COMPETE FOR THE CIVICS MATTERS WASHINGTON, D.C. TRIP
The Civics Matters Leadership Challenge is the competitive pathway to the Civics Matters Washington, D.C. Trip.
Current 9th–11th grade students earn their place on the trip by completing required learning modules and submitting a Leadership Challenge project that demonstrates civic understanding, critical thinking, and leadership.
Schools and individual students participate through defined pathways, with projects evaluated using a standardized rubric to select delegates from across Arizona.
WHAT IS THE CIVICS MATTERS TRIP?
The Civics Matters Washington, D.C. Trip brings civic learning to life. In partnership with the Arizona Cardinals, Governor Katie Hobbs, and Close Up Foundation, selected high school students from across Arizona travel on an all expenses paid, four day civic leadership experience in Washington, D.C., taking place June 3–6, 2026.
This is a student-only delegation. School staff do not travel with the group. Students are selected through a statewide Leadership Challenge and represent their schools as official Civics Matters delegates. All selected students travel together as one Arizona delegation and are supervised the entire time by professional chaperones provided by Close Up Foundation, a nationally recognized organization with decades of experience leading student programs in Washington, D.C.
Delegates meet peers from across Arizona, explore historic landmarks, engage directly with civic institutions, and participate in hands on workshops that deepen their understanding of government, leadership, and civic responsibility. The experience is designed to move learning beyond the classroom and help students see themselves as active participants in democracy.
Students travel on the Arizona Cardinals team plane for a once in a lifetime opportunity that reflects the significance of their achievement.
The trip takes place outside of the regular school year, and there is no cost to students, families, or schools.
The Civics Matters Washington, D.C. Trip is more than a visit to the nation’s capital. It is an immersive civic leadership experience designed to inspire confidence, curiosity, connection, and a lasting sense of civic identity.
PROGRAM STEPS
School Registration
Schools or individual students register through the Civics Matters website. Capacity is limited.Learning Hub Completion
Students complete all required Civics Matters Learning Hub modules, building foundational civic knowledge and skillsLeadership Challenge Project
Current 9th–11th grade students are eligible to submit a project responding to one of the official prompts below. Individual students not part of a participating, selected school must have Leadership Challenge projects submitted by March 27, 2026 for consideration.
Prompt Option 1
Even without the right to vote, how can young people meaningfully participate in civic life?
Use Examples from your community and what you learned in the Civics Matters Learning Modules.
Prompt Option 2
What lessons from the nation’s founding can young people apply to modern civic challenges?
Project Authenticity Requirement
All Leadership Challenge projects must be fully human generated. The use of AI tools to write, generate, or substantially create student submissions is not permitted.
Projects may take many forms, including essays, videos, presentations, podcasts, or other creative formats. Regardless of format, submissions must reflect the student’s own original thinking and work.
Civics Matters conducts an internal audit of selected delegates, including AI screening of submitted projects. If a project is determined to be AI generated, the student will be removed from consideration.
Evaluation & Selection
Projects are evaluated using the official rubric. Schools select delegates through the School Path, while Civics Matters reviewers select delegates through the Individual Path.
Orientation & Preparation
Selected delegates attend a required orientation to prepare for travel, meet fellow delegates, and learn more about the Washington, D.C. experience.
Washington, D.C. Experience
Delegates travel on the Arizona Cardinals team plane for a four-day civic leadership experience with Close Up, including site visits, workshops, and peer collaboration. The 2026 trip will take place June 3-6.
Continued Engagement
After returning home, delegates can join the Civics Matters Alumni Network, staying connected through leadership opportunities, community projects, and future events.
TRIP HISTORY
2025 TRIP RECAP
Alex Velasquez Hernandez never expected to fly to Washington D.C. to get a chance to learn more about his country’s history and government.
But his favorite history teacher at Trevor Browne High School in Phoenix encouraged him to submit an essay about why civics and government matter, to potentially get such an opportunity. And there he was Wednesday morning, one of the 275 high school students whose essays earned them a spot on the Cardinals’ team plane for the annual Civics Matters field trip.
“I never really expected to be here,” Hernandez said. “I’ve never really applied myself to school, but I notice that by doing that I can go many places. This is one of them.”
2024 TRIP RECAP
Sariah Goodsell walked around the 24th Street Station platform at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport with a notebook and pen asking everybody in sight for autographs.
It was her way of documenting the start of the third annual Civics Matters Arizona program, and it was evident how much the trip would mean to the junior from Copper Canyon High School.
“This is my first time being on a plane, first time going to Washington,” Goodsell said. “I love history. This is the biggest event that’s happened to me ever.”
In partnership with the Close Up Foundation and Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, Civics Matters Arizona is a program launched by the Cardinals in 2022. Flying in style on the Cardinals team plane, 275 high school students from across the state travel to the nation’s capital on an all-expenses-paid trip. Read the full story.
