Objective: Help students understand the functions of government and their roles as active citizens. 

Activities:  

Workshops on Civic Responsibility: Facilitate sessions on how students can engage with civic issues, such as advocacy, voting, and community involvement. 

Speak with Government Officials: Students will have an opportunity to speak with various government officials for a deeper dive in civic engagement issues 

Objective: Connect students with service opportunities that address local needs while fostering empathy and a commitment to giving back. 

Activities: 

Volunteering with Local Organizations: Students will partner with a D.C.-based non-profit that focus on homelessness, education, food security, or environmental stewardship. 

Reflective Journaling: Students are encouraged to keep a daily journal on their service experience, focusing on how the work affects their views on community, privilege, and personal responsibility. 

Post-Service Discussions: Students will participate in group discussions to process and analyze the impact of their service on the community and on themselves. 

Objective: Foster a deeper understanding of America’s diverse histories and cultural narratives, especially those often underrepresented. 

Activities: 

Visits to Key Museums: Planned visits to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of the American Indian, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, each emphasizing different cultural perspectives. 

Sensitivity Training: Students will be prepared with cultural sensitivity training to approach these experiences with respect and thoughtfulness prior to the trip.

Guided Reflections: After each visit, discussions will be held on the importance of these histories in shaping modern-day America and how they connect to social justice issues. 

Objective: Enhance leadership skills through hands-on activities, self-reflection, and group collaboration. 

Activities: 

Evening Debriefs: Reflect on daily activities with questions like, "What leadership qualities did you observe today?" and "How did you contribute as a leader or follower in today’s activities?" 

Objective: Encourage self-awareness and reflection to promote personal development. 

Activities: 

Daily Reflection Circles: Each day is concluded with a group circle where students share personal insights, challenges faced, and growth moments. 

Goal Setting and Check-Ins: Students will set personal goals at the start of the week, with daily check-ins to reflect on their progress and learnings. 

Closing Reflection and Journaling: On the last day, students will reflect on how this experience has impacted their views on community, leadership, and service, and how they will carry these lessons forward. 

Objective: Students will engage in critical thinking skills about systemic issues and social justice, relating these to current events. 

Activities: 

Debrief on Current Events: Students will use recent news stories as case studies to connect the D.C. experience to broader social justice issues. 

Ethical Inquiry Reflections: Students will participate in  discussing the ethics of service work, power dynamics in volunteerism, and what responsible service means. 

Objective: This trip will foster a supportive, collaborative environment that fosters meaningful connections among students. 

Activities: 

Icebreakers and Team-Building Exercises: Students will attend 3 pre-trip meetings with icebreakers to foster a sense of community while learning the trip details.

Buddy System: Students will use the buddy system for accountability and relationship-building during all activities. 

Group Bonding Activities: Planned evening social activities, such as group dinners or local excursions, to deepen relationships among participants.