Close Up Program FAQs

The exciting role of trip coordinator usually begins by selecting a middle school, high school or customized program and a date that they would like to participate with their group.

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Once the group has been registered, a dedicated Close Up representative will contact the trip coordinator and send brochures and posters to help them promote the program they have selected. We will also provide the coordinator with a school ID and password, allowing them to view their account, enroll participants, and access resources and tools online to help them recruit, plan, and fundraise for their program.

All enrollment forms must be submitted online by both students and teachers/adults. Anyone participating with a school or group will be provided with an individual participant ID and password by their trip coordinator, allowing them to access their account online and complete the enrollment form.

Anyone participating without a school or group can give us a call at 800-256-7387 or email us and we will provide them with their login information.

All enrollment forms should be completed at least 120 days before the start of program. Payment schedules, cancellation policies, and all deadlines are available through each participant’s account online.

Yes. Late enrollments are subject to availability and/or may incur additional fees. Any late enrollments should have full payment as outlined in the dates and deadlines for the specified program week.

Dates and deadlines for the program are available through the school and individual accounts. In the event that space is not available, we will contact participants to provide the option to participate in another week or provide a full refund.

Yes. Each school has the support of their own Close Up representative throughout the entire planning process. Each representative is available to help schools in all phases of preparation for the program and is also able to travel to those communities if needed.

Students in grades 6-8 can participate in our middle school programs and students in grades 9-12 can participate in our high school programs. All customized programs depend on the grade levels determined by the trip coordinator. A minimum GPA or previous leadership experience is not required.

We welcome participation in our programs without regard to gender, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.

Our programs are physically and mentally demanding. Students should be able to participate for 10+ hours per day and be able to interact positively with peers, staff, and other people with whom they will have contact during the program.

For anyone participating with a school or group, the trip coordinator will give them a link and a code or a participant ID and password to log in to their account.

For anyone participating without a school, we are glad to have them with us!  Please call us at 800-256-7387 or email us and we’ll issue a participant ID and password which can be used to log in to the account in order to complete the enrollment form, make payments, and access resources for the program.

Close Up coordinates all travel, lodging, security, site visits, and activities for the trip. However, adult participants should be prepared to cover at least one meal a day. Our exciting Teacher Program runs parallel to our flagship high school student programs, so adults and their students can participate simultaneously. Educators and non-educators alike enjoy the opportunities available through our Teacher Program, including speakers, site visits, and free resources, all while experiencing the nation’s capital.

While adults are spending time on Teacher Program, Close Up will supervise their students on our student program. We’ll also supervise the students on out-of-town programmatic activities, including Williamsburg and New York City. Adults are there as our guests! If any adult prefers to observe the student program at any time throughout the trip, we are happy to accommodate them too (based on available bus space).

High school teachers will attend Capitol Hill Day with their students and supervise them during independent time.

We encourage teachers/adults to participate in our feedback sessions and to complete the high school and middle school surveys to help us better serve each participant in the future.

Our one-of-a-kind Teacher Program includes thematic visits to monuments, memorials, and museums, as well as out-of-town excursions to battlefields, universities, and historical sites near Washington. The program also draws on the expertise of our many partner institutions which provide outstanding speakers, resources, and simulation designs to give teachers their very own Close Up experience!

Participants gain valuable knowledge to bring back to their classrooms as well as connections to educational resources in DC. Teachers can also earn CEUs or graduate credit through Colorado State University.

Yes. Students can visit family, friends, and local colleges during their independent time or before or after a program. Students must receive prior approval from their trip coordinator and program leader, as well as provide a signed permission slip from their parents.

Close Up provides need-based tuition assistance based on family income guidelines and the total number of participants per school for most programs.

To find out more about Close Up’s financial aid program, please contact the school/group’s Close Up teacher or trip coordinator regarding eligibility and required forms.

No, students will not need these for the program. We suggest leaving them at home.

High School: Close Up’s high school programs are driven by student engagement and debate. Here are a few ways students can get ready:

• Stay up to date on local, national, and international news: Students can read a newspaper each morning and discuss current issues with family and friends, paying special attention to differing opinions.
• Know your congressional representatives: Students can research members’ recent voting records and learn about members’ positions on policies that affect their community.

Middle School: Close Up’s middle school programs are driven by student engagement and discussion. Here are a few ways students can get ready:

• Do I Have A Right? Bill of Rights: This game allows students to learn about the Bill of Rights and start thinking about some of the concepts they will encounter on program.
• Liberty Belle’s Responsibility Launcher: This game prepares students to think about the multiple responsibilities of citizenship.
• Liberty Belle’s Immigration Nation: This game is great for students attending the New York program. They will begin to learn about the history of immigration in our country and prepare for discussions at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
• I’m Just a Bill: Students will see the legislative process first-hand on program during their Capitol Hill walking workshop. This video helps them see each part of how a bill becomes a law.
• The Preamble: Students will visit the National Archives during their time in Washington, DC, where they will discuss our founding documents. This video provides insights into the Preamble and why the Constitution was created.
• Campaigns and Elections: In this interactive game, students come to understand the Electoral College, the role of fundraising in elections, and how voter turnout factors into election outcomes.
• Branches of Power: Students learn the history of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches and the role each plays by visiting the Capitol, Supreme Court, and White House.
• Constitution Hall Pass: Students learn about the three branches of government and about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• Interactive Constitution: Students can explore the Constitution by searching for an article, amendment, or political issue.

Yes, we schedule over 1,000 meetings per year and have regular contact with congressional schedulers. Our focus on Capitol Hill Day is to provide teachers/adults and students with an opportunity to directly interact with members of Congress and/or their staff.

We will schedule meetings with the offices of both the states’ senators and with the House member from the home congressional district of the group. Tentative schedules for Capitol Hill Day will be sent on Sunday to the school’s main trip coordinator. Final schedules will be emailed the day before Capitol Hill Day.  We kindly ask that participants do not contact the offices directly regarding these meetings; however, feel free to contact Close Up Government Relations with any questions.

In preparation for Capitol Hill Day, teachers and trip coordinators are encouraged to attend the in-depth Capitol Hill Workshop on Tuesday as part of the Teacher Program. This workshop will cover all logistics of Capitol Hill Day and is recommended especially for first-time Close Up teachers.

Prior to the program, teachers can help students prepare for Capitol Hill Day by learning more about the local congressional delegation, keeping up to date on current events, and utilizing Close Up’s sample lesson plans available on the school account page.

Yes. While a Close Up staff member will almost always be present at meetings to help facilitate, these meetings are for teachers and their students. Interacting with a member’s office is a vital part of our program and a great opportunity to ask questions and learn! Close Up will have a Capitol Hill Day orientation for all teachers to ensure they are prepared.

Yes. Security is extensive; the less each person carries, the easier it will be to get through the checkpoints. Government-issued ID may be required for adults at the security entrances and students should wear their Close Up lanyard and name tag. All House and Senate office entrances have security checkpoints. Entrance into the Capitol and Capitol Visitor Center is more restrictive.

Please see the Capitol Visitor Center site for a list of prohibited items and the most up-to-date security policies.

A day on the Hill is a window into democracy in action and the history of our nation, so there are many activities that can fill the time between scheduled meetings!

Teachers will be responsible for leading their students around on Capitol Hill Day. Before, after, or in between your meetings, there may be time to do one or some of the following activities:

No Reservations Required

• U.S. Botanical Gardens and Conservatory
• National Museum of the American Indian
• National Gallery of Art
• National Archives
• National Museum of Natural History
• National Museum of American History

Advance Reservations Required 

• U.S. Capitol (if tickets are not available through the Capitol Visitor Center, inquire through the website of your congressional offices)
• Library of Congress
• National Air and Space Museum
• National Museum of African American History and Culture
• Washington Monument
• U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

If visiting a site which requires reservations is a priority for you, please book those tickets as soon as possible. We generally recommend targeting the timeframe of 1:30-3:30pm. Once you have a confirmed reservation, please forward those details to Close Up Government Relations and we will attempt to adjust your congressional meetings.

Yes. A limited number of tours are available through your congressional office or in advance through the Capitol Visitor Center. It is recommended that a group make inquiries regarding Capitol tours 3-6 months in advance. Unfortunately, Close Up cannot schedule these tours on behalf of participants. If a tour is arranged for the group, it is essential that Close Up Government Relations be notified as soon as possible so we can schedule congressional meetings accordingly and provide any assistance the group may need. Please note, while we do our best to work schedules around preplanned Capitol tours, conflicts may arise with some member meetings due to the fluid nature of the legislative schedule.

Yes. A limited number of White House tours are available with the assistance of your congressional office. It is recommended that a group make inquiries regarding White House tours at least 3-4 months in advance. Unfortunately, Close Up cannot schedule these tours on behalf of participants. If possible, please schedule White House visits during times that do not conflict with the program schedule.

Availability, location, variety, and/or price may determine the best lunch spot for you. There are several options to choose from:

• Cafes and cafeterias in the House and Senate office buildings (check websites for availability)
• Cafes and cafeterias at the museums on the National Mall (check websites for availability)
• Union Station (the most options at the most affordable prices)
• Food trucks that line the cross streets of the National Mall
• Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (food court with limited options)
• Eastern Market or Penn Quarter (fast-casual options within walking distance)

Hotel accommodation, three meals per day during program, all in-town transportation, instruction, academic materials, meeting space, 24-hour supervision, night monitors, access to Georgetown University Children’s Medical Center, all entry fees, all tips/gratuities, group photo, certificate, souvenir, and secondary medical and liability insurance are included in the overall student tuition. Should a school choose Close Up’s transportation package, roundtrip airfare and transportation to and from the airport in the Washington, DC, area is also included.

Students should check with their teacher regarding payment instructions and school policies for payments. All payments can be made to the school or through the individual accounts online. Participants have the flexibility to set up payment plans through their account online. Payments made by electronic check are preferred, but we also accept credit/debit cards. Go to the Individual Account Login, enter the participant ID and password (provided by the teacher/trip coordinator), and follow the instructions. If payment is sent by personal check or money order, it must be made payable to Close Up Foundation and mailed with a payment coupon printed from the corresponding account to:

Regular, Overnight, or Express Mail:
Close Up Foundation
671 N. Glebe Road, Suite 900
Arlington, VA 22203

Important: All payments must have the participant ID written on the check and include a payment coupon from the participant’s account online.

School Districts: All checks must identify both the school’s registration ID (found on the payment coupon) and the participant ID numbers to which the payment(s) should be applied.

Yes. Interested donors should visit our donation page and include the Close Up school ID of the group receiving support. Donations can be made online using a credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Donations are non-refundable.

Close Up is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committee dedicated to helping young people become engaged citizens. Our tax ID number is 23-7122882. Please consult a tax advisor to determine whether your contribution may be tax-deductible. For questions, please contact us at support@closeup.org.

Teachers can print payment coupons by going to Teacher: School Account, selecting “Manage Account,” and clicking on “Print Payment Coupons.” Individuals can print their own payment coupons by logging in to Individual Account Login, selecting “Make a Payment,” and clicking on “Mail.”

Yes. Purchase orders from school districts must be signed and include the school’s name and school ID number. They can be mailed to Close Up’s Finance Department at: Close Up Foundation, 671 N. Glebe Road, Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22203. Please do not send checks to this address, as it may delay processing. Purchase orders can also be faxed to 703-997-6573.

Online payments made by credit or debit card before 10pm EST will be posted to the participant’s online account after 10am EST the next day. Electronic check payments take seven business days to process and post to the participant’s account. Payments by mail generally take about two weeks to process from the date they are mailed.

The dates and deadlines for each program can be reviewed through individual and school accounts online.

Per Close Up’s terms and conditions, the initial deposit payment(s) to an account is nonrefundable and nontransferable at the time of payment. Should a refund be requested prior to the 100 percent cancellation deadline, Close Up will refund any amounts paid over the initial deposit unless it is noted otherwise on that individual or school account’s “Dates and Deadlines” page. All dates and deadlines for the program and amounts due, including the 100 percent cancellation deadline, are available through the participant’s Close Up account online. Close Up strongly recommends that each person purchase travel insurance through Travel Guard International, America’s #1 travel insurer, or a travel insurance company of their choice. This will protect against delays, flight cancellations, and other travel-related issues, including a medical emergency that may prevent passengers from traveling. To assure the full promotion benefit of the policy, travel insurance should be purchased 15 days after the first payment is made.

Yes. We offer roundtrip group transportation from a designated departure point in each region to Washington, DC. We use all three DC metro airports: Washington Dulles (IAD), Reagan National (DCA), and Baltimore Washington International (BWI).

To take advantage of this, trip coordinators should choose the Close Up Group Transportation option when they enroll their school or group online. Whether the group will be traveling with us or on their own, we strongly urge participants to buy travel insurance.  Close Up’s preferred provider is Travel Guard.  Participants will be able to purchase travel insurance upon completion of their enrollment forms online.  After completing travel information, select “CLOSE-UP FOUNDATION” under “Tour Operator.” If you do not know your airline at the time of purchase, choose “NONE.”

The Close Up travel package is designed to provide our customers peace of mind.

Close Up’s group transportation package includes:

• Roundtrip airfare using major U.S. airlines, ground transportation through Amtrak, or privately chartered motor coach buses to get everyone to and from the Close Up program.
• Roundtrip airport/train station transfers on private motor coach buses.
• Close Up staffing at the airport or train station to meet participants upon arrival and facilitate the transfer to their assigned hotels. Return service on departure is also provided.
• Close Up travel support. Our toll-free number is staffed by our transportation team during travel, and we monitor all arriving and departing flights throughout the day. If any problems arise (delays or weather), please call 800-336-3689 and we will work together in finding a solution.

Yes. The student must complete and submit an Independent Transportation Form and scan the form to transportation@closeup.org. This form must be received by Close Up at least 120 days prior to the program start date. A late fee of $50 per participant is charged for late forms. No forms will be accepted later than 60 days before travel.

By choosing this option, however, the student must make his or her own airport transfer arrangements to and from the hotel. Groups choosing to make their own travel arrangements should indicate this option through the school account by selecting Independent Transportation on the “Confirm Price” page.

All independent travel itineraries should be emailed to transportation@closeup.org at least 30 days prior to the start of the program so we can accurately plan for participants’ arrival.

Those who select our group transportation package will be greeted at the airport, escorted to a coach bus, and transferred to the hotel by Close Up staff. Those who choose to book their own travel will need to make arrangements to get to and from the hotel via taxi, airport shuttle, Metro, or other means.

Yes. The trip coordinator may select the Early Arrival or Late Departure options when enrolling their school or group online. These options can be selected through the “Confirm Price” page in the school account.

Adult passengers (18 and over) at the time of travel are required to show a U.S. federal or state-issued photo ID in order to be allowed to go through the checkpoint and onto their flight. Please refer to www.tsa.gov for a list of acceptable identification.

All participants, including adults, must complete an enrollment form online. Date of birth is required for Close Up’s Transportation Department to secure tickets.

We encourage trip coordinators to monitor their school account online to ensure all participants have completed their enrollment forms.

Yes. It is possible for a passenger to board a domestic flight as long they are willing to provide additional information about themselves that will assist TSA in using multiple public databases to confirm a passenger’s identity. This process takes extra time, and a passenger may or may not be subject to additional security screening, so please be sure to allow plenty of time.

No. Close Up, like most tour operators, is required to include TSA-mandated Secure Flight information which includes: date of birth, gender, and the passenger’s full name when an airline ticket is purchased.

Please go to the Transportation Security Administration’s website for the latest updates and frequently asked questions before traveling. TSA recommends that passengers arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flight.

No. Baggage fees aren’t included in the package price. All travel-related fees are the sole responsibility of each passenger traveling and checking luggage. Please check the airline’s website for the most current and up-to-date information regarding fees.

For a complete list of travel requirements and suggestions, print and read the Travel Checklist before travel. Resources regarding what to wear and pack, a sample schedule, and more are also available through the participant’s account online.

Yes. Close Up strongly recommends that each person purchase travel insurance through Travel Guard, America’s #1 travel insurer. This will protect against delays, flight cancellations, and other travel-related issues, including a medical emergency that may prevent passengers from traveling. To assure the full promotion benefit of the policy, travel insurance should be purchased 15 days after the first payment is made.

A participant may elect to purchase Travel Guard coverage up to 48 hours before the trip begins, but coverage is limited. After completing traveling information, select “CLOSE-UP FOUNDATION” under “Tour Operator.”  If you do not know your airline at the time of purchase, choose “NONE.” Participants can elect to purchase travel insurance upon completion of their enrollment forms online.

Customized flight itineraries will be available online through the individual or school account 45 days prior to the start of the program. Close Up staff will make transportation arrangements to ensure each group arrives and departs DC in time for all program-related activities. Information about any travel preferences can be entered through the school account online at the time of enrollment or by notifying the group’s Close Up representative. Unfortunately, we are unable to guarantee any preferences due to the schedule and space restrictions of the airlines.

Frequent flyer miles can be accrued on most airline carriers. Those who wish to use a frequent flyer account should call their member airline to request frequent flyer credit. Unfortunately, Close Up cannot add frequent flyer account information to our flight records.

No. Our airline contracts do not allow our group tickets to be purchased or upgraded using mileage. If a passenger prefers to use mileage for an airline ticket, they can elect to travel independently from the group. Please see our independent travel conditions under our transportation FAQs.

Not necessarily. Close Up may be able to arrange alternate travel arrangements for one or more participants if they are unable to travel with their school. The cost to arrange a flight deviation from the group is $75 plus any additional airline fees associated with the request. Participants who require a flight deviation for an unaccompanied minor would incur a $275 fee for each direction. This includes fees imposed by the airline, Close Up transportation staff costs, and ground transfers in DC. The age requirements and information required to travel as an unaccompanied minor vary by airline and additional information may be required by Close Up transportation staff. Please contact the school’s Close Up representative for additional information.

We use national hotel chains such as Marriott, Sheraton, and Holiday Inn. Participants stay in convenient, quality hotels located in the DC metro area. Each hotel is carefully inspected to be of the highest quality possible at an affordable price. Our ability to secure hotels close to the city and/or DC Metro system allows for more time learning and less time commuting.

Hotel information is available through individual and school accounts online 45 days before the program starts. Unfortunately, we are unable to guarantee any preferences due to the schedule and/or space restrictions of the hotels.

Middle School:  For our middle school program, students are housed four to a room with students from their own school. If a school does not have multiples of four, students may have to room with students from a different school. We will do our best to ensure there are at least two students from the same school housed together. Teachers should assign roommates through the school account online under the tab “Assign Student Roommates,” 45 days prior to the start of program.

High School:  Students are housed four to a room. Each room has two double beds. On our high school program, each student chooses one roommate from his/her school. Another pair of students from a different community will be assigned to the room at random upon check-in. In the event a school brings an odd number of participants, the participant without a roommate from his/her own school will be placed in a room with up to two other students that may be from a different school or community. The participant without a roommate will not be required to share a bed with another student and will be placed in a workshop with at least two classmates from the same school.

Close Up’s proven methodology indicates that mixing students in their roommate assignments and during program activities helps to enhance “an understanding of pluralism in the United States and helps to develop civic skills and attitudes.” The diversity of the program also allows the students to learn formally and informally from other students across the country.

For all customized programs, a Close Up representative will contact participants regarding preferences and any roommate blocking.

Adults are housed two to a room. Adult rooms may be located on the same floor as student rooms. Each room has two double beds. Adults may indicate roommate choices on their enrollment forms. Adults may also request a private room for an additional charge. All private room requests are subject to availability, and full payment must be provided at the time of a request. Private rooms not paid in full prior to participation will not be booked or subject to additional fees upon check-in.

Although hotel check-in times typically range from 3pm to 4pm, Close Up rooms are ready by 6pm. This helps to ensure that our student rooms are blocked close to each other, improving the safety of participants at night and creating a more enjoyable environment for all hotel guests. We work closely with our hotels to ensure rooms are ready by the start of the program but occasionally, due to circumstances outside of our control, room keys may be delivered after the listed check-in time.

Each student must bring to Washington:

1. A completed Medical Questionnaire and Consent for Treatment Form.
2. The participant’s health insurance card or a copy of the front and back.

Close Up partners with several leading health care providers, including Georgetown University Children’s Medical Center (GUCMC), to ensure that students have access to quality health care should they get sick while on program. There are 911 emergency services available around the clock, from when our program starts until it ends. Fortunately, our program activities and hotels are close to a number of excellent hospitals. Thus, help is usually not far away.

For a non-911 situation, typically we will be in contact with a triage nurse at GUCMC to determine what course of action to take. In some cases, we will transport the student to GUCMC for diagnosis and treatment. Their hours are Monday through Thursday 8am to 7pm, Friday 9am to 6pm, and Saturday 9am to noon. If treatment is required outside these hours, GUCMC maintains a pediatric doctor on-call who will assist and make appropriate referrals. In other cases, a student might simply drink fluids and rest in his/her hotel room under the periodic supervision of Close Up staff.  For COVID-19 situations, our health care protocols have been determined in conjunction with GUCMC and the CDC and are outlined in detail within the participants’ enrollment documents. These protocols are monitored and updated frequently.

As an added precaution, Close Up program staff are trained in CPR, AED, and First Aid. We also maintain a dedicated staffer on each program to assist students who are ill. Typically, this assistance includes accompanying them when they’re taken for medical treatment, waiting with them at the facility while they’re being treated, and accompanying them back to the hotel. Close Up, along with the trip coordinator, will work together to ensure that students get timely access to quality health care should the need arise while on a program. We have dedicated staff members to stay with any students who are not able to participate.

Yes. Our program staff are trained in CPR, AED, and First Aid.

The amount of the copay depends on the participant’s primary insurance carrier. If the student doesn’t have money for the copay at time of service, Georgetown will bill the responsible party. In addition, Close Up offers additional insurance coverage through Travel Guard. Close Up also carries a limited accidental injury policy that may assist with some out-of-pocket expenses in case of accident or injury on program.

We recommend that all participants purchase travel insurance that includes medical coverage. To purchase travel insurance or to receive additional information, please contact Travel Guard or call 800-826-1300. Questions about or requests for students with special medical needs can be discussed with Sharon Hunter at 800-256-7387, ext. 3499. Although we defray some of the costs, students who require specialized assistance, such as health techs or sign language interpretation, may incur additional charges.

Anyone with questions about or requests for students with special medical needs should contact Sharon Hunter at 800-256-7387, ext. 3499. Please note that Close Up program staff are not responsible for assisting with wheelchairs or medical equipment or available to administer medication.

Although we work to mitigate any costs associated with medical needs, students who require specialized assistance, such as health technicians or sign language interpretation, may incur additional charges.

Close Up provides students with three hearty meals a day starting with dinner the first night of program. We have adopted a nut-free policy for our hotel meals and sit-down dinners. Voucher meals all include nut-free options. We also provide vegetarian options at each meal. If a participant requires any accommodations at meals due to medical or religious reasons, please contact Close Up Program Services. Additional fees may be incurred for any special arrangements.

Yes. Participants need to bring an adequate supply of medication and will be responsible for self-medicating while on a program. Please notify us in advance if any medication needs to be refrigerated. Additional charges up to $60 may be incurred for hotel refrigerator use or rental.

Yes. Participants should bring an adequate supply of medication. We are not able to provide medications.