Girls in Politics Initiative DC Summer Residential Program

The Girls in Politics Initiative DC Summer Residential program takes place in the heart of the nation’s capital with participants surrounded by national monuments and staying just blocks from the United States Capitol. Participants explore the District of Columbia and during classroom sessions learn about the United States political system. Participants choose to run their own mock campaign for United States House of Representatives, United States Senate or for United States President. During the program participants meet with legislators, congressional staff and women working as professionals in the political sector. A non-residential option available for local students not requiring hotel accommodations or students securing their own accommodations.

Itinerary Day 1 | The United States Government; Past, Present and the Future

Sunday (July 7, 2024)

Arrival in Washington, DC

Lunch

National Archives

Smithsonian Museum of American History

Dinner

Classroom: Introduction to American Government

Day 2 | The National Mall

Monday ( July 8, 2024)

Breakfast

Lincoln Memorial

Washington Monument

Martin Luther King Jr Memorial

Lunch

Classroom: Running for Office

Dinner

Social Hour and Twilight Bus Tour

Day 3 | A Day on Capitol Hill

Tuesday (July 9, 2024)

Breakfast

Capitol Tour

Meet with Legislators

Lunch

Library of Congress

Supreme Court

Dinner

Classroom: Guest Speakers

Day 4 | Exploring the Administration

Wednesday (July 10, 2024)

Breakfast

United States Pentagon Tour*

Lunch

United States Treasury Bureau of Engraving and Printing Tour

Classroom: Elections and Serving Congress

Closing Reception

Day 5 | Exploring the Administration Continued

Thursday (July 11, 2024)

Breakfast

The FBI Experience*

Lunch

Departure from Washington, DC

*Tours subject to approval of reservation request. Alternative activity will be scheduled in event requests are not able to be fulfilled. 

Age and Program Capacity

This summer program is intended for girls between the ages of 12 and 17. The program capacity is 20 strictly limited to students.

Tuition and Registration 

**Non-residential option available for local students not requiring hotel accommodations or student securing their own accommodations. Select Payment option. 

Tuition includes hotel accommodations, meals, ground transportation, camp insurance, all program materials and four Girls in Politics Initiative shirts. Payment Option 1: Non-refundable deposit of $1000 with balance of $899 due on or before June 1. Payment option 2: Payment in full of tuition at time of registration for residential students is $1899. Payment option 3: Payment in full of tuition at registration for non-residential students is $1299. 

Arrival and Departure

Parents and guardians are responsible for the cost and arranging of transportation to/from Washington Reagan International Airport for participants arriving by air. A staff member will be at the airport to receive participants at their arrival gate and again to escort participants to their departure gate. Participants should depart Washington, DC between 2pm and 6pmET on Thursday, July 11, 2024. Participants arriving by car will meet a staff member at the host hotel. Parents may arrange a pickup/drop-off by GIP staff at Union Station for those participants arriving and departing by train. All participants should arrive in Washington, DC prior to 12pmET on July 7, 2024. 

Accommodations and Meals

Participants will stay at a Marriott or Hilton property in the National Mall area. Participants will be served breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Snacks will be available during the day. Meals can accommodate participants with vegetarian diets, nut allergies and dairy allergies. Staff will stay on-site at the hotel with campers. Participants will always be under the supervision of staff.

Attire and Packing List

Participants should wear comfortable attire that includes athletic shoes. Each participant will receive four Girls in Politics Initiative shirts to wear during the program. A packing list is below. 

Clothing/shoes

2x sneakers/athletic shoes, 1x flip flops/pool shoes, 1x casual shoes (optional), 5x shorts or leggings, 2x lightweight pants or lightweight jeans,  7x undergarments and socks, 2x swimsuits - optional (Students will have the option to swim during free time), 2x pajamas, 1x hoodie or light jacket, 1x light waterproof jacket or parka

Miscellaneous

Sunglasses, eyeglasses – if needed, contact lenses – if needed, mobile phone, 2x mobile phone chargers, mobile phone earbuds, camera – optional if student has a mobile phone for photos, 1x compact umbrella, 1x light knapsack (please no large back packs), Pencils/pens - optional (All program materials will be provided but students can bring favorite/preferred writing instruments), Notepads – optional (All program materials will be provided but students can bring favorite/preferred writing instruments), money or debit cards for souvenirs

Toiletries

Shampoo – travel size, condition – travel size, shower gel – travel size or bar soap with soap case, face wash, deodorant, sunscreen, toothbrush/toothpaste – travel size, insect repellent, feminine hygiene products, medications – if needed

Cancellation Policy

Within 24 hours following receipt of your registration confirmation, you may cancel your program registration and receive a full refund. After 24 hours the tuition or deposit becomes non-refundable. If a participant is unable to attend for any reason, a voucher for the tuition paid up to the date cancellation will be issued. The voucher may be used for any future program and will not expire.

Arbitration

Any dispute concerning these Terms & Conditions and/or any other matter concerning the trip, including, but not limited to, any events and circumstances occurring during the trip, shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration in Washington, DC, according to the then existing commercial rules of the American Arbitration Association. Such proceedings will be governed by substantive (but not procedural) District of Columbia law. The arbitrator and not any federal, state, or local court or agency shall have exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, conscionability, or formation of this Agreement, including but not limited to any claim that all or any part of this Agreement is void or voidable. By accepting these Terms and Conditions at the time of registration, you are irrevocably, unconditionally, and expressly submitting to binding arbitration, in lieu of having any such dispute decided in a court of law before a jury.

Questions and Information Sessions

Parents and guardians can email the Girls in Politics Initiative at info@girlsinpolitics.com for additional information or request a virtual information session to speak directly with the registrar.

Additional Washington, DC events

Oct 13 | Camp United Nations for Girls DC 2024 https://buytickets.at/girlsinpoliticsinitiative/1136666

Oct 13 | Girls in Business Camp DC 2024 https://buytickets.at/girlsinpoliticsinitiative/1137321

Oct 14 | Camp Congress for Girls and US Capitol Tour https://buytickets.at/girlsinpoliticsinitiative/1154581

Dec 30 | Camp Congress for Girls and US Capitol Tour https://buytickets.at/girlsinpoliticsinitiative/1138271