2005 Camp DC Democracy Schedule

DC History Tour
Washington Navy Yard & Museum
Monday, August 1, 2005

Our third annual DC Young Suffragist Summer Camp began with a great program at the Washington Navy Yard. Bill McLeod, Executive Director of the award-winnng Barracks Row Main Street revitalization program, created a hands-on history lesson for the kids. We learned all about DC's struggle for democracy, the American Revolution, the nautical history of our country, tea taxes, winch houses, and more! Thanks Bill and Karen of the Navy Museum for welcoming us to the community and helping us envision how our city was built.

How Did India Fix It?
Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2-3:30pm
Indian Embassy
Meet at Gandhi Statue at Mass. Ave, 21st & Q Streets NW at 2pm.
Dupont Circle Metro

A representative from the Indian Embassy will talk to the kids about the great work of Mahatma Gandhi in bringing democracy to India. Then we will find out the story of India's capital city and how the residents eventually gained home rule. All this and an Embassy tour too!

Explore Maryland's State Capital
Friday, August 5, 10am-noon, followed by optional b-y-o picnic lunch
Joint Hearing Room, First Floor, Legislative Services Building
90 State Circle, Annapolis, Maryland

Join us for a special tour of the historic rooms and chambers of the State House of Maryland in Annapolis, as we discover how a state capital functions. How is it different from our national capital? What would be different if DC were part of Maryland again? Would Maryland want us?! We'll try to get all of our questions answered as we explore Maryland's beautiful capital. Afterwards we'll gather in a nearby park for a bring-your-own picnic lunch.

Monday, August 8, 10-11:30am
Planning Workshop for Friday "Solutions Symposium"
League of Women Voters (National Headquarters), 1730 M Street NW

A director from the League of Women Voters will help the kids design a successful program to be held four days later, exploring the various ways to bring democracy to Washington. She will also discuss the importance of active and informed citizenship in a successful democracy, as modeled by the thousands of League members across the United States. Cool!

Wednesday, August 10
Day on the Hill
(Times will be finalized next week)

We'll meet with congressional leaders from Hawaii and/or Alaska to find out how they became states. We'll meet with a Constitution expert to learn what has to happen to pass an amendment. And we'll take a photo on the steps of the Capitol with our Senator. Oh, wait, guess we can't do that. But we can watch kids from other states doing it!

Friday, August 12, 3:30-5pm
Kids' Solve-It Circle & Afterparty
Sewall Belmont House & Museum (www.sewallbelmont.org)
144 Constitution Avenue, NE

Invited speakers who support different solutions for DC democracy will help the kids explore which options make sense for our city and for our country. Is statehood for DC "overrepresentation"? Is there such a thing? Does Maryland want us? Can we have senators if we're not part of any state? Is the status quo acceptable? Maybe we'll have it all sorted out by the conclusion of this program. Then we'll have a kids' sparkling grape juice toast to celebrate their hard work and continued learning on the road to DC Democracy.