Since 1971, Close Up has provided challenging, hands-on civic education programs in
Washington, DC. Each year we serve over 15,000 students and teachers in more than 1,200
schools and youth organizations nationwide. Close Up is the only civic education program that
serves every segment of society, actively seeking to provide opportunities for all high school
and middle school students regardless of their socio-economic level or prior academic success.
Over the past forty years, more than 825,000 students and teachers from across the country
have participated in Close Up programs.

We believe that a strong democracy requires active and informed participation by all citizens;
therefore we seek to reach participants of every race, creed, geographical community, socio-
economic level, and academic standing. Close Up welcomes participation on its programs
without regard to gender, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national
origin or disability. To carry out our mission, we partner with educators, schools, and youth
organizations throughout the country to help young people develop the skills and attitudes to
become informed and engaged citizens.

Overall, the organization offers an abundance of programs pertaining to youth education and
prospering into individual educated adults. The programs help their students better understand
current issues and their roles as citizens in a democracy.