start and end
dates, our “Make Your Own DC” program enables you to do. For details,
click here.
What should students wear on program?
Students
should wear casual clothes (jeans and sneakers are ok). Be sure
students bring comfortable shoes as they will be walking a great deal.
High school students are expected to dress up for Capitol Hill Day.
This means coats and ties for boys and dress/slacks/skirts for girls.
Can students leave program to visit family, friends, or local colleges?
Yes.
Students can visit family, friends, and local colleges during their
independent time. Students must receive prior approval from the Program
Leader, as well as provide a signed permission slip from their parents.
Why do we ask students and teachers to fill out surveys about program?
We
constantly re-evaluate our program. Your feedback through the surveys
and other sessions we have together is a vital part in this process of
continuous improvement.
What do teachers and other adults on our High School program do?
They
participate in their own program led by our Teacher Program
Specialists, attending luncheons, making site visits, and discussing
best practices with peers. Teachers also accompany their students to
meet with elected officials on Capitol Hill, monitor students during
independent time (those students who don’t attend Close Up-led
electives), and travel with students on all out-of-town options.
What do teachers and other adults on our Middle School program do?
There
are a variety of activities for teachers and other adults. Some of
these take place with your students (such as going to the White House),
while others are just for adults (various speakers and luncheon
events). Teachers also travel with students on all out-of-town options.
What are my responsibilities as a teacher? You’ll
spend most of your time on our Teachers program while we supervise your
students on our student program. You’ll have ample opportunity to meet
with them, if you choose. There are a few times when you will be with
them in a supervisory capacity. For high school teachers, this
includes going with them to Capitol Hill and monitoring them during
independent time (unless they join a Close Up-led elective). We’ll
supervise your students on out-of-town programmatic activities,
including in Jamestown and Williamsburg. You’ll be there as our
guest. If you’re going to New York after our Washington program ends,
you and your adult chaperones will manage your students on that part of
the experience. We’ll be there to coordinate travel, lodging, meals,
security, site visits and even entertainment. We encourage you to
participate in our feedback sessions and to complete the surveys to
help us better serve you in the future.