All posts by Howard Clemens

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Articles, New York City

University of Tampa College Students Take Theater, Dance and Cultural Tour in New York City

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by Howard Clemens

As Liza Minnelli once sang in the Broadway Musical Cabaret “Life is a Cabaret, Old Chum/Come to the Cabaret.” The New York City Broadway Musical is the place where a serious actor, dancer, singer or musician arrives in his or her respective profession. The Broadway Musical, like jazz, is uniquely American. Successful Broadway shows and their creators are respected as the top talent in their profession across the globe.

The Broadway musical is a form of art that takes a multi-talented ‘village’ of people to produce. At the core of this is the acting and singing, as well as staging and costuming. With all of the power of modern technology and imagination Broadway musicals have become even more glamorous then in days past. The sheer spectacle and unbelievable energy of a Broadway show is the reason many want to attend.

Yet for a college student, a trip to New York City may be financially beyond their means – or perhaps they would not see the importance of arranging such a journey.

So, Paul Finocchiaro, Assistant Professor of Speech, Theater and Dance for the University of Tampa, brings his students to New York City whenever he can. They attend several Broadway Musicals and expand their life experiences at the same time. “This helps them to decide at a young age if going to New York City is even for them,” says Finocchiaro. “Some students will go to New York City, while their classmates will go to other cities to pursue their careers,” he added. Orlando is a great city for theater and dance and it’s right in the heart of Florida.

Yet when any theater and dance student reflects upon the trip to New York City, it will be a special memory. Many will attend Broadway Musical(s) for the first time. “On our Trip we saw three different musicals,” said Finocchiaro. “I had the opportunity to talk about how each had a different vibe, style, approach and story line.” The trip further enhances “the variety of subjects being taught on a semester by semester basis,” said Finocchiaro.

Plus the student group interacted with diverse ethnicities and cultures while traveling in and around New York City. Finocchiaro observed, “These students need to see everyday life: neighborhoods, good areas, bad areas, dance classes and all of the offerings of a major East Coast city.”

Speaking of dance classes, students loved the dance class their professor and the student travel company arranged for them to attend. “They were so impressed that the dance captain from Wicked taught it,” said Finocchiaro. “Even the acting major loved it. The talk back at the end was SO beneficial. And of course, they loved being invited to the stage door after the performances. “

For some students, a treasured remembrance may be a chance to visit the most famous sites in America, such as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and the 911 Museum and Memorial. These sites can also be included on an itinerary, but for theater and dance students, visits to these sites may or may not be a priority.

One night, the University of Tampa students even visited a cabaret. The student group visited the Iridium Jazz Club. “We saw a different kind of cabaret,” said Finocchiaro.  “The students really enjoyed it, and the food at the Iridium Jazz Club is REALLY GOOD!  That was unexpected,” he added.

At home in Tampa, Florida, Finocchiaro says one of his favorite things to do is walk. “There is the longest continuous sidewalk in America here,” he says, “It’s 7 miles. One side is Tampa Bay and on the other are multi-million dollar homes. This walk is breathtaking every time I do it.” Known by his students as Fino, he also says he’s a fabulous baker and he LOVES landscaping.

To learn more about dance and theater tours of New York City, visit: http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com.

Articles, New York City

An Art Focused Student Trip to New York City

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By Howard Clemens

Desmond Cormier is an art teacher at the Buford Middle School in Charlottesville, Virginia. He has taught at the school for 16 years. Cormier lives at a nearby farmstead with his wife, Virginia, a sheep farmer. He became an educator after many years in an entirely different profession. “My first career was a commercial deep sea diver and I was also involved in the offshore drilling industry for 17 years,” says Cormier. Thanks to the demands of his first profession, he has traveled all over the world.

Now Cormier believes his art students should gain exposure to the world through travel at an early age. Each year, Cormier organizes a student trip to New York City and invites students to take a deeper look at ‘the city that never sleeps.’

“When I was young, I toured all over the world,” says Cormier, “I think it’s a valuable experience to bring these students to New York City and let them see the world through their own eyes,” he added. Basically, Cormier attempts to schedule a class trip to New York City for those interested in taking a long weekend. Student trips to New York City took place in 2013 & 2014. In 2015, Cormier says he couldn’t get the number of students needed to travel, yet he’s planning to travel again with his students over the long term.

While on tour of New York City, students visit world famous art museums, such as the Guggenheim Museum and the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), as well as the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Cormier says this is an excellent opportunity to take in some masterpieces. “Students see these famous works of art in real life. These artistic treasures are totally different in a museum, in their original form,” he observed.

Touring such large museums may be a daunting endeavor for a teacher and his class. Cormier says “The Metropolitan Museum of Art was overwhelming and MOMA is such large museum it is hard to take it all in.” However, the Guggenheim Museum’s set-up is perfect, because, students have to go from the top down to the bottom. “The way the museum is designed, they have to see the entire collection and exhibitions,” commented Cormier.

In addition to touring art museums as a complement to their studies, students also immerse themselves in the New York City experience. Here there are exposed to the diversity of the U.S. population, by visiting immigrant neighborhoods, and experiencing a lively artistic culture as well as global cuisine choices. “We had dinner in Times Square and the kids loved the excitement of it all. It was Saturday night,” said Cormier. The student group also visited Chinatown, toured the New York Harbor, and saw the Empire State Building, among other sites.

After touring the world, Cormier eventually returned to Charlottesville, Virginia, because it’s home to him. “My wife loves sheep farming. I love Charlottesville, because I am an alumni of University of Virginia and it’s my hometown.” His daughter lives in Charlottesville with his three grandchildren and Cormier also has a son in San Francisco. His views about becoming a well-rounded artist include the incorporation of travel, consideration of great artistic works, and exposure to different cultures, cuisines, architecture and social customs.

Learn more about art tours of New York City.

Articles

Students Travel in U.S. to Learn French & Spanish: New Orleans & Puerto Rico

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by Howard Clemens

Charlemagne once said, “To have another language is to possess a second soul.” Nothing feeds the soul of another language quite like saturating yourself in the very life of that language through its culture, food and fellow travelers. And it has never been more affordable or easier to make student group travel excursions to the destinations where French and Spanish are currently spoken today. New Orleans and Puerto Rico are two of the finest locations for students looking to refine their second language skills within the United States and its territories.

Saint Louis Cathedral Tour Provides Cultural Backdrop for French in America
French thrives in the much-celebrated French Quarter of New Orleans where on Bourbon Street and Jackson Square the gumbo is as spicy as the music in the birthplace of jazz. St. Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square is said to be one of the finest surviving examples of French Colonial architecture and is the oldest Catholic cathedral in continual use in the United States. Tours of the cathedral and convent will not only enrich student language skills but will also provide historical context to the use of French in the Americas. The St. Louis Cemetery is one of the most famous cemeteries in the world, often shown in films shot in New Orleans and also found in the pages of world-famous novels like those by Anne Rice.

The French Quarter, Students Experience Culture, Cuisine, Language and Society
Part of the legacy of the French Quarter is its cuisine. The French Quarter’s aromas drift through the streets – making any tour a most delicious effort for tasting and speaking French. Mardi Gras World is a living workshop museum with an explosion of breathtaking colorful floats being built from the ground up. The tour takes the mask off the famed parade while at the same time bringing Mardi Gras to life every day of the year. Right in the heart of the French Quarter is the Jackson Brewery. Here, shops have been in operation for over a century, displaying some of the finest jewelry and clothing in Louisiana. There is also the Aquarium of the Americas, where penguins meet the Mighty Mississippi’s alligators, snapping turtles and crawfish.

Student Tours Visit the Acadian Village to Listen to Spoken French in Louisiana
Class trips into the world of spoken French in Louisiana will include visiting the Acadian Village, home of the early peace-loving settlers. Take group tours of original homes – complete with spinning wheels and beeswax candle molds. Learn how corn helped the early community thrive, giving the area its famous grits, hominy and cornbread. Corn husks were also used for dolls, hats, and incense to keep the mosquitos at bay. There are different houses featured on the tour each month, such as the Bernard House built in 1800 with its paintings of settlers first arriving.

Student travelers destined for New Orleans will absorb French culture, cuisine and language and listen to the words and sounds of French spoken in the U.S. as they explore one of the oldest cities in the United States.

Puerto Rico: a Spanish Immersion Tour
Before it was a United States territory, the residents of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico spent four centuries ruled by the Spanish. Spain’s culture and language are the living remains of its former colonial outpost, making the enchanting island one of the best excursions for American students looking for a Spanish language immersion experience, close to the Lower 48. United States citizens do not need a passport to travel to the island of Puerto Rico and the U.S. dollar is the official currency, making the island a convenient destination for student travel groups, especially.

Modern Puerto Rico offers an extraordinary variety of activities from music festivals to surfing and zip-lining through the jungle. Eco-tourists from around the world visit the island for its breathtaking valleys of lush, wild tropical fern and fauna. Tour guides and teachers alike will give hands-on experience taking Spanish out of the classroom and into the world where it lives in the everyday.

Puerto Rican Cuisine: From Ordering to Paying the Bill, Spanish is Spoken
The food of Puerto Rico is legendary. Authentic Spanish colonial foods continue to be a staple in the island dwellers diet. Rich, delicious and nourishing foods such as mofongo, asopa, and lechon, foods whose tastes and names will remain with you the rest of your life. In April Saborea is the largest food festival in the Caribbean, and attracts food specialists and writers from all around the globe. Student trips need to be booked one year or at least six months in advance to plan to attend Saborea. Travelers fall in love with Spanish-style island food on a trip to Puerto Rico.

Also consider taking student groups to the coffee haciendas where Puerto Rico’s world famous coffee beans are harvested and roasted. In this environment, Spanish is spoken widely and casual interaction with Puerto Rican locals is possible.

Puerto Rico has a rich Spanish colonial heritage, which informs the language, cuisine, culture, architecture and the ways of the people. Both English and Spanish are spoken by Puerto Rican citizens. If Spanish is what a class has come to learn, there’s a very agreeable population of native speakers (as teachers) while students tour the island.

Visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com for more information about a French or Spanish Immersion Tour of New Orleans or Puerto Rico.

Articles, New York City, Washington D.C.

A Focus on Student Art Tours of New York City and Washington D.C.

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By Howard Clemens

Artists have been challenging us to see our world in new ways for centuries. Art teachers may want to consider bringing classes on tour of museums in New York City and Washington DC that house the most comprehensive collections of art in the United States. When organizing student tours of these cities it is important to consider these museums. It is no exaggeration to say that lives can be changed for the better by visiting such collections of art. For many students, this may be their only visit to a museum in a large U.S. city. Other students may decide to live in a large city and experience the cultural life firsthand.

The Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art are the three highlighted museums for New York City. The Phillips Collection, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden are recommended stops on the itinerary for Washington DC.

On Fifth Avenue in New York City the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is one of the most recognizable and iconic buildings. The Guggenheim Museum was designed by the American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. When planning your class trip to New York City, please look at the museum’s online events calendar. Not only are there daily tours of “Art in the Round” but also there are films, and often in-depth discussions on pieces in the collection and even on the building itself. While the Guggenheim houses the private collections of art there are always new acquisitions on view. Check the timing of a student trip and coordinate attendance of special shows at the Guggenheim with a student travel company representative.

Not far from the Guggenheim is the Metropolitan Museum of Art, boasting one of the largest, most eclectic collections of art in the world. This world-class structure houses paintings, arms and armor, furnishings, sculpture and design from every imaginable worldwide location. This is an enormous museum, so please be sure to see their website to plan your visit with specific concentrations on the permanent collection as well as to view current and upcoming traveling exhibitions.

The Museum of Modern Art, known the world over as MoMA, has the most important collection of some of the most astonishing talent the world has ever seen. The permanent collection contains some of the most sought after art by Matisse, Van Gogh, Balla, Rothko, Warhol and others. One of the most popular exhibitions which is on view until January, 2016 is called, “This Is for Everyone: Design Experiments for the Common Good.” The future of design and the technology that is creating the road to that future are highlighted in this strange and beautiful exhibition.

In the heart of Washington D.C., student travel groups may visit the National Gallery of Art and the famous Phillips Collection, as well as the National Portrait Gallery and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

The National Gallery of Art features painting, sculptures, prints, drawings and decorative arts from the Renaissance to the present day. The Photographic collection dates from 1839. On a pleasant day, student tour groups can wander through the Sculpture Garden. Here students can see art from around the world and the work of artists who either studied or taught at the Corcoran College of Art and Design and went on to distinguish themselves. A Media Arts section is also part of the museum, representing contemporary artists that work in digital media.

Art lovers from around the world travel to the Phillips Collection each year to see the Mark Rothko Room, and other famous paintings like Renoir’s classic “Boating Party.” Georgia O’Keefe, Man Ray and other artists are part of the permanent collection. Paul Klee fans know about the large number of his paintings at the Phillips, and visit often. The museum’s website has comprehensive educational resources for much of the catalog. For instance Jacob Lawrence’s “The Migration Series” is featured on the website. This series of sixty paintings depicts the migration of African Americans from the South to the North in the early twentieth century.

The National Portrait Gallery houses a complete collection of original portraits of the presidents of the United States. Besides presidents, the gallery holds paintings of other great American leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. Pop culture Hollywood icons Marilyn Monroe and Woody Allen share space with musical giants like George and Ira Gershwin. A visit to the National Portrait Gallery is as much about art as it is history. There are special exhibits detailing trends in America as well as struggles. See portraits of activists for labor rights, civil rights, and Native American activist Leonard Crow Dog, among many other famous Americans.

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden has a staff dedicated to a deep understanding of art and artist. The museum mission includes the statement, “Good art should elicit a response of ‘Huh? Wow!’ as opposed to ‘Wow! Huh?’” Paintings by Francis Bacon and Joan Mitchell are part of this historic collection. The Sculpture Garden houses some of the most innovative and famous sculptors from around the world, including Brancusi, Rodin, Miro and others. Student tour groups are encouraged to visit the Hirshhorn and learn more with ARTLAB+ and special comprehensive class tours of the collections.

These museums house some of the great treasures of the United States, and visiting them with art classes is part of seeing art as a unique educational tool and framework for not only historical record, but also as a means to forge a better future for humanity and the planet. Artists are the best collaborators a teacher can have. Consider art the classroom itself. Take student groups on tour of these museums to expand their knowledge of art throughout the ages.

For more information about student art tours of New York City, Washington D.C. and other U.S. destinations, visit http://www.educatioanltravelconsultants.com.

Articles, New York City, Washington D.C.

Senior class trip ideas for NYC, Washington D.C. and Orlando

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by Howard Clemens

Senior year in high school can be life changing in so many ways. Marking the border between adolescence and adulthood, school and college (or employment), senior high school students are looking forward to a world of new opportunities but also saying some poignant goodbyes. After all, the friends that have been so important to them over the last few years will also be going their own way. That is why the end of senior year is an important milestone – important enough to mark with lasting memories.

For many, a senior class trip is the perfect way to make this time extra special. Whether it is a day trip, a few days, a week or more, this is one vacation that must be carefully planned and thoughtfully constructed.

Among the most popular senior trip destinations are New York City, Washington DC and Orlando in Florida. These vibrant, exciting places make it almost impossible for high school seniors to be bored. Read on to learn more about some great senior class trip ideas for those destinations.

High School Seniors on their Final Trip Together: New York City

NYC is a legendary student trip destination, simply because there is an almost endless list of things to see and do there. If traveling to NYC is likely to leave classmates a little tired, why not spend the first evening relaxing at one of Broadway’s legendary musicals? Wicked, Les Miserables, Cabaret and Mamma Mia are just a few of the choices available right now.

If time allows, New York City’s Chinatown district is a must-visit, and the ideal place for that after-show meal. NYC has one of the biggest Chinese communities outside Asia, and there are a huge number of authentic Chinese and other Asian restaurants and shops. Mott Street and Grand Street, in particular, are lined with Chinese restaurants, while Canal Street is a great place to go for gifts and jewelry. Also located there is The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) offering fascinating insights into the vibrant culture and history of the community.

Of course, high school seniors are music and fashion-conscious, and one of the best hangouts for the young and fashionable in NYC has to be the world famous Hard Rock Cafe. Located in the heart of NYC, it is full of authentic rock memorabilia and is a great place for a relaxed, all-American dining experience. Priority seating can be booked in advance by an educational travel company, making the lines a non-issue.

Finally, no student trip to NYC is complete without a boat tour of the harbor. High school seniors can see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. A student trip to New York City rounds off high school in truly memorable style.

Senior Class Trips to Washington DC

Although it has politics at its heart, DC is far from being a dry, administrative center – there is plenty here for high school seniors to see and do. Within eyesight of Washington D.C., on the shores of the Potomac River in Maryland, the National Harbor (NH) has a bustling waterfront that can compete with any international city. NH has more than 150 diverse shops and boutiques, over 30 eating places to choose from, a range of enticing hotels and lots of special events. Many visitors find this area hard to leave! The National Harbor is also home to the National Wheel, a gigantic Ferris wheel with enclosed gondolas that give a superb – and unforgettable – panoramic view of DC.

For culture lovers, DC has a range of theaters; so taking in a play is a popular option. For those whose preference is for adrenaline, there is the opportunity to try whitewater rafting on the Shenandoah or Potomac rivers in nearby West Virginia. More laid-back water lovers might prefer a boat tour of calmer sections of the Rappahannock River.

Orlando, Florida has Much to Offer Student Traveler

Surely no high school career is complete without at least one trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. Disney World offers a range of special offers designed especially for senior class trips, including interactive rides and programs, themed dance parties and buffet breakfasts. With a setting like that, how could anybody forget their high school senior year?

A great alternative – or addition – to a trip to Disney World trip is Universal’s Islands of Adventure, which offers rides, characters, special events and shows for every age and taste. Senior students will love Universal CityWalk, a 30-acre entertainment complex with nightclubs, restaurants, shopping and movies.

Planning a senior class trip can be challenging; with so many different tastes, interests and personalities along, it is important to offer a good mix of activities and entertainment. However, the high school senior year trip is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all. So it is important to get it right. Hopefully these ideas have provided some inspiration.

For more information on putting together a senior class trip itinerary for New York City, Washington D.C. or any other destination, visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com

Articles, New York City

A Swing Choir from Wyoming Takes Student Performance Trips to New York City and Hawaii & Wows Audiences

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by Howard Clemens

Linnea Dickson is the Vocal Music Instructor for Lovell High School and Middle School in Wyoming. “In our town there is limited cultural opportunity or variety. There are hardly any minorities in Lovell, just a few Hispanic children,’ she commented. So for the past 25 years, Dickson has been taking her Swing Choir and Choir groups to New York City and Hawaii. She varies the trip between these two far-flung locations because some middle school children attend two trips by the time they are in high school. This variation of destinations allows flexibility with the performance venues selected and the students are enriched by exposure to new places.

Every two years students from Lovell visit Hawaii. Student groups visit New York City about once every four years.

In New York City, students have performed at Carnegie Hall, the Statue of Liberty, the 911 Memorial and the United Nations building. “Student swing choir groups have even performed on church steps in New York City,” says Dickson. “We always have people stop and video tape and photograph their performance. And the children think it’s really cool that someone out in the world is watching them perform,” she added.

In New York City, student travel groups have a tight schedule that keeps them on the move. Still, they make time to attend as many as three Broadway plays. Visiting Broadway is an extraordinary event for any student of the performing arts. “This gives them a great chance to aspire to a performance career,” says Dickson. “We have seen Broadway musicals like: Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Fiddler on the Roof, The Lion King, and Mary Poppins,” she said. “We try to select a wide variety of Broadway shows. It really makes it fun for kids to have this opportunity.”

Student groups keep busy in New York City. “We are on the run morning until night,” says Dickson. “We see the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the 911 Memorial, the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), the Intrepid, Trinity Church, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and much more,” she added.”

The town of Lovell, Wyoming has only 2,300 people, and very little diversity. On the trip to New York City, students visit Chinatown, Little Italy, and even have lunch in a New York Jewish Deli. These are all new experiences for them and Dickson believes this exposure to a diverse city life is necessary for their education and personal growth.

Over the past 25 years, trips have grown in size from just 16 kids and two chaperones to 30 kids and 35 adults. “We make it open for family to travel along with children, and they often do. People come in from Calgary, California and Texas,” observed Dickson. “It’s a fun opportunity and it would cost them so much more to go on their own then to travel with the student group. Everything is included and paid for in advance for this trip: meals, airfare, bus and hotel,” she concluded.

Students actually only miss a day of school, since the Lovell school trip is always scheduled over the Easter holiday. This means less time out of school for travel and more time for out-in-the-world learning.

Having the children see a variety of cultures and hear different languages puts them in a different atmosphere. “It’s important for these kids to have the opportunity to get out and see something of the world and find out there’s a heck of a lot more than the state of Wyoming. We love it here, but it’s good to go visit other places,” says Dickson.

To find out more about scheduling performance trips to New York City, Washington D.C. and Orlando Florida as well as other destinations, visit: http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com.

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Students Travel to New York City and Washington D.C. from the Bahamas

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For the past dozen years, Angela Culmer, an elementary school teacher at Queen’s College in the Bahamas, has taken her 5th and 6th grade classes to Washington D.C., Atlanta and recently, New York City, to take part in an educational tour.

Culmer structures the custom tours with Educational Travel Consultants, a company based in Hendersonville, North Carolina. “We incorporate science, history, social studies, language and literature on these tours,” says Culmer. Teachers give the children questionnaires, instruct them to take notes and give them challenges like taking photographs and naming historic sites. “The kids love it. They soak it up,” says Culmer.

For an educator, custom designed student tours are an excellent way to synchronize a curriculum to a student trip. “I just let Educational Travel Consultants know what I want to do with my student group, and they find it for me,” commented Culmer.

While visiting Washington D.C. in 2014, students went to the National Air and Space Museum. “We spent a great deal of time at this museum. The students love the interactive exhibits, the different planes from World War II and they really loved the flight simulator,” said Culmer. Another destination in New York City they visited was the 911 Memorial (the 911 Museum was not yet open at the time of their trip). “The children have an understanding of what happened on September 11, 2001, even though they are only 10 years old. The visit to the 911 Memorial was a “reality check for them,” commented Culmer.

The other major sites visited in New York City included Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall, and a trip to Broadway to see “Momma Mia.” Culmer included these performance venues in the student trip because in the Bahamas, students “don’t get to see this level of professional performance like they do in the City of New York.”

Washington D.C is another popular place for student travelers to absorb some American history and culture. In addition to the usual visit to the White House and Capitol, Culmer schedules time at the Embassy of the Bahamas. “Students have on overview of why the Bahamas has an embassy in Washington D.C. and its purpose,” says Culmer. “If a Bahaman attends school in the United States, they must register at the Embassy, in case anything ever happens, they have somewhere to go,” she added.

Other sites visited in the Washington D.C. area included Mount Vernon and the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Culmer said the living history actors at Mount Vernon spoke directly to her students and stayed in character. The student travel group also visited the National Aquarium in Baltimore. “There are many different aquariums in the Bahamas. But there’s still a great deal to see in Baltimore, because the environment is different, there is much to learn,” said Culmer.

The student trips have been a great success throughout the years. Queen’s College music department will be sponsoring a trip to Atlanta in January of 2015 to participate in the Battle of the Bands. As far as recruiting teachers, chaperones and students to attend these trips, “They absolutely love traveling to the United States. In fact, there are usually teachers vying to go,” said Culmer.

Historical sites, cultural venues, dining, shopping and entertainment are on the itinerary for a trip to the U.S. However, Culmer believes there are even more valuable lessons to be learned from such travel. “One of the primary learning experiences of this type of trip is that children learn to travel on their own (without their family members),” observes Culmer. “Students learn to be independent and handle their own money, too,” she added. With student travel to the U.S., all of these life lessons combine to offer them a wonderful opportunity to grow intellectually and socially.

For more information on student group travel visit Educational Travel Consultants online.

Articles, New York City

For Student Travel Groups, Broadway is the Lights of American Musical History

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For more than a century Broadway has been making musical theater come to life in New York City. There has never been a better time to engage the musical than now, and there is no better place for the musical than Broadway. Start the day with your student travel group in New York City in Lower Manhattan at The Theater Museum on 40 Worth Street: http://www.thetheatremuseum.org. See the history of the famous Playbills show time magazine, the history of the showboat and other exhibitions on display. Later the student tour group can head uptown for lunch and a show.

Currently there are many award-winning Broadway musicals around Times Square. The Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder not only won the 2014 Tony for Best Musical, but Darko Tresnjak won Best Director and Linda Cho won for Best Costume Design. This new musical is taking Broadway by storm. Set in England’s elegant Edwardian era, it shows just how low some will go to make it to the top. Latest news on the cast is available at this link: http://www.agentlemansguidebroadway.com.

Jessie Mueller won Best Actress in the 2014 Tony Awards for her leading role in BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical. This musical is a story of true Americana, tracing the history of writer and singer Carole King, whose voice helped shape the sound of a generation. Mueller’s performance leaves the audience wanting more. Standing ovations after every show make it one of the best experiences today on the street of lights. For more details on the musical The Wall Street Journal calls “OUT OF CONTROL AMAZING!” please see this link: http://beautifulonbroadway.com

Disney has been bringing their magic to Broadway for over two decades. Aladdin is the latest hot ticket with the amazing James Monroe Iglehart winning a 2014 Tony for Best Actor. Aladdin brings the historic New Amsterdam Theater into a new century, with special effects and lighting that dazzle viewers. There is also the ongoing Lion King for the true Disney and Elton John fan. Few musicals have had a better selling soundtrack in history than The Lion King, which also won many awards for singing, acting, set design, writing and directing.

Les Miserables, the musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s famous novel is an ongoing classic at The Imperial Theater, continuing to wow and educate audiences from around the world with the epic tale of the French Revolution. Another longtime popular Broadway musical is now in its tenth anniversary on Broadway, and of course that means the musical WICKED. WICKED is a retelling of the classic American epic Wizard of Oz, a prequel to the original Wizard. This is the story of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glenda the Good Witch.
Another new musical getting attention is MATILDA. Based on the book by beloved children’s author Roald Dahl, Matilda is a precocious child equipped with psychic abilities and telekinetic powers that help her battle the wicked adults around her.

For fans of Frankie Valli, Jersey Boys is one more important musical on Broadway that is garnering a lot of attention. Jersey Boys is the true but classic story of rags to riches, tracing the American story of bestselling music sensation Frankie Valli and his band, The Four Seasons. Such chart topping songs as “Sherry,” “Rag Doll” and many others have become part of the American soundtrack.

Student tour groups visit New York City for a one of a kind experience at 42nd and Broadway, the place millions have journeyed to for more than a century to be entertained. Trip leaders, do not forget to take student groups on a visit to the Theater Museum and ask a travel professional to plan the trip around other art or historic museums in the city. To create an itinerary for a student trip to New York City, visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com.

Articles, Blog, Washington D.C.

Smithsonian National Museum of African Art: New Eyes on the Old World

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by Howard Clemens

Visit one of the most popular museums in Washington DC and provide for your students a window into the cradle of civilization. First Lady Michelle Obama recently said, “Learning through the arts reinforces critical academic skills . . . and provides students with the skills to creatively solve problems.”

Take student travel groups on docent-led tours of the permanent and visiting and traveling exhibitions, or let them hook into an audio device and tour on their own. The museum website has easy access forms to plan your visit for both tours and museum staff-led workshops. Specific tours – such as the Jambo tour – will be tailored to elementary, junior high or high school curricular needs.

Permanent Exhibits at the National Museum of African Art in D.C.
The National Museum of African Art is often missed by student groups visiting Washington D.C., yet it contains one of the most staggering collections of African art on display in the world. Touring the museum will complement many types of African studies in literature, the arts, politics, and more. This museum is an excellent way to incorporate diversity into any student tour of Washington D.C. and just about any curriculum.

Extensive African Photographs Available for Viewing by Student Groups
At the Museum, student travel groups will find over 350,000 items on display in the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, and that’s just one small portion of the Museum. Here students may also become familiar with the large number of African mosaics on display as well as rare sub-Saharan art on permanent loan from the Walt Disney-Tishman collection. In 2005 the Disney Foundation gave the museum 525 pieces of African art that includes a beautiful 19th century female figure carved from ivory. Since the 1960’s, this particular collection has greatly influenced the study of African art.

Artistic Dialogues Between African and African Diaspora in America
Also on display until January of 2016 is the Conversations exhibit where African art and artists are in conversation with African American art and artists. These contributions help celebrate the museum’s 50th anniversary, providing fruitful dialogue between Africa and the African diaspora. A few of the topics as part of the Conversations exhibit include “Spirituality, Power and Politics, Nature as Metaphor, and the popular Music and Urban Culture.”

Special Exhibitions
There is a special exhibition for the museum’s anniversary called “Connecting the Gems of the Indian Ocean.” The dance and music of the Omani people from East Africa are celebrated. The Al Najoom Dance Troupe is one of the most talented dance groups of Oman and they have been performing for over fifteen years, telling audiences the rich history of their culture through movement and sound. The dances they share are used for religious ceremony as well as everyday life.

Maya Angelou’s Legacy is Celebrated by Museum
The Smithsonian’s mission statement is, “To inspire conversations about the beauty, power, and diversity of African arts and culture worldwide.” The recent death of African American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou has been on the minds of museum curators and staff. Not long before her death the poet had a public conversation with the museum director Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole. You can view that conversation online at this link: http://youtu.be/e8S-mNq3ypg

Online Resources for Student Tour Leaders Preparing to Go to D.C.
Students and faculty can enjoy glimpses at the permanent collection and peek at upcoming traveling exhibitions online at this link: http://africa.si.edu. At the bottom right corner of the Home Page look for the “Radio Africa” link. Students can listen to this 24-hour radio program curated by the museum staff, sampling music from every corner of the African continent. Contact a student travel professional to arrange student group docent-led tours, or signup the class for workshops like the quilt collage workshop. There are also online galleries of student artwork made in the museum workshops or back at home in the classroom after returning from the museum tour.

The National Museum of African Art originally opened its doors with the help of Warren Robbins in June of 1964 in a townhouse that was the home of abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Today it stands a world-class museum with visitors from every corner of the globe, helping place Africa at the center of conversation on the origins of humanity. On display until September, 2015 is a commemorative exhibition: Chief S.O. Alonge: Photographer to the Royal Court of Benin, Nigeria. These historic photographs did a marvelous job documenting the rituals and regalia of the court for more than fifty years, and provide a historical record of studio photography in West Africa. There has never been a better time to bring the class to the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art.

For more information on creating a student travel itinerary of Washington D.C. that includes a visit to the National Museum of African Art, visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com.

Articles, Washington D.C.

Student Travel Groups Encounter the Ghosts of Arlington, Virginia While Visiting Washington D.C. Area

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By Howard Clemens
No student trip to Washington D.C. is complete without a stop in Arlington, Virginia. Arlington is the second largest city of the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Situated on the southern bank of the Potomac River, a stunning view of the D.C. skyline can be seen from all vantage points. While in Arlington, be sure to also visit The Pentagon Memorial, The Marine Corps Memorial and The United States Air Force Memorial. Student groups will learn a great deal about the history of the military in Arlington. In the evening, groups can look forward to seeing the hair-raising Arlington Ghost Tour, and learning about history from a different perspective.

 
Who said Virginia was for lovers? Actually, Virginia is for ghosts. Virginia is the most haunted state in America. No city in Virginia could be more haunted than Arlington, home of Arlington National Cemetery. The heroes of the United States are resting here, or according to the ghost hunters and tour guides – some of the ghosts of America’s past are not at rest at all.

Famous Ghosts Haunt Arlington

Arlington National Cemetery is one of the most haunted sites in the country. This famous cemetery is the second to the largest burial ground in the United States. It is home to the graves of many American war heroes and two U.S. presidents (John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft). Over 300,000 are buried on these green, rolling hills. Over 7,000 funerals occur here per year, adding many new apparitions with each passing season. On average, there are 28 funerals per day at Arlington National Cemetery. This is also the only cemetery where servicemen from every war in U.S. history are buried. Many apparitions of these departed souls have been spotted roaming the cemetery at night.

arlington national cemetery
The Custis Lee Mansion at Arlington National Cemetery was built in the early 1800s.

The Custis-Lee Arlington Mansion and Robert E. Lee Memorial is a haunted spot located within the cemetery. This Greek-revival style mansion was the last resting place for the Union War dead. Before this, it was the pre-war home of Robert E. and Mary Lee. Several ghosts have been spotted here, including the spirit of Mary Custis Lee herself.

 
Dedicated to American service members who died without their remains being identified, The Tomb of the Unknowns is famous for its frequent changing of the guard ceremony. It is perhaps even more famous for its high level of paranormal activity.

Visit the Kennedy Gravesites at Arlington National Cemetery

A trip to Arlington Cemetery wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Kennedy Gravesites. After President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, his widow Jacqueline decided her husband should be buried in a very public place, famously explaining, “he belongs to the people.” Thus, he was buried in Arlington Cemetery, on a slope below the Lee Arlington House. On the day of the funeral, Mrs. Kennedy lighted the Eternal Flame, which continues to burn at the head of the grave, serving as a beautiful reminder of the President’s life and lasting contributions to our country. The gravesites of the President’s esteemed brothers, Robert and Ted, are nearby, decorated with simple white wooden crosses.

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Old Post Chapel is adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery and the site of many ghost sightings.

Ghost Tales from the Old Post Chapel

Across the street from the cemetery is perhaps the most haunted Arlington site of them all, Old Post Chapel. Once used as a mourning room, so much paranormal activity has been spotted here that students will experience a ghostly chill. Constant ghostly voices and footsteps have been reported at the chapel. Locked doors have been known to swing open without any known help. Cabinet drawers swing open to 90 degrees. Loud organ music has been said to play in the Chapel at odd hours of the night. The Chapel is also home to many known apparitions. There is a small boy often seen running through the Chapel – but as soon as he faintly appears, he just as quickly vanishes. Some have heard a woman wailing in the front of the Chapel while others have seen a beautiful dark-haired Spanish lady who disappears the moment she realizes she’s being watched.

Entertainment and Dining Near Arlington

The perfect complement to one of our exciting, ghoulish Ghost Tours is a nice meal in Arlington. Arlington has a sophisticated restaurant district including well-reviewed restaurants such as Liberty Tavern, The Green Pig Bistro and Boulevard Wood Grill. For large student groups, advanced reservations are required and an educational travel company can help make these arrangements. Student groups visiting Washington D.C. also love to visit the Hard Rock Café. Looking for fun entertainment and a meal? In nearby Old Town Alexandria Medieval Madness is a great way to spend an evening. For more information on combining a student tour of Washington D.C. with a ghost tour of Arlington visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com.