Close Up's Washington D.C. Trip for High School Students

Close Up programs are unlike any other!

Using the city as a living classroom, Close Up’s Washington, D.C., trip allows high school students to make personal connections with the people and institutions that embody our nation’s past and present.

Close Up’s once-in-a-lifetime program opportunities are designed to inspire and empower students to become active participants in our democracy. With the help of our program instructors, students experience history and government, consider a variety of viewpoints on important current issues, and build the skills of engaged citizenship.

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Why Close Up?

An all-inclusive, easy-to-plan approach

Exclusive access to our nation’s capital and Washington insiders

Interactive visits to famous monuments, museums, and institutions

Meaningful discussions with students from around the country

A one-of-a-kind teacher experience with professional development

A safe and secure environment at all times

Highly trained program instructors who put students first

Intriguing case study analysis, exciting simulations, and other activities.

Engaging, hands-on learning opportunities

A program curriculum that complements classroom learning

EXPLORE OUR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Washington, D.C.

Six-Day Program

Learn about American democracy first-hand during this in-depth exploration of the nation’s capital. Learn More >

Fourth of July 2025

Celebrate an unforgettable Independence Day in D.C. with Close Up! Learn More >

NextGen Roundtable: AI & Democracy Summer Institute

Join us at Stanford University this summer to study policy at the intersection of technology and society! Learn More >

Customize a Program for Your School

Partner with Close Up to design a customized experience for your school! Learn More >

Civil Discourse Lab

Customize a four-day, deliberation-focused program to help your students think critically and develop empathy for other views. Learn More >

Washington, D.C. & New York City

Examine the relationship between business and government while visiting two of America’s most important cities. Learn More >

Washington, D.C.

Four-Day Program

Explore the capital city in a fast-paced, four-day adventure! Learn More >

New Americans Program

Discover our nation’s diverse heritage in a D.C. program geared toward immigrant and migrant students. Learn More >

American Indian Focus Programs

Consider the issues facing Indian Country in one of three exclusive programs in the nation’s capital. Learn More >

High school girls smiling in front of US Capitol Building

Develop the skills for a lifetime of active citizenship.

Close Up’s Washington D.C. trip curriculum uses the principles of cooperative learning and experiential, issue-centered education to inspire and empower students. We focus on:

Reasoned discussion, debate, and deliberation of real-world issues;
Simulations of government processes;
Student facilitation and peer-to-peer engagement; and
Onsite learning about advocacy and policymaking.

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“

As a government teacher, it’s nice to have more resources…

for teaching media literacy and having students critically think about the information they receive.

— High School, Educator, Texas ”

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“

I plan to introduce Close Up’s professional development to the teachers I work with…

and use this as a part of my school’s requirement that students take action on issues of local, national, and international importance.

— Middle School, Educator, South Carolina ”

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“

I’m truly blown away by what Close Up’s been able to accomplish in the last two weeks during IMPACT 2020…

The material seems very high level, and my daughter’s been very motivated to participate every day. I wanted to be sure to commend the staff on providing such a great experience!

— Alison, Parent, MA ”

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