Would you let your 8th grader go on a school trip to Washington this Oct?

[WillR]

Hi,

We have to decide whether or not to let our 8th grader go on a school trip to Washington this October. Full payment is due this coming Wed and with the Iraq questions we're not sure.

We've heard through the grapevine that several kids aren't going this year (combination of uncertainty and cost of the trip). Obviously last years trip was cancelled so this is the first after the attacks.

What would you do?

 

[holycow]

I've been having the same dilema too...I told my DS that we would take a family trip to Wash. this past spring and then it didn't happen...so now he is asking again about the school trip....

I've heard nothing but wonderful things about the trip but I too am wavering because of the events now....

sorry I wasn't much help but just wanted you to know your not alone!

Holycow

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Last year, my DD was an 8th grader and her trip to DC was canceled. It was such a disappointment...something she had really looked forward to and a wonderful opportunity, as we've never been there and don't know when we'll get there.

I think if a child of mine were to go, I'd like to be a chaperone, for my own peace of mind and so I wasn't sitting home wondering and worrying. I assume there is some provision for refunds if a situation exists where it might not be safe??

Good luck with your decision. I can't say for sure how I'd feel if it were actually my child in the situation...I'm not sure what the 8th graders at our school are planning this year. My DDs are in 9th and 7th.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

Our 7th grade hebrew school class is doing a day trip to DC next month. they're leaving NY at 6 in the morning and returning the same day. the purpose of the trip is to see the Holocaust Museum. the trip will be well chaparoned.

when the permission slip came home I signed it right away. never gave it a second thought.

are we going to live the rest of our lives in fear?

 

[pumba]

any danger......second of all the US would not want the kids to go to DC...if any of the kids were in danger......I think that they should go and let them have this chance...hugs to you all

 

[bumcat]

My 19 yr old dd works at a grocery store til late at night and that scares me more than a field trip to d.c.
I would let mine go.

 

[cmbelle]

I would also have a hard time with it, but I would sign the permission slip. There are so many uncertainities in life; we have to live our lives (man...sounds like a Hallmark card).

 

[supercarrie]

If I had kids, I would let mine go. I remember my 8th grade trip to DC, and what an amazing experience it was. I would hate to not let them go. If there did end up being a serious threat closer to the trip, then I would not them go, even if I didn't get my money back. But at this point, if I did have kids, I would let them go.

 

[Katie]

My daughter would ONLY be going if I was going. Not that I could stop anything from happening...but I would want to be there to help her deal with what could happen.

My husband says I am crazy..but I am very very particular about who she rides with even....

There is NO way..I would let any of my kids go that distance without me, my dh, or my parents!

Sorry..probably not the answer you wanted to hear!

 

[Kallison]

Yes. I would probably try to be a chaperone, but even if not I would still let them go.

 

[nhrenee]

Yes.

 

[DocRafiki]

Is there some sort of tradition with DC trips in the 8th grade? I think my school also had an 8th-grade trip to DC. (I didn't go.) No 7th-grade trip. No other-grade trip at all, in fact, until Grad Nite. Am I out of the loop?

 

[disykat]

You're not the only one out of the loop. I've never heard of class field trips beyond the elementary trips to the zoo etc. I have heard of kids in performing groups like choir etc. or sports going on trips though. We plan to take a family trip there.

Safety wise, I probably wouldn't worry now any more than I would have before.

 

[KimRaye]

DS went to Springfield, IL for his 8th grade class trip. I didn't think anything about it. His dad was a chaperone (my ex).

When I was in school, we only did the zoos & museums, maybe some important movie but, I went to a public school. DS was in a private grammar school. Maybe that's why the trips differ.

 

[Katie]

Where i grew up(Decatur, Illinois)...the 8th grade trip was to DC( I did NOT go...mean mean parents..lol)

My son's 8th grade trip was to Hannibal, MO....(why..i don't know)..but he went! One day trip!

Their senior class trip( next year..sigh)..is to Florida...(doubt if he will go to that either..sounds dangerously fun !)

 

[bsnyder]

There are an enormous number of 8th grade trips to Washington, DC. Both my boys did this at the end of their 8th grade year.

I chaperoned the younger sons's trip. Would have liked to have done both of them but couldn't because of work demands.

When I went with younger DS, we were in a hotel near Arlington . There were 5 different 8th grade school trips staying in the same hotel, with the same tour group that organized the trip. The chaperones and teachers even had a hospitality suite to hang out in after the kids went to sleep. They taped the doors to the kids' rooms shut, and had a guard posted on every hall, courtesy of the tour operator.

It was an awesome trip. I couldn't believe the amount of ground we covered in 3 days!

I'm assuming you are having second thoughts because of 9/11? I know it's a different world since my kids went, but I would still let mine go today.

 

[mickeyfan29]

waaay back in 1986, when I was in the 8th grade we went on a 4 day trip to DC. My mom was a chaperone and we had to go through security at certain places because they had just bombed Libya about 2-3 weeks before. She didn't chaperone my brother's trip because she was working.

 

[Planogirl]

I would let my child go on this trip when he is in 8th grade if it is offered. I think that it's a wonderful opportunity. But I do understand your worry. I would worry too I think but still let him go.

 

[poohandwendy]

I understand your safety concerns but IMO, this is a really great experience (my DD went 2 years ago with her 8th grade class- 3 days) I would try to look it as perfect timing, because of 9-11 the kids will really want to learn more about our nations capital....they are living in times where history is being made daily. Great opportunity, I would say yes. Your child will never forget it, especially because of 9-11.

btw, we did not have the option to chaperone, only faculty...I was bummed...

 

[caitycaity]

i am not sure if they plan to visit the white house, but you may want to consider that that may be your child's only opportunity to see it ever... it's only open to school groups right now, and who knows when that will change. i wish i had seen it when i had the chance.

anyways, i've lived and worked in this area since 9/11 and i am still here, so i would say go for it.

something could happen anywhere, and i think dc has a lot of security in effect.