Civics/Government
Help your child to become an active citizen by incorporating civics education into your homeschooling plan. Learn about the federal and Florida government, how to contact your legislators, how government works, and more.
Things to See & Do in Florida
Air Force Armament Museum
Experience the aviation warfare armament from the early days of World War I right through to today's high tech planes and bombs. Inside, you'll find an extensive collection of weaponry and interactive displays that will amaze and intrigue. Outside displays include vintage military aircraft including the fastest plane ever built, the SR-71 Blackbird. Admission is free and all are welcome. Located at Eglin Air Force Base in northwest Florida.
Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park and Cultural Center
Consists of the Indian Temple Mound Museum, Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum, and the Garnier Post Office Museum. Together these three museums form a cultural center which presents the history of the Fort Walton Beach area from prehistoric times, some 12,000 years ago, the first school in 1912, and through the close of the post office in the 1950s. It is the purpose of these museums to preserve and hold their collections in trust for humankind. The Museum Division uses its collection to educate, for exhibit, research and advanced study. The museums host over 13,000 visitors annually from all 50 states and many foreign countries. An additional 7,500 school and civic organization members receive educational programs.
Camp Gordon Johnston Museum
Located in Carrabelle, Florida, the museum's role is to preserve the heritage of the men who trained at the this camp during WW II. Carrabelle was the focal point of social life around the camp when it was open during WW II, and today continues its role as the preserver of the amphibious soldier's heritage. Camp Gordon Johnston opened in 1942 for the sole purpose of training amphibious soldiers and their support groups, this camp trained a quarter of a million men, closing in June of 1946.
Florida Capitol Building
Florida's new Capitol building has a rich ancestry, which began in 1824 with the establishment of Tallahassee as the new capitol city. As Florida's population has continued to grow, so has its need for government services. The New Capitol symbolizes the growth and development of Florida. The Capitol Complex, located in downtown Tallahassee, provides a dignified and serviceable headquarters for state government. The Capitol is the twenty-two story building. It is home to Florida's Executive and Legislative branches. Others building at the Capitol Complex include the two four story office buildings for the House of Representatives and Senate as well as the Historic Capitol and Knott Building. The Capitol is located in downtown Tallahassee at the intersection of Apalachee Parkway and Monroe Street. The Capitol is open to the public Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed weekends and holidays.
Florida Historic Capitol Museum
The Florida Historic Capitol Museum serves to illuminate the past, present, and future connection between the people of Florida and their political institutions through programs of civic education, historic interpretation, and preservation. The restoration of The Old Capitol (1978—1982) was conducted under the supervision of the Department of General Services in conjunction with the Department of State. This intensive project of historical and archaeological investigation makes Florida’s former capitol one of the most thoroughly documented restoration projects in the nation. The Florida Legislative Research Center is located on the ground floor of the Historic Capitol. Its mission is to collect, preserve and make available for research significant materials connected with Florida's legislative history. It has a substantial collection of oral histories and is at present organizing an archive of important papers, photographs and related materials.
Activities & Experiments
TeenPact Leadership Schools
TeenPact is a dynamic, hands-on leadership school for Christian students. Their mission is to train youth to understand the political process, value their liberty, defend their Christian faith and engage the culture at a time in their lives when, typically, they do not care about such things. The core program consists of the State Classes offered around the country.
H.E.A.R.T.S. - Homeschoolers: Educating, Assisting, & Reaching-out Through Service
H.E.A.R.T.S.' goal is to join together a diverse and inclusive group of homeschoolers in community service projects – to increase public awareness, understanding, and acceptance of homeschoolers and homeschooling through combined service, outreach, and public relations efforts.
How to Create a Midde School/High School Political Science Club
Tips for creating a political science club.
Teaching Tips & Ideas
TeenPact
TeenPact is a comprehensive leadership experience that challenges students to grow both personally and spiritually. During TeenPact, students meet and interact with other Christian young people and leaders from across their state. The first step in the TeenPact Leadership School is the State Capitol Four-Day Class for ages 13-18. Here students learn about the political process and the basics of state government. The students then move onto a behind the scenes look at how their state government works. Workshops focus on the political process, parliamentary procedure, public speaking, and the bill-to-law legislative process.
H.E.A.R.T.S. - Homeschoolers: Educating, Assisting, & Reaching-out Through Service
H.E.A.R.T.S.' goal is to join together a diverse and inclusive group of homeschoolers in community service projects – to increase public awareness, understanding, and acceptance of homeschoolers and homeschooling through combined service, outreach, and public relations efforts.
Online Resources
Online Sunshine for Kids
Learn all about Florida state government with this interactive website. You'll find information about the state symbols, fun facts, your legislature, capital history, and more. Take a tour of the capitol, play games, and solve puzzles.
Online Sunshine
This is the official site for the Florida state legislature. Includes information on the Senate and House. You'll also find links to statutes, the state Constitution, and the laws of Florida. The Information Center offers documents describing how laws are made, the committee process, and much more.
Florida House of Representatives
The official site of the Florida House of Representatives. You'll find information about the current session, along with a daily schedule and links that allow you to contact your representative.
Florida Senate
The official site of the Florida State Senate. You'll find links to the current session and committee activity. You can also contact your senator.
Looking for Another State?
Featured Resources

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