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Washington, D.C.

Spies, Lies & Intelligence: The World of International Espionage

Program No. 16126RJ

Discover a world of espionage and learn about spy history and 21st-century intelligence threats as you explore the nation’s capital and its museums with intelligence experts.

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Itinerary

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Duration

5 days

4 nights

What's Included

10 meals ( 4B, 3L, 3D )

7 expert-led lectures

4 expert-led field trips

An experienced Group Leader

4 nights of accommodations

Taxes and customary gratuity

Road Scholar Assurance Plan

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Day

Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner, Opening Lecture

Location: Washington, DC

Meals: D

Stay: Hyatt Place Washington DC/National Mall

Activity Note

Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your name-tag (sent previously).

Afternoon:

Program Registration: 3:00-5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Your program materials will be sent to you a few days before the program, digitally, through your roadscholar.org account. This includes your program itinerary, any related handouts, and restaurant/free time suggestions. Please plan to print them out and bring along to the program, utilize the hotel's business center to access them, or view them on your own personal electronic device. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner:

At the hotel.

Evening:

We will gather for an introduction to spying. We’ll learn first hand accounts of how intelligence is collected, analyzed, and implemented among the 18 agencies and organizations within the U.S. Intelligence Community. We’ll also hear about our lecturer's true encounters during their time in the intelligence world. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Day

National Cryptologic Museum, DC tour, Plausible Denial

Location: Washington, DC

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Hyatt Place Washington DC/National Mall

Activity Note

Getting on/off a motor coach; driving about 2 miles, about 10 minutes riding time. Walking and standing in the museum, Getting on/off motor coach during city tour, weather permitting.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

Start this morning off with a field trip to the National Cryptologic Museum, adjacent to the National Security Agency headquarters at Fort Meade in Maryland. The museum is the NSA’s principal public portal. Its thousands of artifacts preserve and illuminate the history of cryptology. With a museum member, we will learn how codes are “broken” and explore the museum's collection of Enigma Machines.

Lunch:

We will enjoy a catered lunch at the National Cryptologic Museum.

Afternoon:

Continue our stay at the National Cryptologic Museum with a visit from a National Security Agency officer. From the neighboring base, our speaker will provide an overview of the NSA and describe the roles and responsibilities for today's NSA officers. Our learning adventure will continue with a field trip by motorcoach to see some of the key highlights in our national capital. We’ll have an opportunity to visit some of the most famous monuments and sites and acclimate ourselves to the city.

Dinner:

At the hotel.

Evening:

After dinner, we'll learn about covert action from Professor Jon Wiant during his presentation, "Plausible Denial: The Role of Covert Action". Covert action is the contemporary term for what those in the world of espionage do to influence diplomatic, political, economic, and military outcomes without publicly acknowledging the role of the U.S. government. Professor Wiant will lead us through the history of covert action from early psychological warfare and propaganda activities, to the broad range of paramilitary capabilities that have supported resistance movements, and finally, to contemporary efforts to counter terrorism on a global scale.

Day

International Spy Museum, Free Time

Location: Washington, DC

Meals: B,L

Stay: Hyatt Place Washington DC/National Mall

Activity Note

Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 2 miles, about 10 minutes riding time. Walking and standing in museum.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

We’ll board a motorcoach and ride to L’Enfant Plaza for a self-directed exploration of the International Spy Museum. Opened in 2019, this is the only public museum in the U.S. dedicated solely to espionage and the only one in the world that provides a global perspective on the “invisible” profession. Its large and extensive collection includes amazing artifacts of international espionage, some never displayed publicly before. Many of these objects have been seen by the public for the first time. The museum seeks to present the history of espionage throughout history apolitically with accurate, unbiased information.

Lunch:

At leisure. You will be provided with a gift card for your lunch before you head out for your day of exploring our nation's capital.

Afternoon:

Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. Your Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.

Dinner:

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. Your Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

CIA & Congress, Spying in DC, Lafayette Sq, Farewell Dinner

Location: Washington, DC

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Hyatt Place Washington DC/National Mall

Activity Note

Getting on/off a motorcoach; 2 1/2 - 3 hours riding time throughout the day. Walking up to 1 mile, standing up an hour at a time; paved walkways and sidewalks; park benches available.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

We will hear from a former CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) “spy” on how spying in America has changed in the years since September 11, 2001. In the wake of 9/11, the U.S. has found that its borders are porous and terrorist danger can strike at home. If we must now spy on ourselves, how much should we spy and who watches the watchers? Following a break, we will have a lecture on the relationship between the CIA and Congress, the best of “frenemies.” Since its creation in 1947, the CIA has had a long and often troubled relationship with Congress. Why will this never change and why should it not?

Lunch:

At the hotel.

Afternoon:

As important to James Bond as his tuxedo were the devilish devices he received from the gadget master, Q. Bond's expensive dress made him especially attractive to beautiful ladies, the gadgets kept him alive to enjoy their company. How different is the spy gear used by Bond from that of today’s spies? Bob Wallace, former director of the CIA’s Office of Technical Service (America’s Q) describes the evolution of spy technology from Revolutionary War secret inks to present day disinformation operations and how science and engineering continues to transform clandestine operations. Our learning adventure will continue with a field trip by motorcoach. Bob Wallace, author of the book “Spy Sites of Washington, DC” will join and lead our exploration. We’ll familiarize ourselves with what we’ve heard about in our lectures including significant spy events and their locations in the capital. Lafayette Square, neighboring the White House, is filled with secret history. From the 18th century patriots employing secret agents to a Presidential kidnapping plot, this seven-acre park has served many purposes throughout its history. We will explore the park and unravel some of its mysterious history.

Dinner:

At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

Cybersecurity, Program Concludes

Location: Washington, DC

Meals: B

Activity Note

Hotel check out is 12:00 PM

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

For our final lecture, we will hear from Dr. Scott White, Director of the Cybersecurity Program and Cyber Academy at George Washington University. We’ll gain a deeper understanding of what cybersecurity is and how to deal with cyber threats. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

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Please Note: This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.

Spies, Lies & Intelligence: The World of International Espionage

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Protecting the Environment

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