Maryland Civic Education & Engagement Leadership Summit

As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Maryland educators, students, and community partners are coming together to explore what our founding ideals mean in practice today.

The 2026 Maryland Civic Education & Engagement Leadership Summit centers the Declaration as a living civic text, one that challenges each generation to strengthen democracy through knowledge, skills, service, and shared responsibility.

This full-day Summit is designed especially for teachers, school leaders, and civic practitioners, students, parents, and community members. Participants will engage in interactive conversations, practical workshops, student-led showcases, and meaningful networking across schools, organizations, and communities.

You can expect:

• Interactive workshops on civics, history, media literacy, and service learning
• A student Civics & Service Slam and Showcase highlighting youth leadership
• Space to connect with community organizations and partners
• Practical ideas you can bring back to classrooms, schools, and communities

• Civics & Democratic Skills: civil discourse, media literacy, rights and responsibilities, advocacy, and public problem-solving
• History & Founding Ideals: the Declaration of Independence in action, primary sources, Maryland’s civic story
• Service & Community Engagement: service-learning, youth leadership, environmental and community-rooted civic action

Whether you are a classroom teacher, student leader, nonprofit partner, parent, or community member, this Summit offers a shared space to learn together and recommit to the work of democracy.

Questions about registration, accessibility, or participation options?
Email

Info: Check in, grab coffee, and connect with educators, students, and community partners from across Maryland.

Info: A shared welcome that sets the tone for the day, grounding us in the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the work ahead.

Info: An engaging conversation on truth, trust, media, and democracy, connecting founding principles to the realities young people and educators face today.

Info: Student voices take the stage to share powerful stories of civic action, service, and leadership.

Info: Interactive sessions focused on civics, history, media literacy, service-learning, and democratic skills. Designed to be practical, engaging, and immediately useful. (Choose One)

Info: Explore student-led civic projects and connect with community organizations during this lively showcase and tabling session.

Info: Hands-on sessions focused on applying civic learning through advocacy, discussion of contentious issues, service-learning design, and partnership-building.

Info: A reflective and energizing close featuring student, educator, and community perspectives, small-group conversation, and a shared commitment to carrying civic values forward.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Maryland Civic Education Coalition