Civic Leadership Academy

Use the following course numbers to verify you are selecting the correct activity in the eServices "Preferences" tab of your application.  Activities appear alphabetically, but will have the course number next to them in the tab. You can download a sortable spreadsheet on the ncsas.com homepage for a complete listing of activity course numbers. If you can't see the course number on your device, try changing the zoom on the page.

eServices Short Name	Cadet Participant Course #	Staff Participant Course #	Activity Full Name
Civic Leadership Academy	206	207	Civic Leadership Academy

The 20 most outstanding cadet applicants, as judged by CLA faculty, will be selected to attend and announced via email by 15 December. Selectees use this link for pre-course work. (Link not available until selectees announced.)

Financial Support: Go to the eServices CadetInvest Module and apply for Cadet Lift and Take-Off Program Cadet (TOP), to be considered for needs-based financial assistance or NCSA scholarships.  Also apply for flight scholarships. These programs are designed to offset costs associated with attending some NCSAs, as well as flight academies. They include payment of your activity fees and transportation to and from the activity. Go to the CadetInvest pages for more details. Deadline to apply for scholarships and financial assistance is 31 December. Being offered financial assistance is not a guarantee of acceptance into an activity. You must compete for and receive a slot at an activity. You will be notified if you are a recipient of financial aid/scholarship before you are required to accept or decline a slot at an activity.  

Contact for Activity: cla@capnhq.gov

Activity Website (if applicable): N/A

How to Apply:

Use the "Apply Online" link here or on the ncsas.com homepage to connect you to eServices' Registration and Payment System. Applicants will need to complete the application and upload the following documents in PDF format to the supplemental tab of their eServices application. All staff also must apply via eServices, or they will not receive credit for the activity in their records. For staff applicants, you will be contacted to let you know whether or not you have been selected. Applications will be accepted from 15 October to 20 November. To be considered for priority placement status, the completed application including supplemental documents must be submitted by 20 November. Applications submitted after 20 November are accepted but considered "late" and will be placed AFTER all applications submitted before the deadline. Priority timelines do not apply to staff applications. 

Participants:

Please use the tab titled "Supplemental" to upload the following documents to your Civic Leadership eServices application. If you apply to more than one activity requiring supplemental documents, be sure to include the activity name somewhere on the document. You will need to combine all supplements of a one category into one file before uploading. The system only retains the latest upload in each document area. For example, all resumes must be combined into a single file.  All letters of recommendation should be combined into one file.  All supplemental documents should be combined into one file.

1.  A resume of your achievement in CAP, school, and community service (1 page only)  (Resumes will be graded by the resume standards set in Chapter 8 of Learn to Lead Volume 2.)
2.  A Letter of Recommendation from a teacher or leader (other than a parent)
3.  A 400 – 600 word essay on the topic listed below. (Essays will be graded by the essay standards set in Chapter 8 of Learn to Lead Volume 2.) 

Essay topics: Select one of the notable supreme court cases from recent years listed below. In your essay please summarize the facts of the case, explain how the court ruled, give your reaction, and explain why you feel as you do.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission 
Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores
Obergefell v. Hodges
Riley v. California 

Staff: A resume

Eligibility Requirements:

Note: Cadets enrolled in Cadet Wings are not eligible for national activities until they complete the program or are disenrolled.

Participants:

Possess the Mitchell at the time of application
Minimum age of 16 by start of activity
Be in Physical Fitness category I. *
* Cadets will walk up to 3 - 5 miles each day.

Staff:

Cadets: N/A

Senior Members: 
Preference is for staff members to have experience in government/civil service, political process, or law
Prior attendance at CAP's Legislative Day is a plus
Able to walk up to 3 - 5 miles each day

Graduation Requirements:

Complete all online assignments prior to arrival (assignments begin 6 weeks prior to course start)
Actively participate in 80% of the contact hours and not dismissed early for behavior
Activity Director determines course objectives met

Travel:

Await to book travel until you receive guidance from the activity staff. The hotel provides shuttle transportation to/from Reagan National Airport (DCA). Participants may also be dropped off/picked up via personal vehicle. 

Participants arrive between 1200 and 2000 on 25 Feb and depart between 0700 and 1200 on 4 March

Staff arrives between 1500 and 2000 on 24 Feb and departs no earlier than 1200 on 4 March

Required Staff Training on 24 Feb at 2000

Activity Goal:

The goal of Civic Leadership Academy is to foster cadet officers’ civic growth by increasing their: (1) leadership skills; (2) sense of civic responsibility; and (3) overall interest in the democratic process.

If you’re interested in politics and careers in public service, CAP’s Civic Leadership Academy, an exciting 1-week program in Washington, DC, is for you.  Cadets participate in behind-the scenes tours and briefings at the Capitol, Supreme Court, State Department, Pentagon, CIA, Arlington National Cemetery, and more. This is not your average field trip to Washington. CLA is an academically-focused activity that includes seminars, readings, and group projects. The week culminates with Legislative Day, when cadets meet with their elected leaders on Capitol Hill.

NOTE: National Association of Secondary School Principals has discontinued its list of approved activities, and so therefore, we no longer have an endorsement from NASSP.