Close Up: Washington D.C.

The Washington Flagship Program

Close Up’s flagship High School Program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to experience their government in action. From visits to Washington’s famous monuments, memorials, and institutions, to meetings with their Congressional delegation on Capitol Hill, Close Up students get a first-hand look at the American political system and consider what role they, as students, play in our democracy.

Close Up is not just a tour, nor is it a series of lectures. Close Up takes what students learn in the classroom and brings it to life! Close Up really does make learning fun!

Throughout the week, students explore DC and interact with students from all across the country. With the help of our program instructors, students consider how the people and events represented in DC’s memorials impact their lives today. As a non-profit, non-partisan organization, Close Up helps students learn more about their history and government while considering a variety of viewpoints. This keeps students interested, informed, and engaged. They are not just passively listening to a tour guide—they are making a personal connection with the famous places of the nation’s capital

Close Up students also get face to face with Washington insiders that play a key role in the American political system. Our seminar panels often include lobbyists, journalists, and members of the Armed Forces. These instrumental political players take time to answer questions from students and explain more about how they impact government and policy. Additionally, our weekly ‘hot topics’ debate pits guest speakers - a liberal and a conservative- against one another as students moderate the debate and get involved in issues important to them. The program culminates with a banquet and dance, giving students the chance to unwind, say goodbye to their new friends, and reflect on what they have learned during their trip.

Close Up 2016

"In early November of 2016, Ms. Rafferty brought 12 students on the Close Up trip to D.C. On this trip we spent every day at a different historical location, be it monument or museum. At each site, we would learn the history of each location and compare the events that inspired the monuments to events of the present day. For example, when we visited the MLK memorial, we discussed past and present race issues as we toured the site. Additionally, we visited museums while in D.C., the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture to name a few, but the whole trip wasn't solely oriented towards reinforcing what we have already learned in a classroom on site. A huge portion of the trip was dedicated towards meeting new people with new and different political views and beliefs as we have. We all made new friendships and formulated bonds not only between our friends and roommates, but between our group leaders and teachers as well. Close Up provided us all with an opportunity to experience history and government firsthand, as well as experience new perspectives all in a short period of time at the heart of politics in Washington D.C."

• Meredith L. (2016 Close Up student participant)

For more information about Close Up visit: http://www.closeup.org/