Civic Leadership Academy

The Civic Leadership Academy prepares cadet officers for impactful civic leadership by (1) equipping them with essential skills to influence public policy and drive positive community involvement, (2) instilling in them a deep sense of civic responsibility, and (3) fostering a comprehensive understanding of the structure and mechanisms within of local and federal government organizations. 

Shape the future of public service and politics with exceptional access. CAP's Civic Leadership Academy, a dynamic and exclusive 1-week program in Washington, DC, offers aspiring leaders an unparalleled immersive experience. This is an immersive program designed to equip cadets to influence public policy, drive community involvement, and understand government, not just a sightseeing tour. CLA combines exclusive access with challenging seminars, readings, and capstone projects. Cadets meet with senior US government civilian and military leaders, receive organizational briefings, and engage in strategic-level discussions at the Capitol, Supreme Court, State Department, Pentagon, CIA, a wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery, and more. The week includes Civil Air Patrol's Legislative Day, when cadets will partake with their wing's respective legislative day delegations and meet with their elected leaders on Capitol Hill. 

Lodging and meals are provided as part of the activity fee. Cadets receive dinner on the arrival day, all meals during the program, and breakfast on the departure day. Cadets may wish to bring extra spending money for snacks and souvenirs. Many federal agencies have gift shops with unique items not found elsewhere. 

Contact for Activity: cla@capnhq.gov

Participants: 20 cadets

Possess the Mitchell at the time of application
Minimum age of 16 by start of activity
Be a US Citizen (requirement for entrance into certain government facilities)
Members of the National Cadet Advisory Council (NCAC) assigned to attend NCAC meetings in DC are not eligible for CLA due to conflicting schedule requirements.
Be in Physical Fitness category I. *
* Cadets will walk up to 5 - 9 miles each day.

Staff: 4 senior members (including the activity director)

Cadets: N/A

Senior Members: 
Staff member applicants with experience in government/civil service, political process, or law will have preference
Prior attendance at CAP's Legislative Day is a plus
Must be able to walk up to 5 - 9 miles each day

Use Registration Zone to apply for this activity. Applicants will need to complete the application and upload the documents listed below in PDF format to the event 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, by 15 December.

Applications close on 8 October at 12pm Central. All required items for cadet participant applicants are due by 12pm Noon on 8 October through Registration Zone only. 

Participants:

Please upload the following documents to your Civic Leadership eServices application in Registration Zone. 

1. A resume of your achievement in CAP, school, and community service (2 pages maximum)  (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.). - You may use Word (or other word processing editor) and upload a PDF of your essay, or use the fillable form.

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 that ideally highlights your experience with one (or more) of the three branches of government, working with cadets, and interacting with senior leaders.

Important Information:

Please search for Civic Leadership Academy in Registration Zone to fill out your application.

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.)

Apply for Cadet Lift and Take-Off Program Cadet (TOP), to be considered for needs-based financial assistance.  These programs are designed to offset costs associated with attending some NCSAs. They include payment of your activity fees and travel reimbursement towards transportation to and from the activity.  

Deadline to apply for financial assistance is 8 October NLT 12pm Central. Applying for Lift/Top does not guarantee financial assistance will be offered. 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 Lift/Top before you are required to accept or decline a slot at an activity.  

• 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

• Cadets selected for the program will be required to sign a CLA Contract and adhere to professional conduct and engage in CLA engagements.

• DO NOT 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. Parking a personal vehicle is NOT an option.

• Participants: Plan to arrive on Sunday, 21 February 2027, before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Cadets will be released from the activity starting at 6:00 a.m., and must check out no later than 12:00 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, 28 February 2027. Travel to and from the activity is in civilian clothes.   

• Staff arrives between 1500 and 1800 on 20 February and departs no earlier than 1200 on 1 March

• Required Staff Training in-person is TBD, but all staff must complete online Required Staff Training modules in Absorb before arrival.