 |
    |
MHS Washington DC Trip
|
 |
I've added a facebook group for the trip to allow posting of trip updates, photos and perhaps a few videos. I would encourage students to become members and we'll see how the posting will go. I think posting to the group wall will work better than twitter updates, because most or you have more experience with facebook. Let's experiment prior to loading up the bus and taking off! LINK to DC Facebook. Or simply type in this address: groups.to/mohawksdctrip. |
New!! Trip Medical Release & Permission Form
New!! "Tour Guide" Assignment Page
New!! Current Trip Itinerary: You'll want to check this out
Juniors and Seniors at Morrisonville High School were invited to participate in an educational trip to Washington DC during the last week of February. Twenty-three students have signed on for the trip. The trip was organized to provide a low-cost opportunity for MHS students to visit and learn from our National Leaders, and the culture and history of our Nation's Capitol.
Link to DC Like A Local Blog: This is a great blog that delivers insights for DC visits.
General Details:
Original Trip Flyer & Sign-Up
A school bus will be utilized for the trip to minimize transportation costs. Bob Montgomery and Tom Justison have volunteered to drive and chaperone the trip. Individual transportation cost for the students will be $30.
The scheduled departure time will be 7:30 PM Tuesday, February 23rd, following the Mohawks first round game IHSA Regional tournament at Pawnee. We will drive overnight and expect to begin the experience on Wednesday early afternoon. We will utilize the District's newest bus and students will have one seat to accomodate themselves and all their articles for the 14 hour drive.
I have created a Google Map with the locations we will visit marked, most have comments. This will give you a good lay-out of the visit. DC has great detail images so click on the satellite view. LINK to Map
View Morrisonville Washington DC Trip in a larger map
The trip will provide 4 full days in DC (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday) and return is scheduled following activities on Saturday. We will make an overnight drive back to Morrisonville on Saturday with an early afternoon arrival at home in the early afternoon. Students on the trip understand it will be somewhat demanding, but agree to be on time for school the following Monday as a condition of participation.
The group will be staying at the Sheraton National Hotel for 3 nights, with each student paying at least $75 (this may be higher depending on room arrangements). Link to Sheraton National.
It is likely the group will utilize the Metro Transportation System. Our weeklong unlimited pass will cost $26.40. This will permit us to travel into and out of DC without fighting parking issues. MAP LINK
We will likely not make use of any other transportation tickets, but the walk into the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington is fairly long. The tourmobile is the only way to avoid the walk. This might be an option for some students. LINK to Tourmobile
The Iternary is still being worked out but it includes a Thursday visit to the offices of Senator Dick Durbin for his constituent coffee and a visit to Representative John Shimkus that morning. The group will get a VIP Capitol Tour and visit the galleries of both the House and Senate. Students are reminded that nearly everything is prohibited inside the Capitol and Galleries. Don't bring ANY extra items..link to what you can't bring!
Other areas that are to be included in the trip:
- Visit the Supreme Court building for tour and lecture Link To Visitor Information
- Oral Arguments Scheduled for February 24th: LINK To Court Calendar & Cases
- 10 AM Carr vs United States
- 11 AM United States vs Marcus
- Tour and possible research at the Library of Congress LINK
- The National Archives LINK Link To Vaults
- Evening tours of the major DC monuments including Washingon, Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt, WWII, Vietnam, Korea and Iwo Jima. National Park Parks Mall Info
- Link to Vietnam Memorial
- Trip to Arlington National Cemetary LINK Link To Google Tour Map
- Holocaust Museum LINK
- Smithsonia Museums including the & the Smithsonians (Air & Space, Natural History, and American History) LINK Ben Stiller Intro Video (excellent!)
- White House (no tour...just drive by/walk around) LINK
- Bureau of Engraving & Printing (Where they print bills) LINK
- Pentagon 9/11 Memorial MAP
Map of National Mall & Monuments
Other possible locations:
- Newseum
- National Cathedral: Will visit Friday afternoon
- National Zoo: Likely will say "hi" tothe Pandas on Friday
- National Postal Museum/Union Station
Links to additional visitor information:
- Smithsonian Visit Planning: Interactive maps of the musuem & planning tips
- Trolley Tours: While we won't be using the trolley, this link has a good overview of DC spots by location
- DC Cultural Tourism: Site with links to sites throughout DC
- Washington DC: Site with resources to plan a DC visit
- DC By Foot: Guides services site, provide some free (tip the guide) tours of DC
Let's Get Something To Eat!!
Ben's Chili Bowl: Evening Meal on Thursday Metro day.
2 Amys Pizza: Friday Lunch during Cathedral visit
Some Dining Choices!
View Washington DC Food in a larger map