Students in Hempfield Area High School’s Project 18 class take a special trip each year to Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania. The purpose of the trip is to help students see how the government works in real life, not just in a classroom.
Project 18 is a civics class that teaches teens about their rights and responsibilities as future voters. Since most students are close to turning eighteen, this class helps them understand why being involved in government is important. Visiting Harrisburg shows them where state laws are made and how leaders make decisions for the people who live in Pennsylvania.
During the trip, students tour the State Capitol building. They get to see the House and Senate rooms where lawmakers discuss and vote on new laws. Sometimes, students even get to watch meetings that are happening while they are there. This helps them realize that the government is active every day, and the choices made in Harrisburg can affect their schools, roads, and communities back home.
The trip may also include stops at museums or historic places around the city. These visits help students learn more about Pennsylvania’s history and how the state has grown and changed over time. Students also stop at a minor league baseball game to relax and just enjoy classmates and have a good time.
When students return to school, they often feel more connected to what they learned in Project 18. Instead of seeing government as something far away, they now understand that they are part of it. One day soon, they will be the ones voting and making their voices heard.
For many students, the Harrisburg trip is a highlight of Project 18. It reminds them that being involved in government matters, and that young people can make a difference.
