Close Search Menu

Let Us Help

How to Make the Most of Summer at CatholicU

Students walking on the mall in Washington D.C.
Students can take part in Memorial Day activities at the U.S. Capitol. (Catholic University/Denny Henry)

By Matt Palmer

Opportunities abound during the summer at The Catholic University of America. Students can engage with on and off-campus activities that connect them with one-of-a-kind experiences in the nation’s capital. Here’s a guide to summer success.

Mark Memorial Day: The University will be closed Monday, May 29 to mark the holiday. Major local activities include:

St. Vincent's Chapel
St. Vincent's Chapel is home to Sunday Mass on campus this summer. (Catholic University/Patrick G. Ryan)

Worship opportunities: The Mass schedule on campus includes:

Get extra credit: Most summer courses last just 5 or 6 weeks to earn credits and many have a virtual learning option. Learn more about summer courses at the University.

Catholic university students singing the national anthem at the nationals game
Catholic University students have sung the national anthem at Washington Nationals games through the years. (Catholic University/ Amanda Bowen)

A night at the pitch or park: The Nationals are in a rebuilding phase four years after winning the World Series. The Nationals offer good seats and student discount tickets for $8. The D.C. United of the Major League Soccer and the Washington Spirit of the Women’s Soccer League plays at Audi Field. The United offers student rush tickets.

Students posing with their geodesic dome
Students have been working with the Smithsonian on an exciting project. (Catholic University/Patrick G. Ryan)

Smithsonian adventures: A University partnership with the Smithsonian Institution will result in students reconstructing North America’s first full-scale geodesic dome before visitors to the National Museum of American History’s Flag Hall in July. All Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo have free admission, with some requiring pre-registration for entry times.

Serve others:  The Cardinal Cupboard serves as the University’s food pantry and provides nonperishable food items to any member of the University community that is experiencing food insecurity. It is open during the summer on Mondays and Thursdays from 12 to 3 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m.

Caitlin Wilson, AmeriCorps VISTA member in the Office of Campus Ministry, said, "Even though the traditional school year is over during the summer, food insecurity on our campus definitely does not take a break."

Dining room worker handing someone a desert
Garvey Hall is the prime location for dining during the summer. (Catholic University/Patrick G. Ryan)

Dine on campus: Garvey Hall is open during the summer. Visit DineonCampus.com/Catholic for updates on hours of operation. The Law School Market is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Topics

Related News

  • drawing of President Kilpatrick's headshot

    President's Note: True North

    In 1941, our alumnus Venerable Fulton J. Sheen published A Declaration of Dependence. With prophetic clarity, Sheen’s Declaration helps us see that the founders’ claims about the “self-evident” fact that we have all been created by God rests upon a tradition that preceded them by 18 centuries. This role is one our Church has continuously played in the American drama.

  • male graduates smile as they process into the commencement ceremony

    Best-of 2026 Commencement Week: Photo Round-up

    Commencement weekend at The Catholic University of America was a festive affair! Here are some highlights by way of visual round-up...

  • students with red bins, smiling and assisting with moving into dorms

    Class of 2026, Then and Now: Moving in to Moving on

    We got to know the Class of 2026 on the very first day they moved on campus to their dorm. Four years later, we caught up with the same students ahead of graduation to see what changed, what stayed the same, and what’s next!