NAIS Student Civic Leadership Summit

High-school-age students with an interest in civic action and community engagement, who are traveling with an educator from their school attending 2025 NNSP Annual Conference.

 The minimum number of students is four. We ask that schools bring a cohort of 4-8 students.

NAIS member cost is $1,300 per student. Non-member cost is $1,450 per student.

Tuition covers all experiential learning activities, lodging, off-campus social events, and all student meals. Transportation to and from Washington, DC, is not included.

An initial deposit is due to NAIS by June 15. Register Here (NAIS Web page link here)  Final payment is be due to Close Up by October 15.

All payments are nonrefundable 60 days (December 7) prior to the start of the program. Cancellations received prior to December 7 will be refunded everything over a $500 nonrefundable registration fee.

The early arrival package includes student hotel accommodations on Tuesday, February 4, as well as breakfast and a Close Up led National Museum of African American History visit on Wednesday, February 5 prior to the official start of the summit.

Students will stay at a DC metropolitan area hotel, the same location where the 2025 NNSP Annual Conference is being held. There will be two students per room and each student will have their own bed. Students will room with other students from their school. School coordinators will assign roommates.

No. Close Up provides night monitors on each hall who will check the students into their rooms each night and are available should they need anything overnight.

While educators participate in the 2025 NNSP Annual Conference, students will join their peers from across the country to consider how to create change and make a difference in their community.

The summit will culminate with each school team sharing their vision statement and strategies with teachers, administrators, and community engagement experts at the 2025 Annual NNSP Conference.

Yes. You can observe the students in action at any point during the program and we will have dedicated school advisor check-ins each day.

Program days typically run from 9am to 10pm. Students will engage in a variety of experiential, academic, and social activities in both large-group and small-group settings, facilitated by Close Up program instructors. While students will have the opportunity to explore the nation’s capital, most programming will take place at the hotel.

Upon arrival in DC, every student will be assigned to a homeroom group that includes one Close Up program instructor and a small core group of students. Students will take part in daily discussions, debriefs, and feedback sessions.

Upon arrival students will be assigned to a homeroom group with a core program instructor and 20-25 students from other schools. This will allow students to hear from, learn from, and meet peers with different perspectives from across the country. Homeroom groups will participate in discussions, debriefs, and workshops together each day.

Students will be together by school for Action Planning sessions throughout the week and to prepare for presenting at the 2025 NNSP Annual Conference.

The summit begins at 12:00pm on Wednesday, February 5. Please plan to arrive in time to register prior to the start. The summit officially ends Friday, February 7, at 1:30pm.  All groups must check out with Close Up staff prior to departing.

If you purchased the early arrival package, arriving on Tuesday, February 4, Close Up staff will reach out to share registration details.

No. Students must travel together as a school cohort with a teacher or administrator attending the 2025 NNSP Annual Conference.

Please contact us at programsupport@closeup.org for any questions.