8th grader DC trip experience?

[mominwestlake]

My dd also did the 8th grade class trip to Washington DC with almost the same itinerary and the same cost. They went by motorcoach so no airfare was involved. The school has been doing this trip for years and my dd felt very safe the entire time. The kids had their specific chaperones cell number incase anyone did get separated from the group- but noone did. There were plenty of chaperones and a security company who patrolled the halls at night.

 

[minkydog]

My daughter did comment about some kids' phones ringing within seconds of a time when they could be turned back on again after a tour -- because the parent did nothing but call, call, call -- for the entire trip??? She said it never failed that those kids were all having fun -- until they had to pick up the phone and tell mommy how much they missed her & really would be glad for the trip to end.

I requested a call when the bus reached Gettysburg, their first destination. I got approximately 12 seconds of "We're here now & I've gotta go." Oh well, she did have a great time.

You know, this erks me too. When I send my kids off on a trip, I figure no news is good news. If something happens I have confidence that either a chaperone, an administrator, or my child will call me. Otherwise, I butt out and wait until they come home to get the low-down on the trip. My parents didn't smother me with concern and I'm not going to do that to my kids, either. They know we love them and we do our best to make sure they are in a safe situation. Their comes a point where we have to stand back and let them do it themselves.

DD16 has a friend whose mother is a bit helicopter-ish. This child is an honors student, brilliant, level-headed, active in sports and music, and generally just the kind of kid you want your kids to be. However, her mother cannot seem to un-grip herself. If we go to the mall 6 miles away, this mother is calling. When we take the girls camping 2hrs away this mother is calling from the time we leave the driveway. I'm not kidding. And she keeps it up the whole time we're gone, directing her DD from home "Be sure you ____" and "You didn't d0____, did you?" When her DD decided last year that she wanted to quit band and try chorus & drama there has been NO END to the bitterness and complaints from this mother. I finally told her that R is a good kid and she can make good decisions about what she wanted to be interested in. And if she finds out that she doesn't like a choice, she can always go back to music. Flat out told her she was over-reacting and she needs to trust her daughter's good judgement.

 

[goofy4tink]

My dd's class did this trip two years ago, as eight-graders. They left from central Mass, so it was a 10 hr bus ride. That's the part that bothered me the most..the coming and the going.
When they were in DC, there were a ton of tornedo's...enough activity that they had to curtail their activities one night and do something else. That was a wee bit distressing to the parents back home!
The cost was about $700 pp. There were plenty of chaperones. Each teacher had a couple of rooms they were responsible for 'guarding'. The agency that ran the tour had people walking the halls all night, just to be sure no one was walking around that shouldn't be there. There were 4 kids to a room. The girls had no trouble sharing beds, but the boys brought sleeping bags so they didn't have to share!! Too funny.
It was a terrific experience. My dd had a wonderful time. This year, she has the opportunity to go to Greece with her Latin class. As of right now, she has said she doesn't want to go but we'll see how it all shakes out.

 

[Dictator]

It's a good thing the price includes:
Lincoln Memorial
Vietnam Veterans Wall
Korean War Memorial
FDR Memorial
Jefferson Memorial
Iwo Jima
WW II Memorial
White House and Capitol Building Photo Opportunity
Arlington National Cemetery
Smithsonian Institution of Air and Space, Natural
History, American History

Getting into all those costs a lot of money.

 

[cabanafrau]

Just a couple of comments from reading over the responses --

OP, looks like you will have the same set-up we did, no tape on the doors because you will have security stationed in the hallways at night.

Yes, the itineraries are absolutely jam packed -- because the kids really don't have downtime in the hotel rooms, which only begs for trouble to start anyway. The kids are really only in the room to sleep & shower, which is perfect.

Coming and going, yep that was my only real fear, which is why I requested the arrival call. Once I knew that bus was there, all was good. Interestingly enough, I got several calls when the bus was within striking distance on the return trip -- she was so tired she wanted to make darn sure I was there waiting so she could grab her luggage & head home to bed!

 

[raysnkaysmom]

My DD is going on the DC trip in Spring with her 8th grade class. She will be 14 at the time of the trip. I have already met with the trip advisor in charge, and feel very comfortable letting her go. He has done this for quite a few years and has a great track record so far. The ratio of child/chaperone is decent, better than most field trips.

Her advisor also has very strict rules for staying with the group, no one of the opposite sex in the rooms, room lock downs, modest clothing will out and while swimming, and has already given us parents the list of consequences for breakin rules. So far he stated he has only had to go one time to step one of his consequences.

If you are worried, talk with the advisor in charge. Find out how they plan to keep charge of the children going. Find out the rules and consequences for not following the rules. Make sure there are enough chaparones attending. And find out what happens if the child gets seperated or sick. A good advisor should know this info off the top of their head.

I am totally shocked at the cost. The trip for my DD is costing close to $2500. It will be worth it though.

I was happy to see the $697 price tag....her conference in Atlanta this fall was $1600!
The meeting requiring deposit is tomorrow, but I have to work Her dad will be going to the mtg, and he's all for the trip. So he'll get all the info I want. I will have him talk to the advisor definitely...

DD is going with her 8th grade class on the "Heritage Tour" which includes NY, PA, MD, DC and points in between. Her cost is a bit over $800.

I am a nervous parent as well; the thought of her going away for a week like that is horrifying to my overactive imagination. Soooo... they mentioned in the informational meeting that they were taking a select group of parents as chaperones, and I signed up. It'll be another $450 but I think I can come up with it, since my parents are paying for her trip. I've never been to DC myself and really want to see the sites there.

I mentioned that before to my daughter, that she could go if her dad or I chaperoned... I got the look. Noo mom, that's not cool. lol
I sure would feel better though, but I do want her to enjoy it. Not like my younger DD who WANTS me on all her field trips

Our kids' school does an 8th grade DC trip too. We did not send our kids only because we were going in June and the cost of their trip was $1800/kid-times 2 with the twins, which is almost double what we spent for our family of 5 to go.
Everyone I know that has sent their kids have really been glad they did. The kids have a blast. The trips have been well chaperoned. DC is a very safe town and it sounds like they have a good itinerary. I would send her-especially for that price!

Personally I would skip the National Youth Leader's conference-that is a joke. My niece went on that and basically it was another People to People type trip-glorified travel agency charging too much money and they ended up not doing ANYTHING (she went to DC for her conference and didn't do ANY sightseeing.).

Nah, theres not sightseeing at the NYLSC, we have the itinerary. I've heard both good and bad reviews, but she's real excited about it, its a great opportunity for her and I think it'll help her kick back into the importance of school. She's always done so well, I want her prepared for HS next yr...

Just a couple of comments from reading over the responses --

OP, looks like you will have the same set-up we did, no tape on the doors because you will have security stationed in the hallways at night.

Yes, the itineraries are absolutely jam packed -- because the kids really don't have downtime in the hotel rooms, which only begs for trouble to start anyway. The kids are really only in the room to sleep & shower, which is perfect.

Coming and going, yep that was my only real fear, which is why I requested the arrival call. Once I knew that bus was there, all was good. Interestingly enough, I got several calls when the bus was within striking distance on the return trip -- she was so tired she wanted to make darn sure I was there waiting so she could grab her luggage & head home to bed!

Thats my main concern, is the bus ride. And, of course, being alone in a hotel with people she doesn't know. But, I guess thats why she has a cell phone

 

[ead79]

I went to a small private school in 8th grade, and the entire grade went to DC. It was a huge deal to us--we had all looked forward to it all through middle school. I had a GREAT time, and we were well chaperoned. Since it was with my own classmates, I did know everyone who went. For me, that is a huge plus. I'm not sure I would have been comfortable on a trip like that with kids I didn't know, but I'm probably the exception to the rule on that account. As long as you're comfortable with the way they plan to chaperone the kids and the rules, then I vote for letting her go.

 

[cabanafrau]

OP, if it helps any, we were told at the orientation meeting the exact point where the 2nd shift driver would board the bus and take over during the night. I'm betting you'll receive this kind of info at your meeting. Our travel company seemed fully prepared to deal with every detail you can imagine and our district has been using them for several years now with absolutely no issues. Many teachers and several admin go on these trips year after year and really keep an eye out on the kids & the travel company staff.

 

[Becky2005]

I can't help you as they don't even offer the trip to my kids, however, I went on a Washington, DC trip in 8th grade and I LOVED it. It was well supervised. The boys had one floor in the hotel & the girls had another. They hired security guards for overnight so we were never allowed to leave the floor. The room we were in, we were never allowed to leave the room due to it's location & the security guard basically stationed outside our room but we all had a good time anyway...we were bummed when we heard the next day that the boys were at least allowed to go down to the snack machines on their floor.

Ours included an air travel. I would let my kids go in a heartbeat based on my experience. My parents were pretty strict too but they let all 3 of us kids go on that trip when we were in 8th grade.

Just my 2 cents worth. Even though I would let my kids, I would definitely be worried out of my mind also though.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Goodness, at 15 I went to Spain for 2 weeks without my parents and with minimal chaperones. Point in fact, we spent one full day only having to check in with them at dinner time. You're worried about a charter bus? If you want to be sure your kid knows how to get along in the world plunk them down in the middle of Madrid with an only passable grasp at Spanish and force them to try and explain to the bus drivers where they're trying to get to.

Seriously, your girl will be fine. She will have the time of her life. She will not miss you (sorry to say) and she will gain experiences that she will desperately need in 4 years time when she is away form you permanently at college.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I can't help you as they don't even offer the trip to my kids, however, I went on a Washington, DC trip in 8th grade and I LOVED it. It was well supervised. The boys had one floor in the hotel & the girls had another. They hired security guards for overnight so we were never allowed to leave the floor. The room we were in, we were never allowed to leave the room due to it's location & the security guard basically stationed outside our room but we all had a good time anyway...we were bummed when we heard the next day that the boys were at least allowed to go down to the snack machines on their floor.

Ours included an air travel. I would let my kids go in a heartbeat based on my experience. My parents were pretty strict too but they let all 3 of us kids go on that trip when we were in 8th grade.

Just my 2 cents worth. Even though I would let my kids, I would definitely be worried out of my mind also though.

Yeah, I know I'm letting her go, my mouth just hasn't said that yet.. LOL . I wont' let her miss an amazing opportunity based on my worry.....

Goodness, at 15 I went to Spain for 2 weeks without my parents and with minimal chaperones. Point in fact, we spent one full day only having to check in with them at dinner time. You're worried about a charter bus? If you want to be sure your kid knows how to get along in the world plunk them down in the middle of Madrid with an only passable grasp at Spanish and force them to try and explain to the bus drivers where they're trying to get to.

Seriously, your girl will be fine. She will have the time of her life. She will not miss you (sorry to say) and she will gain experiences that she will desperately need in 4 years time when she is away form you permanently at college.

If she had the opportunity to go to Spain (only with adequate chaperones thought), I'd probably let her go at around 16....

And yes, I'm worried about a charter bus. I live near Atlanta where that one crashed off the interstate carrying a team from Ohio, killing 9 - Doesn't mean I'll keep her from anything that will ever possibly harm her, it means I'm her mom and I worry for her safety that is left in other peoples hands...

 

[jrmasm]

She will have the time of her life. She will not miss you (sorry to say) and she will gain experiences that she will desperately need in 4 years time when she is away form you permanently at college.

That was exactly our thinking when we allowed our 13 year old to leave the country without us. Guess what? We were right!

 

[allison443]

OP am I reading the post correctly that this is not a school-sponsored trip? Most people who responded are talking about class trips to DC with a known group of kids and teachers, but this one sounds like one being run by a travel group? (If your daughter is doing the leadership conference, I'm sure her name is on a mailing list for lots of these things).

I'm not saying it's a bad idea, but it's a different situation if you don't know any of the kids or adults going. Does she have any classmates going?

Also you said her dad is going to the informational meeting where the deposit is required-so will you even have time to review the info before he puts down the deposit? This might be a decision you want to make together.

I think you are doing the right thing by making sure all your questions are answered. Good luck!

 

[raysnkaysmom]

OP am I reading the post correctly that this is not a school-sponsored trip? Most people who responded are talking about class trips to DC with a known group of kids and teachers, but this one sounds like one being run by a travel group? (If your daughter is doing the leadership conference, I'm sure her name is on a mailing list for lots of these things).

I'm not saying it's a bad idea, but it's a different situation if you don't know any of the kids or adults going. Does she have any classmates going?

Also you said her dad is going to the informational meeting where the deposit is required-so will you even have time to review the info before he puts down the deposit? This might be a decision you want to make together.

I think you are doing the right thing by making sure all your questions are answered. Good luck!

I'm sorry, this IS the schools 8th grade field trip, the leadership conference is not from her school although her teacher last yr nominated her. Not sure how many of her friends will be able to go on this trip to DC.
As far as the meeting, yes the deposit is required, but it's only $100 and we (her dad and i) have already discussed the possibility of 'eating' the $100 if for some reason we change our minds closer to time. We do think she needs to 'mature' a bit more and have a bit more responsibility around the house.

 

[allison443]

She is already going to Atlanta (less than an hr drive, so I feel better) next month with other middle schoolers for the National Youth Leadership State Conference, and this is with people she doesn't even know for 4 days..

Okay, sorry I misunderstood! You meant the Atlanta trip is with people she doesn't know-I thought you meant the Washington trip was with people she doesn't know!

Knowing it's with her school it's a lot better. It does sound like a great trip!

 

[pjm-guy]

My oldest son last year in 7th grade went on a trip through the "People-to-People" program in Washington DC. They went as far as Gettysburg and Jamestown VA in addition to all of the stops in DC like you mentioned. We too were petrified of sending him away, even though he really wanted to do it, because it was really his first trip away from home and he literally knew no one from the trip. We could hear it in his voice from a shaky first night to a full of confidence last night that being away was probably the best thing for him. He had a blast, saw tons of stuff he'd never see normally and was fully exhausted when he came home. So in a nutshell, if you think they can handle it, by all means, let them go!

 

[mjkacmom]

It's a good thing the price includes:
Lincoln Memorial
Vietnam Veterans Wall
Korean War Memorial
FDR Memorial
Jefferson Memorial
Iwo Jima
WW II Memorial
White House and Capitol Building Photo Opportunity
Arlington National Cemetery
Smithsonian Institution of Air and Space, Natural
History, American History

Getting into all those costs a lot of money.

I love DC, because almost everything is FREE!

 

[suzannen]

My DD went on her first 4-day school trip in 6th grade to Gettysburg, Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Her 7th grade trip was a 5-day to DC and her 8th grade trip was a 10-day trip to Europe and included London, Paris, Florence and Rome. They had two 9th grade trips, one to Ireland and a second one biking in Nantucket. She has had a wonderful experience in each of these trips and they have helped her grow up and become more self-reliant and confident. Of course, I was a nervous wreck as she was flying overseas without me that first time and didn't relax until I could confirm online that their plane had safely landed, but I only wish I had had these kinds of opportunities growing up.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

My DD went on her first 4-day school trip in 6th grade to Gettysburg, Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Her 7th grade trip was a 5-day to DC and her 8th grade trip was a 10-day trip to Europe and included London, Paris, Florence and Rome. They had two 9th grade trips, one to Ireland and a second one biking in Nantucket. She has had a wonderful experience in each of these trips and they have helped her grow up and become more self-reliant and confident. Of course, I was a nervous wreck as she was flying overseas without me that first time and didn't relax until I could confirm online that their plane had safely landed, but I only wish I had had these kinds of opportunities growing up.

I never had ANY of those opportunities, single mom on a limited income...but even though my daughter is MUCH better off than either her dad or I were growing up, even she wont' get allll these opportunites!! LOL
I do hope to take my kids to Paris before oldest DD turns 18 though

My DD9 already told me she wants to go to Japan for her 14th bday. I dont know why, but she's said that for over a year, I'd LOVE to be able to do that. Better start saving huh?? lol

 

[suzannen]

I never had ANY of those opportunities, single mom on a limited income...but even though my daughter is MUCH better off than either her dad or I were growing up, even she wont' get allll these opportunites!! LOL
I do hope to take my kids to Paris before oldest DD turns 18 though

My DD9 already told me she wants to go to Japan for her 14th bday. I dont know why, but she's said that for over a year, I'd LOVE to be able to do that. Better start saving huh?? lol

That's cute. My DD, at age 14, this summer decided to turn down an opportunity to go on a 4-week trip to China. I've been to China, and even as an adult, it's such a long flight and soooo far away and for sooo long - that one would have been difficult for me to give my blessings to! Luckily, she instantly said she wasn't ready for that. But, the kids that did go (15 of them) seemed to have had a good time and texted all of their friends back home daily with their experiences, both good and bad! It was quite interesting to hear the reports each day.