Is it safe to take students to Washington, D.C. this year?
Headlines about government shutdowns and National Guard deployments are pretty stressful, and teachers and administrators keep asking us the same question: Is it safe to take a school group to Washington, D.C. this year?
The short answer: Yes. Washington, D.C. remains as safe for student groups as in past years. Our Global Works’ guides, partners, and friends on the ground describe the atmosphere as calm and routine. While the presence of National Guard troops has made national news, they are not concentrated in tourist areas, and tours of the Mall and Capitol Hill continue daily.
The real complication isn’t safety — it’s the government shutdown, which affects access to some federally run sites.
What the Shutdown Changes
A shutdown doesn’t close the city. Restaurants, hotels, local museums, and most attractions remain open. What’s limited are sites funded and staffed directly by federal agencies:
- Smithsonian Museums and the National Zoo
- Capitol and White House tours
- Some national park facilities and visitor centers
For groups that rely heavily on these, adjustments are needed. But for itineraries with broader focus — civic engagement, advocacy, service, and cultural history — the impact is modest.
A Real Itinerary in Practice
Take our Washington, D.C. History & Local Advocacy program as an example. This trip centers on civil rights, civic leadership, and advocacy skills, and most of the itinerary is unaffected by a shutdown. Some activities include:
- The highlight is the National Museum of African American History and Culture. If the Smithsonian is closed, groups pivot to walking tours honoring Black history or dialogues with local activists who are addressing issues like gentrification and representation today.
- A Capitol visit and meetings with staffers. If the Capitol is closed, the lobbying workshop continues, and students draft letters to their representatives, practicing advocacy in real time.
- Visits like the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream and reflection activities are not impacted at all.
In other words, the mission of the trip — helping students see democracy, history, and social change in action — continues with only slight adjustments.
Alternatives Within D.C.
When federal sites are unavailable, the city still has a wealth of privately run, interactive options:
- International Spy Museum – student-friendly and engaging
- Planet Word Museum – language, media, and communication in hands-on exhibits
- National Geographic Museum – global storytelling, science, and culture
- O Museum in the Mansion – scavenger hunt with hidden doors, always a favorite
- Local walking tours – led by D.C. guides, focused on civil rights, immigrant history, and civic advocacy
These substitutions not only fill gaps but often provide more interactive, student-centered learning than a self-guided museum tour.
Balancing Perception and Reality
From a safety standpoint, D.C. remains as secure as ever. But perception matters. Parents hearing about “shutdowns” or “troops in D.C.” may feel anxious, even if the risks are minimal. In practice, that perception can shape school decisions as much as the facts.
For schools that are already booked, rest assured that D.C. programs can and do run smoothly with contingency plans. For those still early in planning, it may be worth considering alternatives if parent confidence feels low.
Alternatives Beyond D.C.
Other destinations can provide equally powerful, and sometimes less stressful, experiences:
- Puerto Rico – no passport required; life changing service that features home building, culture, history, and opportunities for community engagement
- New Orleans – rich in music, resilience, and civil rights history
- The American South – Atlanta, Montgomery, and Birmingham for immersive civil rights and advocacy programs
Government shutdowns come and go, but student travel to Washington, D.C. remains secure, meaningful, and deeply relevant. The main impact is swapping a few federal sites for equally engaging alternatives.
