Who?

High School Social Studies, History & Civics Teachers & High School Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors may apply!

What?

Next year Carpenters’ Hall will leverage its 2024 & 2025 national Young People’s Continental Congress with the launch of a complimentary Young Philadelphians’ Continental Congress leading into the Semiquincentennial. The Young Philadelphians’ Continental Congress (YPCC) will strengthen the knowledge and power of history, increase understanding of our democracy, and galvanize civic action for high school students and teachers. The Young Philadelphians’ Continental Congress will strategically support the School District of Philadelphia’s goals for high school students in history, civics, and social studies. High school students will engage in cross-city dialogue among their peers and will develop a joint Declaration of Aspirations. Teachers will benefit from this unique multi-month professional development and networking opportunity, while building relationships with Philadelphia’s key historic sites, museums and archives. 

In the spirit of the First Continental Congress, the 2025 delegates co-authored their own “Declaration of Aspirations.” Enjoy seeing and hearing this Declaration in their own words in this short video. And here is a two-minute news clip from ABC that has been running across the country about the 2025 Congress! 

Where?

The delegates will convene inside Carpenters' Hall and neighboring institutions such as the Museum of the American Revolution, the National Constitution Center, and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

When?

Delegates will convene on five Saturdays from 9:30am until 3pm. The session will include welcome snack and networking time, a lecture, lunch, tour, and afternoon tour with additional educational programming. The five Saturdays are January 24th, February 7th, February 28th, April 11th, and April 25th.

Why?

Teachers will benefit from this unique multi-month professional development and networking opportunity, while building relationships with Philadelphia’s key historic sites, museums and archives. High school students will engage in cross-city dialogue among their peers and will develop a joint Declaration of Aspirations. YPCC can create a lasting impact for our high school students and teachers that will provide a deep appreciation of Philadelphia’s rich heritage and history, while launching their journey into a lifetime of civic engagement. As residents of the city where the United States was born, young Philadelphians are uniquely positioned to use the lessons of history to inform and fuel their active participation as American citizens. As Benjamin Franklin stated,  "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn."