All posts by Howard Clemens

Student tour company providing trips to thousands of students over the past 33 years.
Articles, Washington D.C.

Itinerary for an Educational Field Trip to Washington DC

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Our nation’s capital city, Washington D.C. is one of the greatest classrooms in the world. Students can take a senior class trip, high school trip, band trip, or musical tour to Washington D.C. for three to four days or more. Student travel tours will have time to visit some of the major destinations in Washington D.C. over this time period, and take in the cultural and dining opportunities available, too.

There are so many sites to see in the Washington D.C. area. A brief itinerary of some of the more popular student tour destinations in Washington D.C., along with the national capital’s educational components, are discussed here.

In the heart of Washington D.C.: The Washington Monument The construction of the Washington Monument started in 1848, was interrupted by the Civil War, and it was completed and dedicated in 1885. Student tour groups can learn about the history of the placement of the monument, the materials that went into its construction (including cornerstone and capstone) and the fundraising and architectural efforts that created one of the nation’s most treasured monuments. Interwoven with a student tour that includes a visit to the monument is George Washington’s legacy along with details on his lasting impact on American history, politics, and the formation of democracy. Make arrangements to visit the Washington Monument on student field trips to Washington D.C.

Educational field trips to the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. The US Capitol building is always a popular choice on school field trips to Washington D.C. Students tour groups will learn about the historical and cultural significance of the U.S. Capitol Building. Educational tours to the U.S. Capitol Building will also have an opportunity to tour the building that acts as the focal point of the U.S. democratic system. A field trip to the U.S. Capitol provides students keen insight into the true execution of balance of power between executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. Educational student tours observe Senate and the U.S House of Representatives’ chambers in the U.S. Capitol. A visit to the President’s Room is also a great stop on a school field trip because it is a place where historical bills have been signed. During a student tour of the U.S. Capitol Building visitors will also learn about the prized historical moments that have defined American democracy.

White House VIP Tour: Save Time on Field Trips to Washington D.C. Even with security concerns, it is still possible to visit the White House and receive a tour. Student groups with special reservations skip waiting in line to take the White House VIP tour. This tour is one the highlights of an educational field trip to Washington D.C. The White House VIP tour is usually given by a special agent or another qualified educational tour guide. Students will visit the Diplomatic Reception Room, Map Room, State Dining Room, Library, the Northeast Gate of the White House and more. Student tours of the White House are also available from 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Educational field trips are a great way to expand a student’s understanding about the function of democracy. The history of our representative government is contained in a school field trip to Washington D.C. and needs to be explained by a qualified, student friendly tour guide for maximum benefits for any student group. These field trip ideas are an excellent way to begin planning a field trip to Washington D.C. Visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com for other ideas on student tours of Washington D.C. and other favorite student destinations such as Orlando, Florida and New York City.

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Itinerary for an Educational Field Trip to Orlando

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A student travel tour to Orlando Florida is a great destination for a high school class trip or a band trip. Orlando, Florida provides performance venues, education, and cultural diversity opportunities for students from various backgrounds. Educational tours that include performance and/or workshops are included in the student tour. Students can become a part of Disney Magic Music Days, with high school band performances and a wide range of other performance types to an international audience. Or, student groups more focused on active learning may choose to take part in Disney Performing Arts Workshops while visiting Orlando.

These two excellent Walt Disney World programs are a great way to focus an educational field trip experience to Orlando Florida. Any well-rounded student tour will also include visits to Universal Studios, Epcot Center, or other popular destinations at Walt Disney World. Culturally diverse dining and entertainment opportunities are also available at Walt Disney World.

Disney Magic Music Days

For the young musician, the thrill of performing in front of a live audience is critical to development and growth. While researching a school field trip for the band, choir, orchestra, dance ensemble, drill team or other types of performance groups, consider a visit to Walt Disney World to perform in front of a live international audience. Disney proudly proclaims on the website: ‘Become a star on the world’s greatest stage.’

Make the high school band trip a tour for all to remember. First, work with a qualified educational travel consultant to pull together a fantastic field trip and performance tour that includes Disney Magic Music Days. The educational tour company will work closely with your high school band or orchestra, or other type of performance group to schedule an appropriate Florida field trip that includes an audition for the Disney Show. Disney divides the auditions into three categories: instrumental, choral, and dance. If your student tour group is chosen, they will perform in front of a worldwide audience as part of Disney Magic Music Days.

The National Association for Music Education endorses Disney Magic Music Days performances by student tour groups. This program is an activity that contributes to greater musical learning and development. Overnight field trips to Orlando Florida to perform at Disney Magic Music Days are complemented by fun in some of Disney’s greatest theme parks including: Epcot Center, Universal and MGM Studios, Space Mountain, the Twilight Zone Mountain of Terror, and more. Rely on a qualified educational tour professional to schedule the Disney Magic Music Days performance and tour for your student travel group.

Disney Performing Arts Workshops

Student tour groups that visit Orlando Florida can become deeply engaged in the Disney experience through participation in a Performing Arts Workshop. These workshops inspire the student performance tour participants through direct interaction, coaching, and practice. Student tour groups are trained and coached by professional Disney performance artists.

Artistic techniques are taught under a wide range of programs, with participants from auxiliary units, pom squads, color guards, drill teams, orchestras, concert bands, jazz and marching bands, vocalists and dancers.

Walt Disney World Performing Arts Workshops are educational in nature and teach the student tour participants to improve their techniques, presentation and staging. Student travel groups are excited about learning from the professionals in the Disney Performing Arts Workshops. The enthusiasm builds if the student travel group is scheduled for a public performance as part of Disney Magic Music Days.

A student tour of Orlando Florida is greatly enhanced when an educational travel professional is engaged to take care of the details. Visit www.EducationalTravelConsultants.com for a complete overview of educational student tours.

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Itinerary for an Educational Field Trip to New York City

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When student travel tours are scheduled for New York City, the main item on the itinerary is art and culture, with some standard points of interest, like The Statue of Liberty and Times Square, included. Here is a descriptive sample itinerary for a New York City student field trip, which balances art and cultural highlights with visits to interesting destinations in Manhattan.

Always use a professional educational travel consultant when planning a trip to New York City. Certified tour guides must be used in New York City, and motor coach drivers must be well versed in street layouts and traffic patterns. An educational travel consultant will select qualified individuals to work with an educational tour. The goal of educational travel is to deliver the highest quality learning experience to the group, and to keep the student travel tour on schedule.

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

Student travel tours planned in advance can easily complement classroom activities. “Modern Teachers” is a MoMA program that allows educators to customize educational tours of the Museum. Working closely with materials on MoMA’s website http://www.moma.org/modernteachers/, an educator can construct a lesson plan to coincide with the field trip to MoMA. This exciting tool for educators is complemented by video lessons on the world’s greatest artists. With advance notice, educational tour groups can visit MoMA with a docent.

Metropolitan Art Museum

At the Metropolitan Art Museum, an emphasis on the classics benefit the student travel group, and give them a well rounded approach to art history. The brand new Greek and Roman galleries offer glimpses into the world of the ancients with 5,200 pieces from the permanent collection now available for public viewing. The Cloisters is located at Fort Tryon Park in Upper Manhattan and recently reopened in 2006. It represents the world of medieval art and architecture. Other exhibits, lectures, and special programs are also available to student tour groups. Have an educational travel professional schedule a guided student tour for the Met in advance.

A Student Tour of the Empire State Building

Have a qualified educational tour consultant schedule a group tour of the Empire State Building in New York City. The Empire State Building was constructed in 1930, during the beginning of the great depression, greatly reducing building costs. The 86th Floor Observatory offers a commanding view of Manhattan and has been the site of filming “Sleepless in Seattle” and “An Affair to Remember.” The building has a unique history surrounding its construction. The impetus for building the Empire State Building was a contest between Walter Chrysler (Chrysler Corporation) and John Jakob Raskob (General Motors) to see who could build the tallest skyscraper.

Guided Tour of Manhattan

Half-day student tours of Manhattan usually begin at Central Park, the northernmost point in Manhattan, and end to Battery Park, the Southernmost point. The tour covers some major points of interest in Manhattan such as Central Park, Times Square, Soho, City Hall, Wall Street, The Statue of Liberty, and much more. In addition to seeing points of interest, student tour groups will also learn about the artistic and commercial history of Manhattan on this tour.

Educational Tours: See a Broadway Musical While in New York City

Almost every student travel group wants to experience at least one Broadway Musical while in New York City. Tickets for popular shows need to be procured in advance by a student travel company. “Wicked”, “Chicago”, and a “Chorus Line” are popular Broadway musicals appropriate for student travel groups. Off Broadway productions are also available. Book student travel group tickets in advance through a qualified educational travel company to obtain student seating together and receive the best price per ticket.

An educational field trip to New York City can offer the student the travel opportunity of a lifetime. This is only one sample itinerary of a student tour of New York City. There are many other variations of student travel tours to New York. With clear objectives in mind and proper planning, a more customized educational tour of New York City can easily be created. Visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com for more field trip ideas for New York City.

Blog, Washington D.C.

Why would anybody want to travel to Washington, DC

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Why would any school group (performing or social studies) want to go to Washington, DC this school year? Fuel prices are at record highs, meaning for the 2nd year in a row there is going to be a steep increase in trip prices. The fallout of high fuel prices (since transportation costs, affect other areas of the travel industry), like the cost to transport meats and vegetables to restaurants and paper products and work uniforms to hotels. Then there is the safety issue. Israel is at war with terrorist groups in Lebanon. Other terrorist groups are threatening the United States. We had the 9/11 disaster in 2001 and the war with Iraq in 2003. We had many schools cancel their trips or show absolutely no interest in traveling to Washington, DC or for any US city for that matter. Hey, I am just playing devil’s advocate. Actually, in spite of these real things happening, the early phone calls and e-mails from teachers show a very brisk travel season ahead. Go figure. A few years ago, any change in world affairs, would scare schools off. Not any more. Maybe we are getting “thicker skins” and are adjusting to this new way of life, that the United States and its people are no longer insulated from the rest of the happenings of the world.

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Thunderstorms “fried” us for a couple days

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I always heard that the Tampa Bay area of Florida was the lightening capital of the United States. More days of lightening per year than any other place. Well, lately it’s our home office in Hendersonville, North Carolina. It may be hot from Washington, DC to Florida across to Arizona, but the active weather seems to be in my town. What’s really strange was that we didn’t get a drop of rain from the last storm, yet the lightening strikes (about 2 miles away) reached our office and “popped” our surge protectors, blew out 2 computers, and a router which took us off the internet. I now know how far lightening can travel (pretty darn far). This handicap lasted about 2 days. I never knew I was so dependent on the internet till I had no internet. All is well now.

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Oh What A Day!

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My wife and I were in Mexico this past week (as we do mission work across the border in Matamoros, Mexico). We were to board our flight at 4:00pm yesterday for a simple 1 hour flight to Houston to then connect to our last flight to Asheville, NC. Our incoming plane was delayed because of mechanical problems. By the time it got to Brownsville (over 2 hours late) we would now miss our connection (which was the final flight of the day) back home. We decided to still go on to Houston and get one flight out of the way, spend the night in a Houston hotel, and fly the final leg today.

So we boarded the plane and left Brownsville at 6:30pm. Just before landing in Houston, our pilot informed us that a severe thunder storm decided to sit over the airport, and the airport was now closed. The pilot said we had extra fuel so we could circle for awhile. Well, after an hour of circling (and the airport still closed) we were running low on fuel, and now had to be diverted to San Antonio to take on fuel. We landed in San Antonio at 9:30pm. As we were fueling, our pilot got on the speaker and said, “I have good news and bad news. The good news is that Houston airport is now open. The bad news is that this flight crew has now exceeded our legal flying time for the day. So we will have to have you deplane here and get on another jet. (There were already about a dozen other jets that also had to divert to San Antonio because they were also low on fuel). So we got on another jet and finally 5 hours after leaving Brownsville, we got to Houston. We were supposed to be home last night by 10:30pm. We got home today around 9:00pm. Oh yeah, we also had to fly into another airport (Greenville) and get a ride home (65 miles) instead of the 10 miles it would have been from Asheville airport. The end result is we got home about 24 hours late and with more flights and stops then we had ever planned on.

Blog, Washington D.C.

The Washington, DC Cycle is Recycling

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About every 5 years the cycle of demand/supply in Washington, DC goes full circle. Even the affects of 9/11 haven’t changed that cycle. Right now (as things appear) hotel availability will be in short supply (and high demand) and prices will be up. We know this from being in direct contact with the hotels on a daily basis. School groups (especially larger ones like bands and choirs) need to be especially aware of this. Do not wait very long to make your Washington, DC travel arrangements, especially if you are traveling from Mid March thru mid June 2007. Prices will either be outrageous (for the few hotels that will have availability and will gouge) or you may be staying 50 miles or more from the center city. We have been in business 23 years and this is the 4th or 5th time the cycle has gone this way. What will most likely happen a couple of years from now is hotel general managers will be calling us with special deals because thy will have alot of empty rooms. However, that’s not this year. Book your trip early.

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Orange level travel alert is not scaring people

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After about one week of having to adjust to Orange Level restrictions (nuisances), most everyone has adjusted to not being able to take drinks onboard a plane or bringing things on like liquids or gels, or chap stick, or make up. Even in the toughest airport, Washington, DC Reagan National Airport (because of the proximity to government sensitive areas), things are pretty much normal again. A poll was recently conducted after the latest terrorist scare and the question was, ” Are you very scared to travel/fly?” 23% of the respondents said yes. What is interesting to note is that that is the same identical percentage that responded the same way one year after the 9/11 terrorist attack. This means we are not letting scare tactics bother us the way they used to (at least in this case.).

Blog, Washington D.C.

Student groups going to Washington DC want a tour of the Capitol

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All the school groups we have that go to Washington, DC, whether it is a history or government class, or even it’s a choir or band, all want to visit the US Capitol and tour it. If you can think back five years ago (pre 9/11), you could get in one line if you had a school group and another for individuals and families and go right in without a reservation. Also no elaborate security screening. Those days are gone. That is why we stress that school groups need to book their trip early with us. Once we know your dates and approximate travelers, we can contact your local US Congressman (or woman) or Senator and get an appointment for you. This is now the only way you can get into the Rotunda of the Capitol. Some groups would like to get gallery passes too for the US House of Representatives or for the Senate, and we can also get those, but again book early, as the reservations are strictly controlled and it’s first come, first reserved. I feel badly for some school groups who book later in the fall and want to travel at a particularly busy Spring week. All we can do at that point is make the US Capitol a picture taking spot. All reservations would have been given out. Besides 9/11 the current architects that have been involved with renovations of the building, have put a maximum on the number of visitors allowed through the building each day (which is about 60% of what it used to be). So again, I say book your trip early so you won’t be disappointed about not getting into the US Capitol as well as other popular Washington, DC attractions.

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Terrorist plot foiled on flights to USA

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I don’t like these kind of stories, especially related to the sensitivity of the student travel market, but everyone is thinking back again to September 11, 2001 after yesterday’s foiled plane bombing plan. I have school groups right now booked on flights to New York City and Washington, DC and it makes people think again of the terrorist attack of five years ago. My mindset is different than alot of Americans, although I think over the last five years many have changed their mindset too. My mindset is, we no longer live in a protective “glass bubble” immune to events in other parts of the world. Israel has lived in a state of military readiness for years and yet they still live normal day to day lives (even with the latest rocket attacks from Hezbollah). The United States has a “knee jerk” reaction to terrorist threats. That reaction is to stop doing what we normally do and change our plans. This is actually one of the goals the terrorists have in mind. I’m not saying our country should not be caught with “their pants down”. I’m in favor of security measures. However, even with security measures in place, it does not make us impenetrable. We have to be able to live our normal lives (as they do in Israel) knowing we have very good security measures and an excellent Intelligence Department capable of sniffing out and finding terrorists and their plans against our country. I am also editorializing to school boards and administrations that cancel trips based on the news media accounts (which is also somewhat editorialized). You know, because of yesterday’s events, it is not unconceivable that a school from (let’s say) Jackson, Mississippi may cancel their trip to Atlanta. Sounds untrue. I was there after 9/11 and after we sent troops to Iraq in 2003. These kind of things happened. I hope, since 9/11 the American mentality has toughened.