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Admission model for the reference cycle.
In-person Program
Government & Law Summer Program
by National Student Leadership Conference
NSLC combines civic simulations, debate, and leadership workshops to help students understand how laws and policies take shape.
Last verified: 10 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Government and Law at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Applications open
Eligibility
Current middle school students
Age range / Year group
Ages 11-14
Location / Region
American University, Washington, DC
Cost
$3,095 Residential; $2,695 Commuter
Duration
6 days
Format
In-person
Application deadline
Rolling · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Save programLaw & justicePolitics
Accommodation: Campus dormitory; 1-2 roommates
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Campus experience: American University classrooms and campus
Supervision: Team Advisors; on-site administrative team
Commuter hours: 7:00-7:30 AM to 8:00-8:30 PM
Government and Law summary
Government & Law introduces American civic decision-making through simulations of Congress, federalism, and the Supreme Court. Students debate issues, draft legislation, and collaborate on community challenges.
Leadership workshops and museum or landmark trips complement the classroom activities. The program suits students who want to explore government through discussion and teamwork.
What is Government & Law Summer Program?
The Government & Law Summer Program is a National Student Leadership Conference experience focused on American government, law, and civic leadership. Based at American University in Washington, DC, it combines classroom simulations with campus life and trips to museums or historic landmarks.
Students take on roles such as legislators and attorneys to explore how proposals become laws and how public institutions make decisions. Activities cover federalism, voter rights, community planning, and gerrymandering, alongside workshops on communication, empathy, and goal setting.
Why Succeed highlights Government and Law
Congress and Supreme Court simulations give students concrete ways to explore institutions that can otherwise feel abstract.
Community-building activities connect civic decisions with teamwork and limited resources.
Leadership workshops complement subject study with practice in listening, communication, and empathy.
Residential and commuter options give families two ways to experience the same campus program.
Who is Government and Law for?
Best for
Students curious about American government who enjoy discussing current events and learning through group simulations.
Not ideal if
You want advanced legal study or a lightly scheduled camp with plenty of independent downtime.
Is Government and Law worth it?
This program can be worthwhile for a student who wants an active introduction to government and enjoys learning with peers. Its strongest feature is the combination of civic simulations, leadership workshops, and a supervised campus experience.
The six-day format offers exploration rather than sustained legal specialization. Families should weigh that experience against tuition, travel expenses, and the long daily schedule; college credit is not offered for NSLC middle school programs.
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Cost and what is included
$3,095 Residential; $2,695 Commuter; includes Course materials and academic expenses., Breakfast, lunch, and dinner through campus dining., Campus dormitory housing for residential students., Trips, tours, and activities., Transportation for off-campus program events..
Accommodation
Campus dormitory; 1-2 roommates
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Provider details
Review the National Student Leadership Conference provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
6 days; American University, Washington, DC.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Government and Law need?
Effort level
High daily participation.
Best started
Begin planning several months before your intended summer session, allowing time for travel and scholarship documents.
Main challenge
Contributing to debates while listening and collaborating with unfamiliar teammates.
Typical preparation
Review the roles of Congress, state governments, and the Supreme Court.
Choose a current civic issue and practice explaining more than one viewpoint.
Plan the residential stay or daily commute with a parent, and use your student profile's packing and travel guidance.
Useful if
You want to test your interest in government and build confidence speaking in groups.
What do students do on Government and Law?
You work with peers to explore how laws, institutions, and community decisions operate through practical simulations. Leadership workshops and off-campus trips broaden that experience beyond the classroom.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Draft, edit, and vote on a bill in Congress 101.
- 2
Explore the division of power between state and federal governments.
- 3
Examine the Supreme Court's role and voter rights through a simulation.
- 4
Build a community using the resources assigned to your team.
- 5
Investigate community districts and the effects of gerrymandering.
- 6
Practice communication, listening, empathy, and goal setting in leadership workshops.
- 7
Join museum and historic-landmark trips included in your session's itinerary.
Government and Law dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Summer 2026 Session 1
16-21 June 2026
Summer 2026 Session 2
26 June-1 July 2026
Summer 2026 Session 3
5-10 July 2026
Applications open
October 2026
Announced month for Summer 2027 enrollment.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applications | Rolling admissions | Local | Reference date | |
Summer 2026 Session 1 | 16-21 June 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Summer 2026 Session 2 | 26 June-1 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Summer 2026 Session 3 | 5-10 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Applications open | October 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Students must be at least 11 years old.
Students must currently be enrolled in grades 6, 7, or 8.
International students may participate.
How much does Government and Law cost?
Commuter tuition
$2,695 — Includes three campus meals daily.
Funding or discounts
- Residential tuition: $3,095 — Includes campus housing and meals.
- Typical scholarship: $500-$1,000 — Most awards fall in this range; financial need is required.
- Enrollment deposit: Required to enroll and begin a scholarship application.
- Monthly payment plan: No additional fee — Final payment is due 30 days before the session.
What's included
Course materials and academic expenses., Breakfast, lunch, and dinner through campus dining., Campus dormitory housing for residential students., Trips, tours, and activities., Transportation for off-campus program events.
How to apply to Government and Law
- 1
Use NSLC's mailing-list form to receive enrollment announcements for the next summer cycle.
- 2
Complete the online enrollment application at https://portal.nslcleaders.org/register/ with a parent or guardian.
- 3
Choose Government & Law and select the residential or commuter option.
- 4
Pay the required deposit by credit or debit card, or contact NSLC to arrange payment by check.
- 5
For scholarship support, enroll first, then prepare your transcript, educator recommendation, household income information, and essays.
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What does Government and Law cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Congress 101
Students draft, edit, and vote on a bill to explore how legislation becomes law.
Federalism Simulation
Students explore the division of power between state and federal governments.
Supreme Court Simulation
Students examine the Supreme Court's role and the concept of voter rights.
Community Build and Build-Your-Own Government
Teams allocate community resources and explore how districts and gerrymandering affect voter populations.
Leadership workshops
Students practice goal setting, communication, listening, and empathy while exploring personality styles.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Government and Law?
A typical day during the program.
Commuter check in
After Registration Day, students check in daily from 7:00 AM to 7:30 AM.
Commuter checkout
Students check out daily from 8:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
Who teaches on Government and Law?
NSLC Team Advisors accompany students in smaller groups throughout program activities. They also serve as Resident Advisors on students' dormitory floors, with an administrative team living on site.
Where do students stay on Government and Law?
Residential plan
- Campus dormitory: Students stay in campus housing on a floor with peers in their age range.
- Overnight supervision: NSLC staff supervise the dormitory, and its front desk is monitored 24 hours a day.
- Campus dining: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included through campus dining services.
- Trips and activities: Tuition includes program trips, tours, activities, and off-campus event transportation.
Non-residential plan
- Commuter participation: Students attend campus activities between daily morning check-in and evening checkout.
- Commuter meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included each day.
Residential students share rooms with one or two roommates; commuter tuition does not include housing.
What happens after Government and Law?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Explore an interest in government and legal careers.
Practice public speaking, debate, and collaborative decision-making.
Develop leadership skills for school and community activities.
Experience university classrooms and campus routines before high school.
College credit courses are not offered for NSLC middle school programs.
Where does Government and Law take place?
The program takes place at American University in Washington, DC, combining university classrooms and campus life with off-campus exploration. Possible trips include Mount Vernon, the U.S. Capitol, the National Archives, Smithsonian museums, and the National Zoo.
Trip destinations may vary by session; travel to and from the program is additional.
Government and Law FAQs
Students explore legislation, federalism, the Supreme Court, voter rights, community planning, and gerrymandering through simulations. Leadership workshops cover goal setting, personality styles, communication, listening, and empathy.
Yes. The commuter option includes campus activities and three meals daily, with morning check-in and evening checkout after Registration Day.
Team Advisors accompany students during activities and serve as Resident Advisors on their dormitory floors. An administrative team lives on site, and the dormitory front desk is monitored 24 hours a day.
Tuition includes course materials, academic expenses, on-campus meals, trips, tours, activities, and off-campus event transportation. Residential tuition also includes housing; travel to and from the program and personal expenses are additional.
Campus dining services can accommodate dietary allergies and restrictions. Families should complete dietary preferences in the student profile so NSLC can share them with the university before arrival.
NSLC offers scholarships based on financial need, with academic achievement and school or community involvement also considered. Students must enroll and pay a deposit before starting the scholarship application, and awards generally cover only part of tuition.
No. NSLC's American University college credit courses are not offered for middle school programs.
Yes, NSLC welcomes international middle school students. Families should plan travel and entry documentation early; enrolled students can obtain an invitation letter through their student account.
Alternatives to Government and Law
These related programs offer options for older students interested in politics, debate, or law.
Alternatives to Government and Law
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Students aged 13-16 interested in debating and politics.
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Students aged 14-18 exploring politics alongside other social sciences.
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In-person
Best for
Students aged 16-17 considering law and social science subjects.
Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- Ready to Lead? Enroll for Your NSLC Program Today
- Explore Our Study Abroad Programs for International Students | National Student Leadership Conference
- Terms of Use | National Student Leadership Conference
- Discover Exciting Summer Programs for Students
- Summer Program Scholarships | National Student Leadership Conference
- Frequently Asked Questions | National Student Leadership Conference
- Frequently Asked Questions | National Student Leadership Conference
- Government & Law | National Student Leadership Conference
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 10 Oct 2026)
Program activities reviewed
Session dates checked
Eligibility requirements reviewed
Tuition inclusions checked
Residential supervision reviewed
Scholarship requirements checked
Middle school credit exclusion checked
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
Government & Law Summer Program
by National Student Leadership Conference
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