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.
Constitutional Educator Intensive: Teachers Learn from Leading Historians in Philadelphia
From June 7–12, 41 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 partnership 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, and other leading historians and legal scholars.
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, 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 every day.
O’Connor Institute Ambassadors Summer of Service
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.
Civics for Life Book Club: June 25
Join us on June 25 for the next Civics for Life Book Club discussion featuring The Greatest Sentence Ever Written by Walter Isaacson.
Together, we'll explore the famous opening words of the Declaration of Independence and discuss what they mean in our communities today. Through thoughtful conversation and respectful dialogue, participants will examine how the ideals expressed in America's founding document continue to shape civic life more than two centuries later.
Haven't read the book? You're still welcome.
The Civics for Life Book Club is designed for anyone interested in civic learning, civic discussion, and hearing diverse perspectives. Whether you've read every chapter or simply want to join the conversation, you'll find a welcoming community of lifelong learners.
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.
Summer of Civics: 12 Ways to Get Civically Engaged
Looking for meaningful ways to stay engaged in your community this summer?
Our latest Summer of Civics blog highlights 12 practical ways to get civically engaged, from volunteering in your community and attending local government meetings to exploring historical sites, joining civic discussions, and expanding your civic knowledge.
Civic engagement isn't limited to election years. It happens every day when citizens learn, participate, volunteer, and contribute to the well-being of their communities.
Whether you're a student, parent, educator, or lifelong learner, this practical guide offers simple and impactful ways to strengthen your civic habits all summer long.
Read the full blog and start your Summer of Civics journey today.
Reading this on the web? Be the first to know about program and event news via email. Register for The Citizen and receive news straight to your inbox.