Participate in NextGen Roundtable: Decision 2026

Student participants must be eligible to cast their first vote in the U.S. midterm elections on November 3, 2026. Participants can be rising high school seniors or rising college freshmen at the time of the program, but they must be 18-20 years old and eligible to vote in U.S. federal elections in one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the U.S. Virgin Islands by Election Day. 

We encourage all students aged 14-20 to submit their names. This is because there is much more to Close Up’s NextGen Roundtable series than this summer’s program. The 14-17-year-olds who are not yet eligible to participate in the national deliberation in D.C. will be eligible for other opportunities, including sharing their voices in our nationwide youth survey, other deliberative events, and Close Up webinars.  

We will notify selected students on a rolling basis by April 15, 2026. 

No. The program is underwritten by a nonpartisan philanthropy, so there is no cost for students to participate. NextGen Roundtable: Decision 2026 will pay for all travel to and from Washington, hotel accommodations, and meals. 

We do require a refundable $100 deposit upon registration. The deposit will be refunded in cash upon arrival in Washington. Return of the deposit depends on the participant attending the program; no refund will be provided for cancellation or no-show. Fee waivers are available for economically disadvantaged families. 

The program has an academically and socially rigorous schedule that runs from 9:00am to 11:00pm daily. Participants will participate in both large-group and small-group activities in the hotel, including panels, workshops, and discussion groups. Participants will also have time to explore monuments and memorials with Close Up staff and socialize with their peers.   

This program is for student participants only. Participants must be able to travel by themselves. Upon acceptance, Close Up will be in communication with participants and parents to ensure that they are prepared for travel and know what to expect during the program. 

Close Up will book all transportation for student participants.  

Participants will travel independently. Close Up will book all roundtrip transportation to and from Washington, D.C., from a designated departure point, as well as provide transfers from the airport in Washington to the program hotel. Return service to the airport or train station for departure day is also provided. 

Close Up uses all three major airports in the Washington metropolitan area: Washington Dulles (IAD), Reagan National (DCA), and Baltimore Washington International (BWI). Participants will be greeted at the airport, escorted to a coach bus, and transferred to the hotel by Close Up staff. For participants who live closer to the Washington area, we may book Amtrak train travel into Washington Union Station (WAS). Participants can also choose to drive to Washington to be dropped off for the program and picked up afterwards. 

Close Up is not able to provide one-way transportation; only roundtrip travel will be provided. The Close Up transportation package also does not include checked baggage. If you check a bag, you are responsible for the fees. 

Programming will take place, and participants will stay, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia, in the Washington metropolitan area.  

Participants will be housed two to a room. Each student will have their own bed. Participants will be assigned a roommate at registration. 

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 forms before arrival and provide a copy of their insurance card. 

Students are supervised 24/7. Close Up program instructors guide students throughout the day. In the evenings, Close Up night monitors are stationed in the hallways of the hotel. Students are also given a 24/7 contact number in case of an emergency.   

All participants must be in their hotel rooms at 11:00pm for room check. Each night, participants are checked into their rooms by Close Up night monitors, who are stationed at the hotel overnight for security and to address any needs that arise. Night monitors are Close Up employees who are available from 11:00pm until 6:00am. 

While we do maintain close supervision of participants, we encourage participants to be independent and reach out to staff as they need support. You can learn more about Close Up staff on our website and here. All Close Up instructional staff are college graduates; have passed a criminal background check and fingerprinting; and have received over 120 hours of training, including CPR, AED, and First Aid. Close Up staff have experience working with a diversity of participants in and around the Washington area.  

Students may travel with additional money for souvenirs if they are interested, but it is not required. 

Above all else, students should remember to bring a pair of comfortable shoes for walking throughout the city. Casual, comfortable attire is acceptable throughout the week.

Feel free to email us at nextgen2026@closeup.org with any questions!