The Power + Character Curriculum
The Power + Character curriculum offers texts to study, embodied exercises, and reflective discussion prompts that transform the way young people see themselves in relation to others.
Whether embedded into classroom teaching, as the foundation for a summer camp, or anything in between, 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.
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Use the curriculum
We offer full access to the curriculum guidebook with the hopes that you’ll use it — in full or in part — to expand and deepen the way you approach civics with your students. Its modular design will enable you to find the activities that fit your context.
Fill out the form below and we’ll email you a copy of the curriculum as an editable Google Doc so you can jump right to making it your own.
Curriculum case studies
In training, coaching, and working alongside educators across the country, we’ve seen some imaginative and impactful adaptations of the Power + Character Curriculum.
As a summer camp
As Executive Director of North Carolina Campus Engagement, Leslie Garvin brought the curriculum to life through a summer camp. This week-long immersion in civic identity kicked off a full academic year of civic practice. “The goal,” she said, “was to build a sustainable and empowering cycle—where past participants become mentors for the next cohort, fostering real continuity.” After the immersive camp, students worked on local civic impact projects throughout the summer and fall, with ongoing mentorship and support. “We’re centering this work as core to democracy and belonging,” Leslie shared. From in-person camps to scalable, statewide engagement, her model proves how the power + character framework can anchor a meaningful, long-term arc of youth civic formation.
As a leadership course
Kristin Koch integrated these ideas into an eight-week leadership course at William Peace University, focusing on students who were often “not the most prepared for the real world.” The sessions created space for them to reflect on identity, community, and civic responsibility through a social change leadership lens. “As part of orientation, we use [this program] to foster a sense of civic responsibility among incoming students,” Kristin shared. Students explored deep listening, moral reflection, joining, and power over eight 90-minute sessions. A highlight was the culminating celebration, co-created with students as both a personal and public declaration of civic commitment. Her students left more rooted, more reflective, and more empowered — and Kristin plans to continue the program each semester.
As part of an organization’s approach
Jacob Merkle, Executive Director of Rhizome, has helped weave these framework of Citizenship into the very DNA of their youth organizing network. Working with over 250 high school Fellows and dozens of college-aged Organizers, Rhizome embraced the curriculum as a cultural framework — not just a training tool. “Citizen Redefined brought a fresh lens to our work,” Jacob shared. “It helped our organizers redefine patriotism and deepen their sense of shared civic belonging.” The curriculum’s tools — like the Starburst Exercise and Defining America gallery walk — quickly became core to Rhizome’s orientation and chapter meetings. Rhizome used these practices not only for skill-building, but also to reshape the internal culture of their decentralized network. They’ve begun integrating shared civic language into their twice-yearly orientations, using the values of power, responsibility, and imagination to anchor everything from facilitation to organizing campaigns. “The language and tools are now just part of the water,” Jacob said.
As a transformational program
Sam Delap, a dedicated educator in North Carolina, recently led her first solo facilitation of this program — and walked away moved by the impact it had on her students. “It was hard,” she laughed, “You guys make it look very easy.” But the outcomes spoke for themselves. Sam created a space where a truly diverse group of students could connect across difference and dig deep into topics like social justice and power. One standout moment came from J Kwon, a wheelchair user with CP, who told the group: “This is the only leadership experience I’ve been a part of where I felt like I could participate in everything. So thank you for that.” Another student, Cypher, shared his journey to becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen, initially feeling detached but ultimately transformed by the experience. His emotional reflection left many in tears: “Now I feel proud to be a citizen. I feel connected.” Sam is now embedding this program across her Civic Impact Fellows initiative and other programming — expanding the reach of its core practices. This program created a space where every student — regardless of ability, background, or prior experience — felt seen, empowered, and part of something bigger.
Experience our educator training
We know that transformational learning happens best with others. That’s why we’ve designed a two-and-a-half day experiential training program that provides an enriching deep dive into this work yourself — and we travel to you! Citizen University brings our Power + Character training to groups of peers who want to practice the moral discernment, civic skill building, and critical thinking that you’ll be leading your students through.
We know how much heart educators pour into your work — that’s why you deserve to experience the same sort of transformative activities that spark reflection and recommitment you hope to inspire in your students.
Sound exciting? Share the Power + Character training information with your director or administrators.