Philadelphia high school students and teachers can now apply for the Young Philadelphians’ Continental Congress (YPhCC) — a new American history and civics program that offers $500 scholarships for students and $1,000 stipends plus professional development credits for teachers.
The initiative is a partnership between the School District of Philadelphia and Carpenters’ Hall, the historic site of the nation’s First Continental Congress in 1774.
The program will select 20–25 student-teacher teams — each team made up of one high school student and one teacher from the same school — to serve as “delegates.”
Delegates will meet on five Saturdays between January and April 2026 at Carpenters’ Hall and several nearby historic sites, including the Museum of the American Revolution, the National Constitution Center, the National Liberty Museum, and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Meals and transportation will be provided at no cost.
“The Young Philadelphians’ Continental Congress will strengthen students’ understanding of democracy, connect history to civic action, and support the School District of Philadelphia’s goals for history and social studies,” said Michael Norris, Executive Director of Carpenters’ Hall. “As residents of the city where the United States was born, young Philadelphians are uniquely positioned to use the lessons of history to shape their future."
Eligible applicants include high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, along with history, civics, or social studies teachers from Philadelphia’s neighborhood, citywide, special-admission, and public charter schools. Organizers aim to include at least one team from each City Council district. Applications are open now through Dec. 5, and selected participants will be notified in early 2026.
The YPhCC expands upon the national Young People’s Continental Congress (YPCC), a weeklong program that has brought students and teachers from across the country to Philadelphia to explore civic engagement and history. While the national YPCC will return for its final year in July 2026 as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations, the local YPhCC is intended to continue beyond the Semiquincentennial.
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, who announced the initiative during a recent City Council meeting, said the program will allow “dozens of students and teachers right here in our city to gather, learn, and be inspired.”
Applications are open now through Dec. 5. For more information or to apply, visit carpentershall.org
