The Power + Character Curriculum
An experiential approach to nurturing civic identity in young people.
We get it — it’s not easy to teach civics to young people these days.
On one hand, the need for dynamic civic education and identity formation has never been greater. And yet today’s political landscape — as well as cultural and codified barriers — make designing civic experiences for young people feel charged, insufficient, even impossible.
It’s time for a new way to do civics. It’s time to do citizenship.
Citizenship is not just about what papers or passports we hold. And it’s not just about knowing how a bill becomes a law. It’s about our everyday choices and mindsets, about how we see ourselves as contributing members of society that take responsibility for the problems around us.
Our communities and country are depending on each of us living like a citizen. And our young people are depending on the adults in their lives to help them figure out how to live like a citizen. But they’re missing dedicated spaces in which to wrestle with, try on, and celebrate their transition out of childhood and towards an identity of powerful, responsible citizenship. That’s where you come in.
Spark life-long commitment to citizenship through the Power + Character curriculum.
These two pieces — the confidence to circulate civic power in community and an identity rooted in civic character — help students understand themselves as citizens. This understanding builds civic faith. It sparks a deep, self-motivated commitment to serving others and helping to create a nation that can follow through on the promise of America: a mass, multiracial, multifaith democratic republic that delivers liberty and justice for all.
About the curriculum
The Power + Character = Citizenship approach is the foundation of the curriculum we offer for educators working with students ages 14-24. It provides modular, adaptable, and experiential content designed around three outcomes.
First, to increase students’ literacy in how power flows in civic life and how they can harness it to improve conditions in their communities.
Second, to deepen their sense of moral discernment and to live a life rooted in critical thinking, moral choice-making, and civic character.
And third, to kindle the belief that practicing this kind of citizenship matters.
The curriculum is designed to be integrated into the classroom or activated in out-of-school time. It has modular and adaptable building blocks that help young people…
- Sharpen their citizen senses
- Clarify their citizen mind
- Deepen their citizen heart
- Embrace their citizen power
The Power + Character curriculum offers conversations, activities, and practical exercises that transform the way young people see themselves in relation to others. Whether in the classroom, over a series of weeks, in an immersive camp setting, it’s meant to be tailored to your place and your people. And importantly, it includes a framework for celebration — a ceremony for each student to share why their community matters to them and to the country, and what they commit to as a lifelong powerful, responsible citizen.
But first, investigate for yourself.
It’s not just students that need fortification and renewal these days. We know how much heart educators pour into their work — and you deserve to experience the same sort of reflection and recommitment you hope to inspire in your students.
That’s why we’ve designed a three-day experiential curriculum training program that provides an enriching deep dive into this work yourself. Rather than plopping a curriculum into your hands, we will join hands and step into moral discernment, civic skill building, and critical thinking together. Educators also join the broader Citizen University network, full of eager thought-partners, co-conspirators, and creative thinkers who bring insights as classroom teachers, youth program facilitators, administrators, counselors, and coaches.
The ‘train the trainer’ model of teaching allowed me to experience the curriculum first hand and develop my own civic skills. I felt better equipped to create programming designed for student development.
Civic educator Emma Cartwright has adapted this curriculum for her work with college students. She shares, “My week with Citizen University was transformational for my personal and professional development. I emerged with a better understanding of what true civic engagement meant and how to incorporate social justice, service, and community engagement. What wasn’t made evident until attending the training was that we need to help students develop crucial skills (problem solving, listening, critical thinking, self-advocacy) before we expect them to graduate ready for citizenship.” Read Emma’s story →
Convene your network and we’ll bring the Power + Character Curriculum to you.
Our team of facilitators is excited to help your community of educators adopt and adapt this curriculum. We have worked with hosting partners across the nation — such as North Carolina Campus Engagement, Community Renewal in Louisiana, and Northwestern University in Illinois. For 2025, we’re looking to partner with hosts who will convene 30-45 educators to take part in this training and receive ongoing support from the Citizen University team and broader community.
As both our nation’s landscape and young people’s needs are evolving, our content is evolving too! This year we will be developing new elements of our educator support programs and we want to partner with individuals and networks who are excited to help us create what you need most. If you’re ready, raise your hand to get access to this potent curriculum which will invite your students into the question of what they believe America should be and could be — and why it’s worth trying to achieve that country.
Please reach out to Program Director Zoey Cane Belyea to explore more!
Send Zoey a note at [email protected] or schedule a time to meet.
Are you looking for information on Citizen Redefined?
We are phasing out that edition of our educator training, but past info can be found here.
Growing young people’s civic identity through Citizen Redefined.
Lessons from a community leader on military service, responsibility, and the importance of being seen.
Power + character
Civic power is how we can be a force for good and civic character is what you do when everybody’s looking.
Reckoning with our role as an American is part of what it means to live like a citizen.
