ABOUT WWF

• Mission
• History
• Affinity Travel and Custom Group Travel
• Access-We Know Washington
• Recent Speakers
• Recent Site Visits
• Some of our Alumni Schools
• Customization and Flexibility
• Experience and Reputation
• Logistics and Support
• Marketing and Communications
• Our Programs and Seminars
• Recognition

Mission
To provide valuable experiential learning opportunities by creating unique study tours and seminars that challenge, empower and prepare young global citizens to be informed and dynamic future leaders.

History
Since 1967, the Washington Workshops Foundation has provided experience-based educational travel programs to highly motivated, academically prepared, and inquisitive people from across the United States and around the world.  The majority of our programs have brought students and educators to Washington, D.C. for a more comprehensive understanding of leadership, civic education, the federal government, U.S. politics, American history, and global affairs.  Programs available include simulations of the U.S. Congress, internships, academically themed seminars, professional development, and person-to-person exchange.  Private, nonprofit, and nonpartisan, the Workshops Foundation is based in Washington, D.C., a location that allows for our close ties with the officials and organizations capable of making educational experiences in the Capital and around the nation focused and unique.

Affinity Travel and Custom Group Travel
In recent years, our operation has shifted to also provide even more specifically customized travel programs to Washington, D.C., around the country, and around the world.  With the ability to run bilingual programs in both English and Spanish, we create specialized programs that suit the size, schedule, focus, curriculum, and interests of any type of group.  Some recent partners have included the following:
 

• The National Society of Colonial Dames of America
• The Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation (CICF)
• The World Bank Study Tour Programs
• Civic education organizations such as “We the People”
• Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) focused schools (Metro: Columbus, OH)
• Religious education based schools
• International schools such as Colegio Americano de Saltillo, The American School of Tampico,  The American School of Guatemala and the American International School, Abuja, Nigeria
• International Delegations such as Beijing Normal University, Department of Psychology (proposed and awarded)

KEY CAPABILITIES AND ATTRIBUTES

Access - We Know Washington
Maneuvering the Washington, D.C. political, private, social, and media scenes takes relationships, creativity, and understanding.  More than museums and memorials, Washington, D.C. is a vital and culturally rich city full of press outlets, educational institutions, foreign embassies, NGOs and engaging speakers.  Throughout our history, we’ve worked tirelessly to build connections to many of these individuals and organizations and continue building new relationships today.  As a result we hold access to the important curricular components – beyond the standard tour - that give our travelers a personal look behind the scenes of Washington, D.C.

• Ms. Rita Peters – The United Day School, Laredo, Texas
• Mrs. Marlene Ruiz - Academia del Perpetuo Socorro, San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Mr. Pete Solwold – Manistee Catholic School, Manistee, Michigan
• Mrs. Karen Breen – Notre Dame School, Michigan City, Indiana
• Mr. Rick Pelkie – The St John Vianney School, Spokane, Washington
• Mrs. Carole Mason – The Eagle School, Madison, Wisconsin

Customization and Flexibility
As a small organization, we focus on creating educational travel opportunities tailored to each of our partners.  To achieve this customization, we focus on each group’s unique objectives while building each program through a long process of consultation and collaboration.  In the end, our travelers are as much architects of their experience as we are. 

We are honored that our repeat partners praise us as the most flexible and creative travel provider in Washington, D.C.   We also work closely with our partners in post-program evaluation.  We do so to make sure clients’ needs and expectations continue to be met and that our programs remain original and true to the Foundation’s mission and standard of quality.

Experience and Reputation
We are proud of our long history (over 40 years) of providing unique educational travel programs in Washington, D.C.  Our programs were among the first of this type and we continue to remain an innovator in the industry.  Washington Workshops Seminar participants have also gone on to many of America’s top universities and successful careers in medicine, law, journalism, and politics – including four elected members of the United States Congress.  We attribute this success to the dedication and passion of our staff and its decades of experience in education and travel.

Logistics and Support
Our network and working knowledge of area hotels, conference centers, and university residence facilities let us match the housing needs of any visiting group.  We also work with several local motor coach companies to provide transportation for groups of all sizes and standards.  Our in-field staff – all with impressive and advanced educational backgrounds – consists of our own trained program administrators who serve as interpreters, facilitators, and program managers.  In addition and upon request, we have access to independent licensed tour guides from The Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington, D.C.  

Marketing and Communication
We are fully aware of our position in the very competitive educational travel industry.  We understand traditional marketing such as direct mail marketing, data marketing, and lead-generated marketing.  However, we are also aware of the ever-changing market; we have recently transitioned away from traditional marketing strategies to embrace more innovative and contemporary forms of marketing, such as cross-generational marketing, e-marketing, word-of-mouth (mouse) marketing, strategic partnerships, and all the social networking outlets that stress the importance of customer community and retention. 

• Junior High Middle School Seminar – Our seminar for Junior High Middle School students
• The Congressional Seminar – Our cornerstone program for High School Students since 1967
• The International Conflict Seminar – High School level seminar exploring peaceful resolutions to international conflicts through case study, role play, site visits, and engaging academic and professional speakers
• The Washington Intern Experience – Internships in Washington, DC for High School Students
• Global Awareness Seminars – International study tours for High School and Junior High Students
• Customized Seminars – Custom Built programs to suit the specific interests and needs of our guests

Recognition
The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed seminars of the Washington Workshops Foundation on the Advisory List of National Contests and Activities for 2009-2010. The Foundation is also recognized by the National Association of Independent Schools, The National Council for the Social Studies and the Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. Washington Workshops is the proud multiple recipient of the Americanism Award of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge for "...outstanding achievement in bringing about a better understanding of the American way of life.”

We hope to welcome you to another fine season in our nation's capital!