Washington, DC: Beyond Capitol Hill

Arrive in Washington D.C. and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the area. In the afternoon, visit the National Mall and visit the monuments for Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and Dr. King, and discuss the life and legacies of these famous figures. Pass by the memorials to the Vietnam and Korean Wars, and head to dinner with your group, a reflective discussion with your Program Leaders, and good night’s sleep after your Travel Day.

Flight Details: TBD

Overnight: Hotel or Hostel, Washington DC

Experience important contemporary museums like the African American History Museum, to learn about the historical and current context of American culture and politics. See the White House, Capitol Building, and Supreme Court as you move through the city, learning about the history and culture of the city. In the evening, catch a Nationals game (if it’s a game day!) or head to dinner and catch a local show. The city lights up at night, and it’s a beautiful time to see this bustling place so quiet at night.

Overnight: Hotel or Hostel, Washington DC

Visit the Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for solemn reflection time on what it means to build a nation. Try local food for lunch at a favorite restaurant. Visit the Smithsonian Museums of Natural and American History and the Holocaust Museum. Spend your last night having dinner with your group and reflecting on what you’ve learned. 

At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home. 

Overnight: Hotel or Hostel, Washington DC

Pack your bags before heading back home. Depending on the time of your departing flight, we could visit the Iwo Jima monument and the Air and Space Museum for a final glimpse of what DC has to offer. Your Program Leaders will say goodbye as you reflect on your adventure with your group.