Explore our experiential civics programs!
Since 1971, more than one million students and educators have participated in Close Up programs. Our mission is to inspire young people to find their unique voice and help them develop the skills and awareness they need to be engaged citizens for life.
Join us to make lasting memories as you interact with the people, places, and institutions that shape our nation, and discover how your voice can make an impact on American democracy.
Hear what students have to say about NextGen Roundtable: Decision 2026!
This summer, Close Up and our partners convened nearly 400 first-time voters to deliberate pressing national issues and gain exposure to perspectives other than their own. Now, students are sharing how the deliberative experience shaped them—with a nationwide impact report to follow this fall!
Join us for a NextGen Roundtable deliberation!
Are you looking to build students’ skills of civil discourse and productive citizenship? Close Up is engaging youth nationwide through our national, regional, and local NextGen Roundtable deliberations for students and professional development workshops for educators!
Close Up brought me CLOSER to politics…
the entire notion no longer seemed obscure. I became very involved in politics on the local and national level.
Close Up is a positive experience for students…
seeing themselves as having the power to influence the democratic process.
I learned that there’s a huge network of people with the same goals and drive as me…
and that our collaboration really could make a difference. It gave me hope for the future of our communities and our nation!
Close Up made me realize how SIGNIFICANT my thoughts and views are…
Although everyone will not always agree, everyone has a voice and needs to be heard.
671 N. Glebe Road, Suite 900
Arlington, VA 22203
703-706-3300 or 800-CLOSE UP
CST-1002082-40:
Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.
