FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

REGISTRATION OPENS FOR 34th ANNUAL STUDENT TOUR TO WASHINGTON D.C. AND WILLIAMSBURG

Registration has begun for the annual Spring Vacation student tour to the nation’s capital.  The trip, which is open to area middle and high school students in grades 8 and above, has become an annual tradition and will celebrate its 35th year of operation in 2012.  The non-school activity is sponsored by local teachers and has involved nearly 14,000 students during the past three decades including a “second generation” of participants whose parents participated when they were students!

 Five informational meetings have been scheduled during the coming weeks to provide an overview of the trip and answer questions parents may have.  All meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. and conclude by 8:30 pm.  The dates and locations are:

Sequoia/Sycamore Cyn Middle Schools         Wednesday, October 5th in the Sequoia M.S. Multi Purpose Room

Colina/Redwood Middle Schools                      Thursday, October 6th in the Colina M.S. Multi Purpose Room

Lindero Canyon Middle School                        Thursday, October 13^th at Yerba Buena Elementary MPR

Medea Creek Middle School                             Wednesday, October 19^th in the Medea Creek Library

A.E. Wright/A.C. Stelle Middle Schools         Wednesday, October 26^th  at Lupin Hill Elementary MPR

   (The trip is a non-school activity.  School sites have NO information or materials)

 “We have learned so much from the past years, that we have been able to continually ‘fine tune’ our itinerary to insure the best trip possible”, stated Tom Johnsen, one of the trip organizers.  Despite huge increases in airfares, the organizers have been able to keep the trip cost below what is charged for similar tours in neighboring school districts.  The entire cost of the trip including airfare, lodging, all meals, evening activities, sightseeing and tips is $1,598.  Applications will be taken “On Line” at  (TravelEd2DC.com) to enable more students to participate.   The trip is a non school activity and is conducted during Spring vacation. 

 Johnsen, who taught advanced placement government classes at Calabasas High School and coaches mock trial teams, works with area teachers and school administrators in their “off hours” planning the trip.  The teachers agree that, whereas,  the trip is an exciting adventure for the students, the primary goal is education. “We develop the itinerary as if it were a lesson plan”, explained   Johnsen.  “We know that the students will have fun, but we also know that this can be an incredible opportunity for teaching as well.” To this end, pre-trip classes are conducted to help the students better appreciate what they will see and experience.  “During the classes we review everything from the history of the city to contemporary issues before Congress”, Johnsen stated.  “When they arrive, they aren’t just looking at buildings; rather they are entering a huge classroom geared for non-stop learning”. 

 Students visit the familiar sights in Washington including the monuments, memorials, the National Holocaust Museum, the Newseum and even attend a performance at the Kennedy Center.  All of the chaperons are excited to include the newly opened Martin Luther King Memorial on this year’s itinerary.  As in past years, students will also visit Colonial Williamsburg, a town that exists just as it did in 1775. “To visit Williamsburg is to walk back into history”,  Johnsen explained, “It is living history at its best and has consistently been a highlight of the tour. “

 The tour focuses on the Civil War through a visit to the battlefield at Gettysburg. Additionally, extensive time is set aside to let the students explore the wonders of the Smithsonian Institute including the most visited museum in the world, the National Air and Space Museum.

 Participants agree that minute by minute planning is the key to their success.  That success is underscored by the fact that the program is routinely “sold out” with lengthy waiting lists.  “One of the most exciting aspects of the trip for us is that some of the teachers who serve as chaperons participated in the trip as 8th graders nearly two decades ago!  “, Johnsen noted.   Other area educators including Jim Benton, Steve White, Phalba Thomas,  Bonnie Eichen , Marilyn Fine, and Ray Ballard add their special talents to help make the trip one of the most memorable experiences possible for local students.

 For further information, parents may contact Johnsen at 805-499-1569.  Information may also be obtained via the internet at www.traveled2dc.com.