Published on Show Me Mizzou Dec. 17, 2025
Five days. That’s all it takes for curious incoming high school juniors and seniors at Mizzou’s Constitutional Democracy Academy (CDA), part of the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy, to become engaged in all things political thought, political history and government.
Underwritten by advisory board member Chuck Wall, the program runs twice during the summer and offers students the opportunity to learn about everything from the Federalist Papers to the use of religion in the Constitution, for just $100.
“These are students who love the material,’” says CDA director Rudy Hernandez. “They’re thinking, ‘I want to be a political science major. I want to be a history major.’ Maybe they want to be a congressional staffer or run for Congress.”
Beyond the classes, Hernandez likens the experience to camp — minus the s’mores. Twenty students per session reside on campus, tour various museums in the state, and enjoy a pizza and movie night. Thematic choices such as Legally Blonde and National Treasure are on the docket, of course. “Overall, it’s an amazing opportunity,” Hernandez says.
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