This one-week Civics intensive gives students a grounded, practical understanding of how their government works and what their rights actually are. Inspired by the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., the class centers on empowerment, civic responsibility, and the belief that young people can shape their communities and the world around them.

Across the week, students explore:

• Foundations of Government:
  How local, state, and federal government systems function, who makes decisions, and how laws are created.

• The Constitution & Individual Rights:
  What the Constitution and Bill of Rights really say, how these rights apply today, and how people have historically fought to expand and protect them.

• Civic Participation:
  Voting, petitions, community organizing, public service, and the many ways people can influence change long before they’re old enough to vote.

• MLK’s Legacy & Social Movements:
  How Dr. King and other activists used strategy and nonviolent action to shift laws and culture. Students examine what effective activism looks like today.

• Justice, Equality & Responsibility:
  Understanding fairness, representation, and how to recognize issues that matter in their communities.

• How Power Works:
  Branches of government, checks and balances, political parties, media influence, and how to interpret information with a critical eye.

• Practical Skills for Real Life:
  Contacting representatives, knowing your rights in everyday situations, and speaking up effectively.

By the end of the week, students walk away with a stronger sense of agency, a clearer understanding of their rights, and the confidence to participate meaningfully in their community. The goal is to help them see that civics isn’t dry or distant; it’s something they live every day, and it’s a tool they can use to create a more just world.