American Civic Explorers
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of America, St. Edward’s University (Austin, Texas) is launching the American Civic Explorers (ACE) program.
St. Edward’s University will host both a summer camp and an online RPG-style simulation, in partnership with the Greater Austin YMCA Youth and Government program. It is free to join. Sign up to learn more and discover how you can participate.
Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the ACE challenges middle and high school participants to earn badges and advance in rank through engaging civic experiences and eligibility for a significant scholarship at St. Edward’s University. Under ACE, St. Edward’s University will host both a summer camp and an online RPG-style simulation. The ACE program is also proud to partner with the Greater Austin YMCA Youth and Government program. It is free to join. Sign up to learn more and discover how you can participate.
Earn badges. Unlock ranks. Build your civic portfolio.
Join the pilot and receive your ACE badge.Sign up here to learn more about the new American Civic Explorers program.
Takes about a minute. No experience needed.
Team-based • 30–45 min • Role-based
About the St. Edward’s University pilot
American Civic Explorers is a grant-funded civics leadership program led by St. Edward’s University. The pilot celebrates America’s 250th and invites students to practice civic decision-making and community leadership.
Summer 2026 at St. Edward’s University, in partnership with the Greater Austin YMCA.
Choose a role and lead a civic challenge.
Each role brings unique responsibilities and tools. Your team’s strategy shapes the outcome.
Executive Branch
Set the agenda and balance tough national tradeoffs.
- Set the agenda
- Respond to crises
- Negotiate big deals
Congress
Build coalitions and pass the laws that shape the country.
- Draft bills
- Count votes
- Hold hearings
Media
Ask sharp questions and shape the public story.
- Investigate claims
- Publish headlines
- Track public trust
Advocates & Interest Groups
Advance priorities and influence the policy debate.
- Organize allies
- Pitch solutions
- Shift public opinion
What you’ll learn in the program.
ACE Sim blends civic knowledge, hands-on skills, and leadership habits you can use anywhere.
Civic knowledge
Understand how power moves in a constitutional system.
- Branches, checks, and balances in action.
- Civil liberties and real-world tradeoffs.
- How war powers and crises test leadership.
Civic skills
Practice the skills leaders use every day.
- Negotiation and coalition-building.
- Using data to make policy choices.
- Communicating across disagreements.
Civic dispositions
Build the habits of responsible citizens.
- Confidence to speak up and lead.
- Respect for multiple viewpoints.
- Responsibility for community outcomes.
Civic Initiative
Coalition Builder
Community Advocate
Constitutional RangerEarn your first badge instantly when you sign up.
Track progress and build a civic portfolio that shows your growth over time.
Each session celebrates teamwork, strategy, and civic leadership. A scouting-inspired badge-and-rank system guides you through civic mastery—and builds your portfolio.
Civic Initiative
Launch your first policy proposal and explain the tradeoffs.
Coalition Builder
Work across roles to secure a workable compromise.
Community Advocate
Use evidence and feedback to improve a policy outcome.
- 1ExplorerEarn your first badge by completing a civic challenge with your team.
- 2StrategistPractice democratic skills: negotiate, compromise, and deliver a workable plan.
- 3Civic CaptainLead with civic responsibility—then reflect on outcomes and what you’d improve.
Questions students ask first.
Do I need experience in government or debate?+
No experience needed. ACE is built for beginners and gives you clear prompts and support.
Is ACE political or partisan?+
ACE Sim is nonpartisan by design. You’ll practice hearing and respecting different viewpoints.
Who can join?+
Middle and high school students—especially students in youth leadership programs, summer camps, and school or community groups.
Join American Civic Explorers and play ACE Sim.
Your choices shape the story. It’s fast, team-based, and designed for young leaders.
Finish strong
You’ll earn badges, unlock ranks, and build a portfolio that shows your civic skills.
Tap the button to start or continue your signup.
Understanding Your Rights: Balancing Freedom and Safety
The Bill of Rights protects Americans' freedoms, like free speech and religion. These are called civil liberties. Sometimes, the government must balance these freedoms with public safety. This means deciding when it's okay to limit rights to protect everyone. The rule of law means that everyone, including the government, must follow the same laws and legal processes when making these decisions. Finding the right balance between individual freedom and collective security is an ongoing challenge.
- The Bill of Rights protects your freedoms.
- The government must balance your rights with public safety.
Understanding how to weigh different sides of an issue helps you create policies and explain the reasons behind your choices.
Can you think of a time when individual freedoms and public safety might conflict? How would you balance them?