What YDI's America 250 Summer Civics Camp Taught Me
- Tralonne Shorter
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 9 hours ago
Today is Election Day in Virginia.
As communities across the Commonwealth head to the polls, I’m reminded why Youth Democracy Institute exists. This summer, through YDI’s inaugural America 250 Summer Civics Camp, we didn’t simply teach civics—we brought it to life.
For six unforgettable weeks, students explored democracy by stepping inside the places where history was made, laws are shaped, stories are told, communities are served, and leaders make decisions. They discovered that civic leadership isn’t confined to a classroom or a textbook—it’s experienced through curiosity, service, and engagement.
By the Numbers
6 weeks of experiential civic leadership programming
25 campers from across the DMV
22 scholarships awarded to expand access to high-quality civic learning
36 field trip experiences to 31 distinct civic, cultural, media, service, and historic destinations
Over $2,500 raised to support the next generation of civic leaders
Dozens of community partners, guest speakers, volunteers, and supporters who helped make this inaugural summer possible
These numbers tell an important story—but they only capture part of our impact.
6 Lessons I’ll Carry Forward
Learning should be experienced—not just taught.
Our students didn’t simply read about democracy; they experienced it firsthand. They interviewed journalists at NBC4 Washington and NPR, completed a Senate scavenger hunt, examined primary sources at the Library of Congress, explored language at Planet Word, and reflected on history at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. These experiences showed them that some of life’s most meaningful lessons happen beyond the classroom.
Leadership begins with curiosity.
The questions our students asked were often as meaningful as the answers they received. Their curiosity opened doors to new ideas, cultures, perspectives, and possibilities—reminding us that effective leaders remain lifelong learners.
Confidence grows through challenge.
Some campers were afraid of elevators and heights, uneasy about visiting a cemetery, or resistant to long walks. But they persisted. What began as discomfort often became curiosity and fun through scavenger hunts, library research, and new discoveries. By the end, students who had once hesitated were asking to go back. Their confidence grew each time they faced a challenge and discovered they could do more than they imagined.
Community is built through service.
Through community service at Arlington Food Assistance Center, campers helped prepare fresh produce for local families. They also learned that service includes caring for one another—offering encouragement, celebrating successes, and stepping forward when someone needed support. Leadership became less about standing in front and more about lifting others.
Every young person deserves access to civic leadership opportunities.
Awarding 22 scholarships reinforced our belief that talent and leadership potential exist in every community. By reducing financial barriers, we opened doors for young people to discover experiences, opportunities, and possibilities they may not otherwise have encountered.
Growth is the true measure of impact.
The summer’s greatest success wasn’t the number of places we visited, but the growth we witnessed. Campers who began the program hesitant became confident enough to introduce themselves to professionals, ask thoughtful questions, explain YDI’s mission, and encourage their peers. They learned to navigate Metro, explore unfamiliar neighborhoods, and experience Washington, D.C., not simply as visitors, but as future civic leaders. For many, looking out from the Washington Monument offered a new perspective—not only of the city below, but of the history and democracy surrounding them.
Our goal was never simply to teach students how government works. It was to help them understand that they belong in these spaces—that their voices matter, their ideas matter, and their service can strengthen their communities.
The People Who Made It Possible
A special thank-you to Arlington County Board Members JD Spain and Susan Cunningham, along with Astrid Garcia, Tracy McKever, Gerry Brooks, Felicia Macauley, Danielle Griffin, Angel Baltimore, and Benjamin Sessions for sharing their leadership and expertise directly with our campers. We are especially grateful to George Mason University’s Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning (CECiL) and Civic Fellows Michael Wu and Valeria Castro-Rivera, who served as program curators, mentors, and role models throughout the summer.
We also thank the offices of U.S. Representative Don Beyer and U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Cory Booker; NPR; AWS Skills Center Arlington; the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center; the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives; Arlington Public Library’s Central Library staff; Arlington Food Assistance Center; Clothesline for Arlington Kids; and the National Park Service rangers and Smithsonian museum docents who helped bring civic leadership, history, and service to life.
To every student, parent, YDI Board member, partner, volunteer, donor, and supporter—thank you for believing in this vision and helping make YDI’s inaugural America 250 Summer Civics Camp a tremendous success.
What Comes Next
While our summer camp has come to a close, our work is just beginning.
As Youth Democracy Institute enters its second year, we remain committed to creating experiential civic leadership opportunities that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and prepare the next generation of informed, engaged leaders. This fall, we’ll continue that journey through our School Break Civics Camp Series, beginning with a one-day Civics Camp to Richmond, Virginia on September 21, where students will explore the Virginia State Capitol and the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. We’ll also bring young people from across the region together for our inaugural Youth Democracy Summit on November 3, (Election Day), creating another opportunity for youth to lead, learn, and shape the future of their communities.
The future of democracy depends on the next generation. After spending six weeks alongside these remarkable young people, I couldn’t be more hopeful.
Thank you for being part of the YDI family. We’re just getting started.
🎥 Relive YDI's inaugural America 250 Summer Civics Camp—watch the full six-week experience or explore it week by week.
Full 6-Week: Highlight Reel
Week 1: Civic Foundations
Week 2: Social Movements
Week 3: Media, Messaging and Innovation
Week 4: Coalitions and Conservation
Week 5: Civic Action Lab
Week 6: Leadership Showcase
Help Make the Next Experience Possible
Your support helps YDI provide scholarships and hands-on civic leadership opportunities for young people across the DMV.