NAIS Student Civic Leadership Summit

The program is open to high-school-age students with an interest in civic action and community engagement, who are traveling with a faculty advisor from their school attending the NNSP Annual Conference.

The NNSP Annual Conference serves all educators interested in the intersection of community engagement, social impact, and traditional academic curriculum. It runs concurrently to this student summit. Educators attending the conference will take part in a professional development experience that is unique to community engagement and social impact work in K-12 education. NNSP Annual Conference attendees serve as chaperones and faculty advisors to their school’s summit delegation.

Yes. For students to qualify for summit participation, a faculty advisor must attend the NNSP Annual Conference to gain critical insights and resources to support students with their school and community-based projects. The summit and adult conference culminate with a student presentation, during which each school group presents to educators the vision statements, strategies, and implementation plans they’ve developed to make an impact in their community.

The minimum number of students is four. We ask that schools bring a cohort of 4-8 students.

Students at a hotel in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, the same location where the NNSP Annual Conference is held. There are two students per room and each student has their own bed. Students room with other students from their school. School coordinators assign roommates.

No. Close Up provides night monitors in each hallway who check the students into their rooms each night and are available should they need anything overnight.

Yes. You can observe the students in action at any point during the program and we have dedicated school advisor check-ins each day.

Program days typically run from 9am to 10pm. Students engage in a variety of experiential, academic, and social activities in both large-group and small-group settings, facilitated by Close Up program instructors. While students have the opportunity to explore the nation’s capital, most programming takes place at the hotel.

Upon arrival in Washington, D.C., every student is assigned to a homeroom group that includes one Close Up program instructor and a small core group of students. Students take part in daily discussions, debriefs, and feedback sessions.

Upon arrival, students are assigned to a homeroom group with a program instructor and 20-25 students from other schools. This allows students to hear from, learn from, and meet peers with different perspectives from across the country. Homeroom groups participate in discussions, debriefs, and workshops together each day. Students are together by school for action planning sessions throughout the week and to prepare for presenting at the NNSP Annual Conference.

Students must travel together as a school cohort with a faculty advisor attending the NNSP Annual Conference. Please contact us at programsupport@closeup.org with any questions.