Registration Begins for Spring Break Trip to Nation's Capital

The season may just be turning to autumn, but registration has already 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.

“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," said Tom Johnsen, one of the trip organizers. 

The trip is a non school activity and is conducted during spring break. 

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.

The tour focuses on the Civil War through a visit to the battlefield at Gettysburg. In addition, extensive time is set aside to let the students explore the wonders of the Smithsonian Institute.

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:

: Oct. 13 at Yerba Buena Elementary, MPR

Medea Creek Middle School: Oct. 19 in the Medea Creek Library

A.E. Wright/A.C. Stelle Middle Schools: Oct. 26 at Lupin Hill Elementary, MPR

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