Close Up Foundation

I rarely leave negative reviews, but after spending $7,000 for this trip, I feel obligated to share my experience so other families know what to expect. The biggest issue throughout the entire trip was the lack of communication and organization. We were provided an itinerary before departure, but numerous events and schedules changed either shortly before or during the trip. Unfortunately, these changes were not communicated clearly to parents. One of the most frustrating examples involved meals. We were never clearly informed which meals would be provided and which would be our responsibility. At one point, our group sat down at a restaurant only to be told we needed to leave because our meal was not actually included. As visitors with no knowledge of the area, we were left scrambling to find food. When we asked the program director for guidance, we could not even get a clear answer regarding when we needed to return to the bus. For the amount of money families paid, this level of disorganization was unacceptable. What made matters worse was the attitude we received when concerns were raised. At one point, I was essentially told that I should be grateful just to be able to ride the bus. After paying thousands of dollars for this experience, that response was insulting and incredibly unprofessional. The most disappointing part of the trip involved my husband. I paid an additional $400 specifically to secure a private hotel room rather than sharing with another parent. My husband flew all the way from Texas to New York to spend time with our son and create memories together. Despite this, the program director refused to provide the hotel confirmation number or add my husband’s name to the room I had already paid extra for. As a result, he was unable to access the room to drop off his luggage or join us for the day. Instead, he spent hours sitting in the hotel waiting for us to return and check in before dinner. He traveled across the country for only a few hours with his family and missed precious memories with his son that can never be replaced. The trip also suffered from poor planning regarding how time was allocated at major attractions. We were given only nine minutes to explore the Statue of Liberty, one of the most iconic landmarks in the country, yet we spent two hours at Ellis Island. Then we were given only forty minutes to explore the American Museum of Natural History, a world-renowned museum that could easily take an entire day to experience, while spending an hour and a half in Central Park. The priorities simply did not make sense and left many families feeling rushed through major attractions they had traveled across the country to see. This trip had the potential to be an incredible experience, and there were certainly moments my son enjoyed. However, the lack of communication, poor organization, dismissive treatment of parents, and questionable planning decisions overshadowed much of the experience. Families invest significant time, money, and trust into these trips. Unfortunately, this program did not deliver the level of professionalism and organization that such an investment deserves.

I loved staying here!! Your guides are soooo nice!! I recommend Maria or Liam! They make the experience so fun and engaging. They also make you feel like a family! But the other tour guides are amazing too. Everyone is so welcoming. P.S. thank you so much Maria for being so nice and kind to my group even when they were being not nice to you and acting like fools!! Always will love you! ❤️

This was a great experience for our student, and he had an extremely good time. He came back with more confidence and wider understanding of our world. If there is one thing I could say to any parents that would be potentially sending their student on this trip. The amount of worry that you will have about your child embarking on such a trip so far from home is minimized by the experience. They are safe and having a blast. Don't let your own concerns keep them from this trip. They do a bit of growing up without their folks.

My daughter recently had the incredible opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. with Close Up alongside other juniors from her school and her U.S. History teacher, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. Throughout the week, students were able to experience history and government in action in a way that goes far beyond the classroom. From visiting the National Mall and important historical sites to engaging in meaningful conversations about issues impacting our nation, every part of the trip was educational, inspiring, and eye-opening. One of the most meaningful parts of the experience was meeting students from across the country and around the world, hearing different perspectives, and building connections through shared experiences. As we approach the 250th anniversary of American democracy, programs like this are more important than ever in helping students better understand civic engagement and the world around them. I’m so grateful to Close Up for creating such a well-organized, enriching, and memorable program. My daughter came home with new knowledge, new friendships, and experiences she will carry with her for years to come.

Several months ago, my junior class participated in the Close Up program, and we still talk about it all the time. It was truly a life changing experience I will never forget. Since attending Close Up I have become far more engaged in politics. I am even considering choosing a career path that relates to politics - something I never would have thought I would do before visiting Washington D.C. I highly recommend participating in the Close Up program if you are into US history or love debating, and even if you don't! There is truly something for everyone.