About this Event
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.
A Day to Learn, Connect, and Act
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
Summit Focus Areas
- 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, Marylandโs 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?
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Agenda
๐: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Arrival & Networking
Info: Check in, grab coffee, and connect with educators, students, and community partners from across Maryland.
๐: 09:00 AM - 09:20 AM
Opening Session: The Preamble
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.
๐: 09:20 AM - 09:50 AM
Keynote Panel: Truth & Trust in Media
Info: An engaging conversation on truth, trust, media, and democracy, connecting founding principles to the realities young people and educators face today.
๐: 09:50 AM - 10:10 AM
Civics & Service Slam
Info: Student voices take the stage to share powerful stories of civic action, service, and leadership.
๐: 10:25 AM - 11:15 AM
Learn & Explore: Concurrent Breakout Workshops
Info: Interactive sessions focused on civics, history, media literacy, service-learning, and democratic skills. Designed to be practical, engaging, and immediately useful. (Choose One)
๐: 11:25 AM - 12:40 PM
Student Showcase
Info: Explore student-led civic projects and connect with community organizations during this lively showcase and tabling session.
๐: 01:00 PM - 01:50 PM
Skills to Action: Concurrent Practical Workshops
Info: Hands-on sessions focused on applying civic learning through advocacy, discussion of contentious issues, service-learning design, and partnership-building.
๐: 02:05 PM - 03:00 PM
Closing Session: โOur Social Contractโ
Info: A reflective and energizing close featuring student, educator, and community perspectives, small-group conversation, and a shared commitment to carrying civic values forward.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
CCBC Dundalk, 7200 Sollers Point Road, Baltimore, United States
USD 0.00 to USD 39.19











