A Time for Fun and Learning in Virginia for Bay Lane Students, Parents

Brian O’Keefe, a police officer and father of three, doesn’t really look like the kind of guy you necessarily want to mess with. But bring up Bay Lane Middle School’s annual week-long trip to Virginia, and he’s all smiles. In fact, in his own words, he’s like a 12-year-old again when he goes.

“It’s very cool…I was more excited than half the kids there,” O’Keefe said.

O’Keefe has made the trip twice, an opportunity that not every parent can boast about; first with a set of twin daughters a few years ago, and this latest adventure with his youngest daughter, MacKenzie.

The week-long excursion cost $600 each, and Brian and MacKenzie joined 150 others on this year’s trip, which went from May 7-14. The entourage traveled by coach bus, complete with wireless Internet access.

The trip has been an annual tradition now for well-over 20 years. It was spearheaded by Jerry Hulbert, a teacher for many years at Bay Lane. Hulbert has since retired from teaching, but remains a strong advocate for the trip. 

As with many time-honored traditions, this one isn’t immune from myths. According to O’Keefe, there’s a rumor that circulates every year that the trip will be canceled by either Bay Lane’s administration or the school board itself. It has been dubbed “The Annual Myth”.

Starting out each day around 5:30am, the group took in a multitude of attractions, including the site where the Wright Brothers successfully tested their first flight; a sting ray and dolphin tour; George Washington’s estate, Mount Vernon, in Fairfax; Virginia Beach; Thomas Jefferson’s estate, Monticello, in Charlottesville. The group also saw the most active sand dune on the east coast, at 90 feet; a trip to an aquarium and museum of natural science; and the colonial-era towns of Jamestown and Williamsburg.

Brian and MacKenzie took advantage of an optional opportunity to visit the decommissioned World War II-era U.S.S. Wisconsin, which was brought back into service in the 1980s and saw action in early 1991 during Operation Desert Storm before being decommissioned again permanently. The ship now rests at Norfolk as a museum.

The two also saw the president’s helicopter, Marine One, flying near the Potomac River, but it was doubtful President Obama was aboard, as a gun ship was not accompanying it, Brian explained.

On the journey back home, the group drove past the U.S. Capitol. Due to time constraints, the group was unable to tour it.

Among the many historical facts the two came back to Wisconsin with: it took only 30 days for the Jamestown settlers to build their fort, and a whopping 40 years for Thomas Jefferson to finish Monticello to his liking.

However, when all was said and done, both Brian and MacKenzie agreed that Williamsburg was the best part of the trip, with its restaurants and coffee shops serving up authentic colonial-era meals and drinks; actors roaming the town in period dress; and an 18th century church with its original bell still in use.

Brian concluded by offering praise to the teachers and staff who help make this trip possible.

“I’m in awe at how well-planned and put-together this trip is. There are really no glitches, and the teachers have it down to a science,” he said.