Global Scholar: Washington, D.C.

Global Scholar: Washington, DC

Session 1: June 28-July 3. Based at American University, Washington, DC
ReGen Youth Summit: July 5-8. Based at American University, Washington, DC
DC Extension: July 3-5. Based at American University, Washington, DC [July 4, Sightseeing, College Tours for Scholars in Sessions 1 or the ReGen Summit only]

A Civic Leadership Experience Rooted in Power, Policy, and Youth Participation

Our flagship Global Scholar experience places youth at the center of civic leadership and global decision-making. Based in Washington, DC, this residential program immerses students in the real-world systems that shape policy, democracy, and global affairs–while equipping them to influence what comes next.

Through site visits, simulations, and conversations with policy professionals, advocates, and movement leaders, Scholars explore urgent global challenges including climate justice, immigration, global health, and human rights. This program emphasizes understanding how power works and how to use your voice responsibly, creatively, and effectively.

What You’ll Do

Learn from diplomats, policy experts, youth leaders, and frontline changemakers
Participate in simulations, think tanks, and advocacy workshops
Explore Washington, DC through visits to Capitol Hill, museums, embassies, and civic institutions
Build a capstone project or contribute to AMP’s State of Global Youth Report
Develop your voice through collaboration, debate, and impact-driven storytelling

America’s 250th / July 4 & ReGen Summit Options

Our flagship DC program runs from June 28-July 3. In addition, Scholars can choose to stay longer for the America’s 250th / July 4 Extension (July 3-5) and/or the ReGen Youth Summit (July 5-8).

During the America’s 250th / July 4th Extension, we will visit local universities (George Washington and Georgetown), and spend July 4 sightseeing on the National Mall, experiencing one of the nation’s best fireworks displays, and experiencing America’s 250th Anniversary!

The ReGen Youth Summit is a hands-on and energizing skills accelerator, during which Scholars will connect with youth from around the globe and build skills to implement impactful programs in their communities. The Summit is based on our Youth Action Framework, featuring skills to increase trust and participation, build bridges, enhance media literacy, and more.

These experiences are built to mix and match. You can join one or all of them.

What’s Included

Residential housing at American University in Washington, DC
All meals, local transportation, and program materials
Daily programming led by expert facilitators and guest speakers
Cultural excursions and community-building activities
Access to AMP’s alumni network and year-round leadership opportunities

This Experience is Ideal For:

Youth interested in leadership, social issues, government, diplomacy, public policy, advocacy, or economic development. This program is for rising 8th-12th graders who are curious, bold, and visionary. You do not need any particular prior experience or coursework; the biggest thing we look for is curiosity and eagerness to explore urgent global challenges and become changemakers. The program is held in English.

Apply now!

Details and Logistics:

Where will this program take place? This summer our Washington, DC programs are based at beautiful American University. American is a lovely and historic campus with easy access to shops, stores, and downtown Washington, DC.

Housing: Scholars stay in a secure dorm on campus alongside our program staff. Most rooms are double occupancy, with a shared bathroom on the floor. Our residential staff-to-student ratio is approximately 1:9. Laundry facilities and vending machines are available in the dorm.

Meals: While we eat many of our meals in the dining hall, we also eat in downtown Washington, DC on the days we are visiting offices or sightseeing. The campus also has several restaurants and shops. We are always able to accommodate special diets or allergies; please share anything we should know on your welcome survey.

Price: We are committed to ensuring as many students as possible can benefit from this life-changing experience. We are committed to offering an honest and accessible price. We are significantly more affordable than any of our peer programs. This is not due to any difference in quality of programming. Rather, we are a mission-focused non-profit organization, not a business looking to extract excessive costs from students and their families.

The application process: We offer one application for all of our programs, found here. We strive to respond to all applications within 7 days. We will send you a link to register for your chosen program(s) in your acceptance email. Please make an initial deposit for the program within 10 days of acceptance to save your spot.

How do I apply for financial aid? We will share the financial aid application with admitted students, and release aid decisions once per month. There is no application fee.

What’s Included: The program fee includes room, board, materials, and the program itself. Scholars are responsible for paying for transportation to/from Washington, DC, supplemental meals or snacks, and spending money. Scholars are also expected to pay for lunch on the three days we are sightseeing downtown. Although it’s hard to estimate, a reasonable amount of spending money might be $50-75/week. Scholars may also opt for airport pick up at their point of arrival (DCA or IAD airports, or Union Station) for a small transfer fee.

What else can I do with AMP Global Youth this summer? This summer, we are offering programs in Washington, DC, Atlanta GA and Online. Here’s an overview:

Session 1: June 28-July 3. Based at American University, Washington, DC (weekend extension available)
ReGen Youth Summit: July 5-8. Based at American University, Washington DC and/or Virtual (weekend extension available)
Session 3: July 12-18. Based at Emory University, Atlanta, GA (with travel to Montgomery, AL)
DC Extension: July 3-5. Based at American University, Washington DC [Sightseeing, July 4, College Tours for Scholars in Sessions 1 or 2 only]

Questions? Please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are a virtual office, so email is usually the fastest way to reach us: GlobalScholar@AMPGlobalYouth.org. We are very happy to schedule a time to speak, too!

We hope to see you in Washington this summer!

2026 Dates