Prince George’s County Public Schools Programs

In partnership with PGCPS, Close Up hosts Congressional Simulation Days for students in the district at the University of Maryland. These events give students the opportunity to engage with peers across the county on pressing current issues. Students take on the role of members of the House of Representatives to deliberate real-world legislation, review and amend bills, offer arguments in favor of and opposition, and vote “yea” or “nay” on each becoming law. By participating in a Congressional Simulation Day, students receive three service-learning hours.

Civic Leaders is open to all middle and high school students, but priority application status is given to rising eighth graders (current seventh graders) and rising tenth graders (current ninth graders).

Civic Leaders follows the Eighth-Grade MCAP Standards and 10th-Grade MCAP Standards.

PGCPS students work alongside Close Up program instructors.

Close Up has a partnership with Georgetown Pediatrics, which will help to provide medical support when necessary. Students and parents must fill out the required Medical Questionnaire Form and Consent for Treatment Form before arrival and provide a copy of their insurance card.

Students will be transported via coach bus. There will be designated pick-up locations at PGCPS. Students can take the coach bus to the University of Maryland in the morning and back in the afternoon.

Yes, students who are accepted are required to participate in each program day.

No Chromebooks or laptops are necessary for Congressional Simulation Days or Civic Leaders. We recommend keeping larger electronic devices at home. All materials will be provided to your student.

Yes. Lunch is provided during the Congressional Simulation Day and a daily lunch is provided during Civic Leaders.