Congress 2010
September 27 - October 2, 2010 in Richmond, VA
Fees
Student Price: $279
($259 through August 14)
Parent Price: $279
($259 through August 14)
Leadership
Program Director: Jonathan Showman
Guest Director: TBA
TeenPact Congress is an all new Alumni event designed to offer deeper insight into the workings of the United States Congress, spark interest for a career as a lawmaker and provide a context for students who enjoy parliamentary procedure debates.
TeenPact Congress will be held in Richmond, VA, using the state capitol complex. Students, staff and parents will stay nearby and participate in other favorite TeenPact activities such as Ultimate Frisbee, Evening Sessions, Praise & Worship, and Rendezvous.
Ready for an exciting, challenging week? TeenPact Congress will be an intense hands-on experience that you will never forget!
YOUR MISSION
Your mission is to be part of TeenPact history by establishing vision and protocol for all future sessions of TeenPact Congress. Each of you will be representing your district as you band together to form the Charter Congress, making TeenPact history with your ideas and leadership. By the end of the week you will have walked the halls of power, have a better understanding of political theory, have experience debating bills and will have written the by-laws for TeenPact Congress.
SCHEDULE OVERVIEW
We will be doing a variety sessions, activities, outings and opportunities to make TeenPact Congress a one-of-a-kind, powerful, exciting event. Though subject to change, here’s a brief overview…
Monday, September 27
- Check In, Orientation
- Worship, Discussion: Political Values and Parties
- Hands On: District Profiles
- Free time, Coffeehouse, Rendezvous
Tuesday, September 28
- Devo, Bonjour, Worship
- Discussion: Foundations of Liberty and the Constitution
- Hands On: Sightseeing, History, American Values
- Free time, Coffeehouse, Rendezvous
Wednesday, September 29
- Devo, Bonjour, Worship
- Discussion: Parliamentary Procedure and Bylaws
- Hands On: Drafting, Debating, Lobbying
- Free time, Coffeehouse, Rendezvous
Thursday, September 30
- Devo, Bonjour, Worship
- Discussion: U.S. Congress
- Hands On: Sightseeing, Lobbying
- Free time, Coffeehouse, Rendezvous
Friday, October 1
- Devo, Bonjour
- Worship, Discussion: For the People by the People
- Hands On: Open Debate on By Laws and Bills, Elections, Awards
- Free time, Coffeehouse, Rendezvous
Saturday, October 2
- Worship, Adjourn Sine Die
- Pack Up and Go
HOMEWORK
To prepare for our intense time together, please come with the following items completed:
1) Read the U.S. Constitution and be able to discuss the purpose of each article and amendment.
2) Read 1 Samuel 7:15 - 10:24
3) Research your actual Congressional district and be able to discuss the following: What is the population of your district? What are three major industries in your district? What counties and towns does your district cover? What is the largest populated area in your district? What political leanings does your district have? What are the top two biggest needs for citizens in your district? Locate and include a map of your district.
4) Write one bill addressing the issues that your district faces. Remember, these are federal laws that will apply to all 50 states.
5) Write at least one bill addressing one of the following issues: Health Care, Stimulus/Taxes/Unemployment, Education Reform, Social Security, Veterans, Energy/Environment, Immigration Foreign Policy
TRAVEL INFORMATION
For those driving...
1) Arrive on September 27 - please check in between 3 and 5pm
2) Departing on October 20 - please plan on leaving between 10am-12pm
3) The drop off spot is TBA; check back soon for details.
For those flying...
1) Try booking your flight through TeenPact Travel.
2) Book your flight into Richmond, VA (RIC)
3) Arriving on September 27 - please schedule to land before 4pm
4) Departing on October 2 - please try to schedule your depature for after 11am
5) TeenPact staff will meet you at your baggage claim when you arrive and deliver you back to your ticketing counter when you depart. Wear a TeenPact shirt so we can find you easily!
6) Don't forget to enter your flight information on your online account!
WHAT TO BRING
- Personal toiletries (soap, toothpaste, shampoo, etc)
- Bedding (pillow and sheets/blanket or sleeping bag)
- A towel
- A Bible, notebook and pen
- Casual clothes (see TeenPact Dress Code) for evenings
- Capital clothes for four days (see TeenPact Dress Code)
- Your Congress homework
- Any sort of knief or firearm/weapon
- CD players, mp3 players and laptops, or other media.
