The High School Democrats of America (HSDA) will be hosting another extensive Summit in the nation’s capital this year!
High School Democrats will gather from July 13th through 16th for a transformative experience, uniting high schoolers from across the country for a series of trainings, speaker sessions, panels, tours, and networking events.
The goal of this Summit is to equip young leaders with the grassroots organizing and advocacy skills needed for “Our Future, Our Fight.” Summit brings together the best and brightest of young Democrats. Joined together in Washington, this Summit will provide students with the tools, trainings, and connections they need to secure democratic victories up and down the ballot in their communities while inspiring those around them to get involved as well!
Summit FAQS
What is the HSDA Summit?
The HSDA Summit experience involves uniting ~100 high schoolers from across the country for a series of trainings, speaker sessions, panels, tours, and networking events. The goal of our Summit is to equip young leaders with the grassroots organizing and advocacy skills needed to become “Tomorrow’s Leaders, Today’s Voices”. We bring together the best and brightest of young Democrats and ensure they have the tools and connections they need to secure Democratic victories up and down the ballot in their communities AND empower other students around them to get involved. Examples of previous events at HSDA Summit are: National Mall tours, lobbying on the Hill, keynotes from inspiring Democrats, and trainings on everything from electoral technology to running a local chapter to fundraising to digital organizing to leadership development.
How much does Summit cost?
A full Summit tuition cost is $400. If this is too high of a cost for your family, please consider looking at our need-based scholarship for on our registration page. Tuition includes meals and lodging, but does not include transportation to and from Washington D.C.
Can I get a scholarship to Summit?
Yes! HSDA offers need-based scholarships for summit tution based on availability of funding. There are no criteria for scholarships; scholarships are awarded based on funding, demonstated need, and involvement in HSDA.
What are Mentors?
Mentors are adult chaperones that are handpicked by our Summit staff to ensure participant safety and to facilitate the event. Mentors are often HSDA alumni, party officials, or other leaders with experience in politics. The High School Democrats of America will vet and trains all Mentors to ensure your child is in safe, capable hands. Mentors are each assigned a handful of participants they are responsible for during Summit. These groups will travel with their Mentor and will have room checks by their Mentor. All of these policies promote participant safety.
Can I stay in touch with my child at Summit?
Of course! Participants are welcome to bring their phones along with them to Summit. Additionally, when each participant is assigned to a Mentor’s group, we will give the Mentor’s contact information to students and their parents/guardians back home. Furthermore, the schedule for Summit will be sent to both participants and their parents/guardians. This schedule will be adhered to strictly and, if anything changes, an email blast will inform all participants and their parents. Of course, pictures of Summit attendees will be posted to social media under the hashtag #HSDASummit26. We will also be collecting a folder of pictures that will be shared with attendees after Summit’s conclusion.
What kind of rules/policies are in place to keep my child safe?
The safety of Summit participants is our foremost priority in planning and execution of the Summit. Participants will be subject to several rules in place for the safety and security. Some of these rules include policies against wandering off, a strict no-tolerance policy towards harassment/bullying/violence/sexual activity/drug use, and a buddy system.
Can I come with my child to Summit?
Unless you have been pre-approved as a Mentor by Summit staff, you may not stay with Summit participants at Georgetown University. However, you may choose to travel on your own and stay in D.C. during Summit if you wish. We will not cover any expenses you incur if you choose to travel in Washington, D.C., including transportation or meals. The majority of Summit programming will not be open to the public, including parents. This includes our time inside the Capitol building or congressional offices, certain events inside Georgetown University, and other closed events.
Can my child leave Summit early or come late?
Yes. Participants who spend a reduced time at Summit are still required to pay full tuition costs. The High School Democrats of America, Mentors, nor Summit staff will provide for a way for your child to arrive or exit Georgetown University or Summit-related events in the case of late arrival or early departure. We require that minors (under age 18) be picked up by the legal parent/guardians listed on their paperwork for safety reasons — IDs will be checked; rideshares and taxis are not acceptable ways to depart Summit early. Lastly, if you are planning to arrive late or depart early, please notify Summit staff immediately. Late arrivals or early departures will be approved on a case-by-case basis. We had an emergency come up, can my child leave without prior notification? In the event that your child must leave early due to an emergency, the procedure for departure is the same. We will require a check out with the parent/guardian and participant, after giving notice to the student’s mentor and HSDA’s leadership team.
What is a sample schedule of what you will do at summit?
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM Breakfast & Morning Check-In 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM Opening Session Daily overview, announcements, and logistics. 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM Keynote Address & Q&A Featured speaker discusses youth organizing and the 2026 election cycle. 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM Visit to Democratic National Committee Headquarters Tour of DNC HQ and briefing with youth engagement staff on national strategy. 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Lunch 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM Capitol Hill Visits Mentor groups meet with congressional staffers and policy experts to discuss legislative priorities and pathways into public service. 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM State Party Leaders Panel Conversation with state party officials on organizing at the state and local level. 4:45 PM – 5:00 PM Break 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Dinner 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Guest Speaker Session Speaker shares experience in campaigning, advocacy, or communications, followed by Q&A. 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Evening Visit: National Mall & Memorial Tour 8:30 PM – 9:00 PM Closing Reflection Worried your child will forget something? Mentors may take a select group of participants to a drugstore to purchase items that they may have forgotten as needed. The High School Democrats of America will not cover the costs of anything forgotten, lost, or stolen before, during, or after Summit.
A Thanks for Your Continued Support
Your continued support inspires and motivates us, but we can only go as far as our funds allow us. If you appreciate the work that we as an organization are doing, we strongly encourage you to financially support us. Your generous donation of any amount helps us improve in-person organizing, grant tuition scholarships to students so Summit is accessible, fund state initiatives, and strengthen our internal framework. You can make a donation on our official GiveButter here: https://givebutter.com/hsdasummit2026. We can also arrange for a wire transfer if you are making a donation larger than $1000.