The Sandra Day O'Connor Institute advances civic education, civic engagement, and democratic participation across the United States. Each month, The Citizen highlights our programs, events, and community impact, including immersive student experiences like Camp O'Connor USA, professional development for educators, civic discussion events, and resources for lifelong learners. Explore what's happening in civics education this June.
Camp O’Connor USA: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Civic Experience
This month, the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute welcomed 125 outstanding students from 30 states to Phoenix, Arizona, for Camp O'Connor USA 2026 — one of the nation's premier civic education programs for young leaders.
Throughout the week, campers stepped beyond the classroom and into the real world of government, public service, and civic leadership. They met elected officials, visited key civic institutions, participated in hands-on learning experiences, and explored how engaged citizens make a difference in their communities and country.
For many students, Camp O'Connor USA is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to engage directly with the people and processes that shape our nation. This year's program carried special significance as America commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States, giving campers a unique opportunity to reflect on our nation's founding ideals and consider their own role in carrying them forward.
Please join us in congratulating this year's Stars & Stripes Candidate, Niharika, selected by her peers and guests at the Convention, Closing Ceremonies, and Graduation Ceremony on Friday, June 12. Niharika represented the Eagle campaign and is from Arizona. To all five candidates, your campaigns, and your staff — great work. We can't wait to see what you do next!
By investing in the next generation of civic leaders, Camp O'Connor USA continues to advance civic education, civic engagement, and the long-term strength of our nation.
"I would like to thank you for this truly life-changing opportunity. This past week, I had some of the best political/civics discussions of my life. Thank you for having this camp. It has truly been the best "well done" camps I have been to. The experiences are ones I will never forget, and I hope you and the O'Connor Institute know that. Thank you for the space for a space for ideas, opinions, and beliefs to get shared." - Lauren, 2026 Camper
Constitutional Educator Intensive: Teachers Learn from Leading Historians in Philadelphia
From June 7–12, educators from across the country gathered in Philadelphia for the Constitutional Educator Intensive, a professional development program sponsored by the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute in collaboration with the National Constitution Center and the Organization of American Historians.
This week-long civics educator workshop immersed participants in constitutional history through expert-led discussions, historic site visits, primary source analysis, and collaboration with fellow teachers. Participants had the opportunity to learn from some of the nation's most distinguished scholars, including Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Annette Gordon-Reed, acclaimed Civil War historian David Blight, Pulitzer-Prize Winning Author Jill Lepore, Yale University U.S. History Professor Joanne Freeman, and Robert George, Princeton professor and founder of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions.
Together, educators explored constitutional history spanning the founding era, the Civil War, and beyond, gaining fresh perspectives and classroom-ready resources to help students better understand the principles and events that shaped the United States.
By supporting civics educators through this unique, free resource, the O'Connor Institute extends its impact far beyond a single week, reaching thousands of students through the teachers who bring civic learning to life in their classrooms every day.
- "The summer intensive was an amazing experience, and thank you for making it possible for me to attend; I gained so much insight to share with my students and loved the time to learn alongside my fellow educators." - Missy L., Kansas Educator
High School Students: O’Connor Institute Ambassadors Summer of Service
You Could Earn a $500 Community Service Award!
Civic engagement doesn't take a summer break.
This summer, members of the O'Connor Institute Ambassadors Online Civics & Debate Club are invited to participate in the Summer of Service, an opportunity to strengthen their communities while building leadership skills and putting civic values into action.
Participants can volunteer with organizations they care about, support local initiatives, and complete service projects that address real community needs. Eligible students may submit their service hours for the opportunity to receive a $500 community service award.
The Summer of Service encourages students to move beyond learning about citizenship and actively practice it, demonstrating that civic engagement begins with everyday actions that make a meaningful difference.
Not an Ambassador yet? Join today at oconnorinstitute.org/ambassadors.
Already an Ambassador? Apply for a community service award here.
Before It Became History
What did history look like before anyone knew it would become history?
Before It Became History, a podcast series from the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute, explores the people and moments that shaped the American story. Each episode looks beyond the legend to examine the decisions, conflicts, and ideas that tested the promise of liberty and helped define our nation.
Before they were names in history books, they were organizers, poets, spies, diplomats, soldiers, and citizens making difficult choices in uncertain times. Before they were events we study today, they were stories shared between neighbors, reported in newspapers, discussed around dinner tables, and broadcast across radio waves and television screens.
By exploring pivotal moments through the eyes of those who lived them, Before It Became History offers a deeper understanding of how ordinary people and extraordinary circumstances helped shape the United States.
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