8th Grade Washington DC Trip

[BadgerGirl84]

I agree with everyone who says 1700 is too much money for a trip to DC...especially when everything once you get there is pretty much free.

However, I disagree with the posters who argued that such trips weren't worth it due to the time allotted to certain attractions.

I am 28 years old and I still remember my 8th grade DC trip very well. Let me fill you all in on something. Your kids aren't dying to go to see the monuments, stroll the museums and take in the history of it all. They want to go because it's an overnight trip at a hotel with their best friends and YOU, the parent, won't be there!

I had such a blast on that trip...not so much for the sights, but just having fun with my friends and going through a new experience together. I remember the bus ride down, the big food courts where the tour operator gave us cash and we could pick out anything we wanted to eat, and doing prank calls on other students at the hotel. The Smithsonian? Eh, not so much. It wasn't until I went back to DC in my early 20s that I really appreciated all of the history in DC.

I realize most parents wouldn't want to she'll out a ton of money just for their kids to have fun, and that they could hang out with their friends for free at home, but I am sure glad my parents sent me.

 

[Poohforyou]

I agree with everyone who says 1700 is too much money for a trip to DC...especially when everything once you get there is pretty much free.

However, I disagree with the posters who argued that such trips weren't worth it due to the time allotted to certain attractions.

I am 28 years old and I still remember my 8th grade DC trip very well. Let me fill you all in on something. Your kids aren't dying to go to see the monuments, stroll the museums and take in the history of it all. They want to go because it's an overnight trip at a hotel with their best friends and YOU, the parent, won't be there!

I had such a blast on that trip...not so much for the sights, but just having fun with my friends and going through a new experience together. I remember the bus ride down, the big food courts where the tour operator gave us cash and we could pick out anything we wanted to eat, and doing prank calls on other students at the hotel. The Smithsonian? Eh, not so much. It wasn't until I went back to DC in my early 20s that I really appreciated all of the history in DC.

I realize most parents wouldn't want to she'll out a ton of money just for their kids to have fun, and that they could hang out with their friends for free at home, but I am sure glad my parents sent me.

This is why $1700 is way too much $$ to spend on something like this!! I could cash in credit card points and book a local hotel room for my DD and a few friends and they'd have the same amount of fun.

Our school doesn't do a big 8th grade trip but the 8th grade language programs have optional 3 day emersion program trips that cost about $800 including airfare. A school trip to DC would be a waste anyway since we're so close and it's a popular spring break option. We've been at least a 1/2 dozen times.

 

[BlovesC]

We did a DC trip when I was in 8th grade as well, but it was just a day trip, not an overnight one. It was about a four hour drive each way from my school in NJ, so it was a loooooooong day!

 

[Aristocath]

I was surprised to see this old thread bumped up. As it turned out, no one from our school went. Only a few students put down a deposit so the teacher who sponsored it cancelled.

 

[tasha99]

My son and his class went (it was a cost to parents of a little over $1100 per kid--the school itself paid 40% of the total cost and we did fundraising as well). It was a reasonable price, even if there hadn't been all the financial help due airfare from Alaska always being ridiculous. Only 1 kid ended up not going, out of 20, but they had wanted 10 chaperones and only got 3 (in addition to 2 teachers).

DS enjoyed it. He's a taciturn kid, but I think the whole adventure was great for him. I asked him what his favorite place in DC was, and he named some chili house (kid loves to eat)

 

[mhsjax]

I agree with everyone who says 1700 is too much money for a trip to DC...especially when everything once you get there is pretty much free.

However, I disagree with the posters who argued that such trips weren't worth it due to the time allotted to certain attractions.

I am 28 years old and I still remember my 8th grade DC trip very well. Let me fill you all in on something. Your kids aren't dying to go to see the monuments, stroll the museums and take in the history of it all. They want to go because it's an overnight trip at a hotel with their best friends and YOU, the parent, won't be there!

I had such a blast on that trip...not so much for the sights, but just having fun with my friends and going through a new experience together. I remember the bus ride down, the big food courts where the tour operator gave us cash and we could pick out anything we wanted to eat, and doing prank calls on other students at the hotel. The Smithsonian? Eh, not so much. It wasn't until I went back to DC in my early 20s that I really appreciated all of the history in DC.

I realize most parents wouldn't want to she'll out a ton of money just for their kids to have fun, and that they could hang out with their friends for free at home, but I am sure glad my parents sent me.

Sorry, but I will let you in on something, Not all kids care about going away, being cramped in a hotel with 3 other kids. My DS was VERY interested in the Smithsonian, Air and Space and others. He doesn't care about prank calling and being a general PITA. DD doesn't have any interest either and neither do her friends. DC in January, after a full nights ride on a bus, hit the ground running with no rest. I don't think so. My kids aren't interested. They actually LOVE to spend time with us on trips, but then again, we are fun.

 

[mudman]

Our school is running a Worldstrides DC Inauguration trip. After reading epinions. I'm a little concerned. Some people there posted about their kids missing the inauguaration and parade all together!

Anyone have recent experiences?

 

[N&B'smom]

I loved my 8th grade trip to DC!!! Had so much fun!! We were there for 3 days.

 

[Fire14]

I did it as a 9th grader back in dino ages. WE flew NWA and I believe Continatial. WE got to airport, got on charter bus and went to Sim. and had free time wandering. WE left Thanksgiving day morning from school and got back home foloowing Monday evening. While in DC we went to Mint, Capital building, Vetinam Mem during day and night, toured white house, went to Arlington, laid wreath on unknown solidier tomb, went to national zoo, Mt. Veron, wash. momument, The archives, saw senate and house chambers, had picture with our congress people, saw play at Ford's, saw house where Lincoln was taken after shooting. Went to Union Station, WEnt to air and Space, walked a lot and ate way more Mcd's than I care to remember. I remember staying in some seedy Hotel and walking a lot of places. WE had mostly Social Studies teachers and few other teachers, a few spouses and adult kids, might have been parents also don't recall.
I just remember it being my first time flying, my luggage going to Fl without me, my room mates all sharing 1 bed, leaving me with other to myself, and having money stashed so good I came home with 98.00 of the 100.00 my parents sent me with and not buying T shirt from st vendor b/c I was worried about running out of money. It was an experience for me in a lot of ways, I really enjoyed myself but wishing I could go again.

 

[hereyago]

Our school is running a Worldstrides DC Inauguration trip. After reading epinions. I'm a little concerned. Some people there posted about their kids missing the inauguaration and parade all together!

Anyone have recent experiences?

For you and the OP, how did your kids trips go? Dd14 is going to NYC fir spring break with worldstrides. Tia

 

[uconndz]

it's $465 for my 8th grader this year, but I'll pay double as DH is going too. (I guess compared to some of you I should say "What a bargain"). 3 days and 2 nights. We travel by bus from CT to DC. Looking at the schedule, I can only imagine how crazy it will be, but I thought the same thing when they went to Cape Cod last year (I went and as crazy as it looked on paper, it really was quite fun).
I think the big thing for the kids is going away with all their friends. Just listening to them plan and giggle as they are doing it makes it worth the price.

I'd pay more if asked as I'll get the house to myself for 3 beautiful days and that my friends is priceless!!