Groople had the great pleasure of booking serveral student groups in Washington DC for the innaugration of President Obama last week. What a great opportunity for these kids to experience such a historic event in a city where there is so much to see and learn. Sparking an early curiosity and engagement with the world is one reason student group travel is a worthy endeavor. Here are some others:
· It helps both teachers and students. There are few things that keep the attention of both students and teachers like the anticipation of a big event—like, say, a trip to Boston or a day trip to the next town over. Teachers can use a trip as the basis for numerous pre-visit lessons about civics, history, art or just about anything. Once students are at their destination, they’ll have a greater appreciation of everything they’ve read about and discussed, and after they return they’ll have a depth of understanding that only comes with direct experience.
· It establishes community. Sports, theater and other extracurricular activities are wonderful ways for kids to bond, but student group travel enables even adults to form tighter friendships, since these types of trips always require parent chaperones. Experiencing a new place and spending a few full days together is bound to build a tighter community.
· It can change a life. Maybe a student trip to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is just the impetus a kid needs to become an art major in college; perhaps a career in public service will be the result of a student trip to Washington, DC.
I completely agree about traveling in a group. Going to Europe can be just as rewarding, possibly even more rewarding than traveling to hot spots in the US. It does take way more organization though.
Traveling George
http://studenttravelplace.wordpress.com
Posted by: Travling George | March 09, 2009 at 10:16 AM