Tag Archives: educational travel

A Black History Tour of Washington D.C. and Baltimore

For many student travelers, immersing themselves in the diverse history of our nation’s origins is a part of their curriculum. My company, Educational Travel Consultants, developed a black history tour to highlight the historical landmarks and sites that describe this important human component of our heritage as a nation.

Following is a summary of some major points of interest for the black history tour of Washington D.C. and Baltimore. Student travel groups who take the Black History Tour of Washington D.C. focus on these sites as opposed to traditional stops such as the White House and the Capital. The black history tour can be customized to include major Washington D.C. sites, too.

Frederick Douglas Historic Home
One of the most literate and well-respected leaders of the abolitionist movement of the 19th Century was Frederick Douglas. His home in Washington D.C. was designated an historic site in 1988 and is now managed by the National Park Service in Washington D.C. Douglas’ legacy is one of a lettered man who fought for the oppressed. He had four children and 21 grandchildren, and they frequently gathered at his home on holidays and special occasions.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Library

The main branch of the District of Columbia Library system in Washington, this building is an example of modern architecture and it’s predominance of glass, steel, and brick. The King Mural © painted by Don Miller is on display in the front lobby. This work encompasses a lifetime of work on social justice issues. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Library is a testament to King’s influence on American life and racial politics.

National Museum of African Art
The National Museum of African Art is part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. The works that are in the collections here represent the diversity of arts from the African continent. A portion of the art in the collection is aesthetically pleasing and utilitarian as well. The National Museum of African Art includes ceramics, tiles, furniture, tools and masks, figures and musical instruments as well as traditional artistic forms such as painting, printmaking and sculpture. Student travel groups will be exposed to “Africa’s rich cultural diversity” when they explore this unique collection.

Great Blacks in Wax Museum

Located in Baltimore, Maryland, just a short one hour bus drive from Washington D.C., the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum is a favorite of student travel groups. Historical and contemporary figures of African American history are recreated in life-like wax figures in this museum. This is a great way for student travel group to learn details and stories about the oft neglected African Americans in history.

Morgan State University
Another Baltimore stop on the Black History Tour is Morgan State University, a 130 year old institution that has historically served a multi-racial and multi-ethnic student body. As one of Maryland’s premier state universities, Morgan State University has held a role of distinction throughout its history. Student travel groups may tour the historic campus and learn more about Morgan State University’s distinguished alumus.

Benjamin Banneker Memorial Circle
This Memorial circle is an actual traffic circle located in downtown Washington D.C. Student travel groups can visit the Benjamin Banneker Memorial Circle en route to other destinations to see this historical marker. Benjamin Banneker helped survey the 10 mile square piece of land that was later to become Washington D.C. Banneker was a man of science who left a lasting imprint on the African American community of Washington D.C.

Metropolitan A.M.E. Church
Also known as “The Cathedral of African Methodism” the Metropolitan A.M.E. Church is a place where African American community has gathered since the 1800s. Many distinguished political figures have spoken from the pulpits of Metropolitan A.M.E. church, including Frederick Douglas, William Howard Taft, and Jimmy Carter. This gothic style church was built by black artisans and can seat 2,500 people. It is truly a public meeting place for the African American community in Washington D.C. and is an important stop for the student travel tour with a focus on black history.

The specially designed black history tour of Washington D.C. and Baltimore is a great way to familiarize a student travel group with the diversity inherent in our country’s history. Educational Travel Consultants also offers a black history tour of Alabama and Atlanta. For more information visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com.

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Educational Student Tours of Walt Disney World Promote Active Learning

The Disney YES programs are a student favorite when touring Walt Disney World. I have escorted student tour groups to Walt Disney World with and without participation in Disney YES programs. Students seem to really prefer at least some participation in Disney YES programs, because it gives them great insight into backstage at Disney, how it operates, and the talent that drives the scenery.

Behind the Scenes at Walt Disney World
It’s exciting to tour Epcot Center, and MGM Studios. But to know what kind of imagination, training, tools, and techniques go into work behind the scenes is sometimes even more powerful. While on educational student tour of Walt Disney World, students need more than exposure to the rides and exhibits to gain a greater understanding of the way to work in their chosen profession.

Many types of student groups can benefit from Disney YES programs, which are geared towards a variety of fields.

Educational Travel in Arts and Humanities
Students in Arts and Humanities can learn about the “Magic Behind the Show” or they can delve into the realm of animation magic or learn about American history through “The American Story.” There are lots of options for students on a high school band trip, high school musical tour, or a performance tour of Orlando Florida. High school choirs, orchestras, theater students, and more can benefit from these great behind the scene workshops by Disney.

Disney YES Programs Geared to Science Education Tour Groups
Educational travel to Orlando Florida need not be entertainment only for other types of student groups. It can be filled with wonder and excitement for the student in natural and physical sciences as well. Disney YES programs like “Team Up For Wildlife” teach students sound methods of ecological preservation in marine and wildlife environments. In the field of physical sciences, Disney YES programs such as “How Things Move” and “Energy and Wave” provide tangible examples in the park that illustrate the operation of light, sound, and magnetism. Students learn how scientists manipulate these elements.

Disney YES Programs for the Ecologically Empowered Student
Finally, Disney YES programs contain a component for marine and wildlife sciences students on educational tour. “Keepers of the Kingdom” allows students to interact with some of the animals and their keepers at the Magic Kingdom®. “Making Waves with a Marine Career” gives students on tour guidance in marine science, and insight into real jobs that might be held in the profession.

Whatever your field of academic study, consider a Disney YES program when visiting Orlando Florida. Students will come back with great memories of their trip, and a new perspective on their field of study.

Itinerary for an Educational Field Trip to Orlando

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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