The Close Up Foundation is a leader in civic education, classroom discourse, and exciting hands-on travel opportunities for students. Each year, Pekin Community High School selects a small group of Juniors and Seniors to represent their community in Washington DC as a part of the Close Up program, and the Dirksen Congressional Center offers financial assistance to each student selected in their effort to raise over $2,000 per person for their trip.
While in DC, these students connect with peers from all around the country while they learn first-hand about the inner workings of the US Government, visit important monuments and landmarks, and explore the rich history of our nation’s capital.
The concept is simple: Give students the opportunity to directly engage with the people and institutions that represent our democracy, and they will develop the skills and attitudes they need for a lifetime of active citizenship.