Articles, College Tours, New York City

Education and Youth Services Takes Student Travel Groups from NYC on College Tours

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by Howard Clemens

Many students from New York City’s five boroughs have never been outside of the city where they live.  Some have not stayed overnight in a hotel. Educational and Youth Services has organized college tours for students interested in attending college. These tours give prospective college students from under served communities a chance to leave the city for destinations like upstate New York, Boston or Washington D.C. These student travelers explore what it might be like to live outside New York City in an academic environment with their peers.

For many entering the workforce, a job is far more lucrative with foundational training.  Sandi Rosenthal is the Senior Director of Workforce Development at Education and Youth Services in New York. She has been working with the 16-24 age group for several years, helping them to decide between college, trade and tech schools, or full-time employment.

There are lots of opportunities right in New York City for trade and technical schools and employment.  “We do take students to City University of NY (CUNY) locally, all the time.  We also explore some of the better vocational programs, such as culinary and IT schools, to expose them to these types of professions,” said Rosenthal.  “These organizations train students and they earn a certificate rather than a degree.  Often these students are placed in jobs after completion of the programs, thanks to excellent job placement services,” added Rosenthal.

Then there are the students who perform well academically or have shown promise at the community college level and want to seek an advanced degree.  Like their peers, they need to reach out and tour college campuses, to get a feel for college life. But not all students have the time or resources to leave the city and travel. Nor do their parents, who struggle with the high cost of living in New York City – one of the most expensive cities in the U.S.

So Education and Youth Services has designed a program to make sure these students have a glimpse of academic life. It’s already in its second year. “This year we are taking students to the State University of New York,” said Rosenthal.  “Choosing a college like SUNY gives those who want to attend a chance to leave New York City and they can still return to visit their families by bus or train.”   Student groups may also tour colleges in Boston and Washington D.C.. “On these types of student trips we expose them to colleges as well as some of the cultural sites in these historic cities,” commented Rosenthal.

A firsthand look at college life inspires many to begin the laborious college application process.  “Kids do apply to some of the schools they’ve actually visited,” says Rosenthal.  When students show an interest in a school, Workforce Development staff steps them through the long process of application forms and fees, SATs, and financial aid applications.   This oversight ensures that many who truly want a higher education have a chance to receive one.  “If students leave colleges they attended outside of NYC and come back home, we also work to help get them back into local colleges, taking them through the application process again,” said Rosenthal.

Workforce Development for Educational and Youth Services in New York City is a large organization. Before embarking on this project the organization put out a request for bids. Three to four organizations replied. Educational Travel Consultants (ETC) bid to design and execute these college tours was accepted. ETC is based in Hendersonville, North Carolina and has has been taking students on college tours for over five years. The educational travel company has designed college tours for specific areas of the U.S. and different types of colleges such as historically black colleges or Ivy League universities.  Often guidance counselors and teachers at the high school level will organize these college tours so students with academic aspirations have a chance to survey several colleges before making a choice about where to apply and attend.

Request a quote for college tours anywhere in the U.S.

Washington D.C.

National Museum of American History Perfect for Social Studies and History Students

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The National Museum of American History is part of the Smithsonian and is a great place for student groups to learn more about American history.

For social studies and history students, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History is a place for learning about any era of U.S. History. The ongoing exhibits are numerous and tackle larger topics such as:  The American Presidency:  A Glorious Burden, America on the Move, and American Heroes.  Some exhibits focus on a specific period in American History, such as Changing America: The Proclamation, 1863 and the March on Washington, 1963.

The artifact walls are rotating exhibits that highlight great American achievements in the arts, science, social and political organizations and more.  The quintessential American experience is explored in this museum, filled with interactive exhibits that student travelers enjoy, engaging them more deeply in the study of history.

There are even online exhibitions, such as Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life, that coincide nicely with a study of the Civil War. These online exhibits can be used by teachers to prepare for student tours of Washington D.C. in advance and to augment classroom studies.

For teachers interested in taking a class trip to the National Museum of American History, there are many options to choose from. I will suggest visits to some of the ongoing exhibits. Teachers and trip leaders should also check the National Museum of American History’s website to see which Artifact Walls exhibitions will be on view.   The Artifact Walls series are rotating and cover many topics that may be of interest to student groups.

Students of social studies and history may be studying just one era of history. Most likely, their examination of American history will span long periods of time, such as the Colonial Era, Early American History, the Revolutionary War and Civil War.  Others may be examining the early 20th Century, World War I & World War II and Social and Political Revolutions of the 1960s and 70s.   Modern American history is also of interest to many students. Groups will find it all at this museum.

Some ongoing exhibits students will benefit from include:  The American Presidency:  A Glorious Burden. With artifacts and personal items from 43 presidents in the collection there are sure to be interesting things to learn. Teachers may elect to focus on one or several presidents who governed during the historical period being studied.

Another exhibit that may be of interest to students studying the expansion and development of the American frontier is Conestoga Wagon and Hand-Pumped Fire Engine. Wagons were a necessary component of the American pioneer’s lifestyle and livelihood, enabling them to carry people and goods long distances.  The hand-pumped fire engine was also a necessity. Many were designed for use in urban areas where fires could spread to whole neighborhoods.

Lighting a Revolution is another exhibit that may be of interest to student travelers. Edison’s light bulb changed the everyday life of Americans forever, helping to introduce the use of electric lighting instead of gas or candles and electric appliances and other inventions to the free market.

The Price of Freedom, Americans at War is an exhibit that will enhance studies of many wars from the Revolutionary War period to the present day.  The use of personal narratives to tell the stories of American history is a common educational tool used in these exhibits that has the effect of bringing history closer.

Souvenir Nation:  Relics, Keepsakes and Curios is an ongoing exhibit at the Smithsonian Castle, where students can also have a snack or drink at the café and use the free wifi available.  Trip leaders may want to schedule a morning or afternoon at the National Museum of American History to have time to take it all in.

Request a quote for a history or social studies student trips to Washington, D.C.

Articles

Disney Youth Programs Ideal for Band Trips to Orlando

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Music, dance and theatre are a large part of the entertainment at Disney in Orlando, Florida. So it’s only natural that music students and those who play in high school bands and orchestras want to take trips to Walt Disney World Orlando and partake of it all.  Walt Disney was one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th Century, so seeing Disney in action is a great way to learn about the world of professional performance.

Music teachers and band trip leaders need to know that as part of a band trip to Orlando, groups can also participate in Disney Youth programs designed specifically for the student musician. For those who are searching for an adjudicated or non-adjudicated music festival, Disney Youth Programs provide this option, too.

Students who participate in Disney Youth Programs become a part of the artistic experience of Disney. Disney is a resort that has created itself anew as each decade passes, with plenty to offer the group that wants a truly interactive performance experience.  Whether it’s a hands on learning experience taught by professional performance artists or a festival where the band performs live on a Disney stage, the experience is sure to thrill and excite high school bands and orchestras visiting Disney World.

Disney Performing Arts Onstage/Instrumental
Every serious student musician dreams of performing in a professional setting. Disney provides this environment for music students by giving groups access to actual Disney recording studios and venues. The high school band or orchestra can select to perform in public on a Disney stage, and/or opt to take a workshop, too.   Take a Performance Lab, A Soundtrack Session in Instrumental or Jazz or even Music 101.

You’re Instrumental:  Disney Performing Arts Workshops
The emphasis in this Disney Youth Education workshop is maximizing rehearsal time, taking a lead from professional musicians. Students learn how to hone their site reading and music expression skills and align their intonation, balance and tone quality with the conductor’s interpretation.  As a finale, the band or orchestra has the experience of recording in a real Disney studio, performing scored music that complements a film sequence.  This workshop meets the National Standards for Arts Education as established by the National Association for Music Education.  It’s the perfect workshop to augment a student musician’s curriculum, especially one that is seriously considering this profession.

Instrumental/The Disney Honors
The Disney Honors is for the band or choir that needs feedback on performances.  The venue is the Linda Chapin Theater, designed specifically for music, with state-of-the-art acoustics offering, “aesthetic and technical perfection.”  Student groups will have the opportunity to warm up first, and then perform in front of distinguished music educators for 30 minutes.  The post performance clinic consists of evaluations by these professionals and conversation about critiques.  This unique music festival experience takes musicianship up a notch for student bands and orchestras.

Instrumental Festival Disney
This is a competitive music festival by Disney that is designed for instrumental ensembles.  It is judged by distinguished collegiate music educators from across the U.S. Band leaders and music teachers may request either competitive or non-competitive adjudication programs. The venue for Instrumental Festival Disney is The Premiere Theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park, with 900-seats and high technology for the best audio sound.

Jazz It Up/Disney Performing Arts Workshops
For those students who get excited about improvisational techniques, the Jazz it Up Workshop is a special treat.  It’s a 2 ½ hour workshop that focuses on rehearsing and recording Disney songs in jazz style.  This workshop will improve students’ skills in playing jazz. They will learn more about the importance of timing in jazz and expand their jazz vocabulary. Student musicians will have the opportunity to fine tune musical improvisational skills and other jazz techniques.  The workshop concludes with a studio recording session.  The Jazz It Up workshop meets the National Standards for Arts Education established by the National Association for Music Education.

Student musicians and teachers know how much time and energy is spent rehearsing for public performances. For music educators, there is no greater experience than bringing their band or orchestra into the public eye and having them succeed. When planning a student trip to Walt Disney Orlando, band and orchestra leaders should consider adding a Disney Youth Programs Performing Arts Workshop to the itinerary.  Request a quote for more information about a student trip to Orlando that includes Disney Youth Programs.

Articles, Washington D.C.

A New Student Travel Site in DC: Capital Ferris Wheel Set to Open this Spring

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National Harbor will have a 175 foot observation wheel opening in May 2014.

Student travel groups with a destination of Washington D.C. will want to spend some time at The National Harbor (NH).  It’s located on the shores of Prince George County, Maryland, just across the Potomac River from Washington D.C.

The National Harbor encompasses a stretch of shoreline with magnificent views of Washington D.C. and the many famous structures that dot the skyline of the nation’s capital. National Harbor visitors will have a new treat when they come in the spring of 2014: The Capital Ferris Wheel. Get ready for a ride on an observation wheel that is 175 feet above the Potomac River, providing phenomenal views of downtown Washington D.C. and the surrounding area.

The Capital Wheel

This project is a small piece of the National Harbor as a whole, which offers hotels, shopping, dining and entertainment for visitors.  While student tour groups may enjoy these activities, some groups may have limited time to further explore the National Harbor – but trip leaders will still want to schedule a ride on the Capital Ferris Wheel.

The Capital Ferris Wheel is slated for completion in May, 2014 and will be a great attraction to enhance National Harbor. Initially, developers wanted to build a Disney theme park and resort at National Harbor, but this deal fell through.

Now MGM will be building a casino at National Harbor instead, a decision that has left many unhappy.   Student travelers and educational travel companies would have benefitted more from a Disney resort than a casino.  Yet the harbor itself and the views of D.C. the Capital Wheel provides are reason enough to visit.

Representatives of the maker of the Capital Wheel, Chance Rides, call it an observation wheel, not a ferris wheel, making an important distinction.  Rather than a carnival ride, the Capital Wheel is designed for those who want a long, slow look at landmarks with a bird’s eye view of the Washington D.C. skyline.  Each ride allows for two revolutions around the Capital Wheel. Riders see views of the Washington Monument, U.S. Capital, the Pentagon, Alexandria, Virginia and Prince George’s County, Maryland.

There are other world-class cities that have observation wheels and these have proven to have great appeal for the public. The idea is to see iconic landmarks in cities like Washington D.C. from a high vantage point.  Other cities with wheels include, Seattle, Washington and London, England, among others. The London Eye reaches heights of over 400 feet and surely bedazzles visitors.

Up to eight people can be seated in each of the 42 climate controlled gondolas and it can be used year round. Students can ride it anytime between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., making it convenient to complementary activities in Northern Virginia, such as a visit to Arlington National Cemetery and/or Mount Vernon.

On a pleasant spring or fall day, student travel groups will love a visit to the Potomac River waterfront, strolling along the docks of the National Harbor Marina. If there is time for the student tour group, perhaps they can enjoy a lunch or dinner at one of the fine restaurants in National Harbor, too. If time permits, groups may take water taxi rides or even add a sightseeing cruise on the Potomac River to their itinerary. Whatever the plan when visiting National Harbor, consult an educational travel company. Their experts will help to coordinate the trip with visits to many of the other rich historical and cultural sites to visit in the Washington D.C. area.

Visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com for more information about student trips to Washington D.C. that include a stop at the National Harbor.

Articles, New York City

Broadway Musicals 2014: Fun and Appropriate Shows for School Trips to NYC

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This year, Broadway Musicals are more popular than ever with student tour groups going to New York City.  I usually recommend the most sought after tickets on Broadway to student trip leaders. This article contains my selection of musicals popular in 2014. If an educational travel company works far enough in advance (six months to one year) we usually can obtain group tickets to the performance of choice.  For many school trips, large blocks of tickets are required.  So, working in advance as much as possible is key to obtaining a block of seats for the musical of choice.

Since the popularity of Disney’s High School Musical, many student travelers are interested in attending a Broadway Musical. For some, it is an once-in-a-lifetime event. Make it special for students by making them part of the process. Teachers may discuss which musical to see while still in the planning stages of a student trip.

Here are my recommendations for student travel groups in the 2014 Broadway season:

Wicked is one of the most popular shows on Broadway in 2014.

Wicked
This popular musical offers a new twist on the Wizard of Oz, told from the perspective of the green, (bad?) witch.  Audiences will get to know Glenda, the good witch, too.  Wicked turns ideas about magic and the Wizard of Oz upside down, and does it with terrific songs and a great storyline that follows the novel, Wicked, closely.  For audiences, the stage set of Wicked will offer some special supernatural surprises showing the depths of the power of Oz with digital light and sound effects and phenomenal stage construction.  Wicked is taking the U.S. by storm, offering shows in major cities, too.  But there’s nothing like seeing Wicked on Broadway.

Mamma Mia is filled with Abba songs. Audiences sing-a-long.

Mamma Mia
Many people expect Mamma Mia to be an Abba tribute. It’s true that the musical uses Abba’s music in the Broadway Musical production. The storyline for the musical is unique, and originally written, with Abba songs woven through it. It’s about a woman in search of her real father, and on her wedding day, three of her mother’s former boyfriends present themselves. Mamma Mia is set in the era of Abba music, the 1970s, and uses retro costuming and stage sets to glamourize the period.  This musical is now celebrating its 10th year on Broadway!  Dancing Queen, and the signature song, Mamma Mia are some of the songs audience anticipate. It’s the kind of musical where you will see people dancing and singing along.

The Lion King
This epic production of Disney’s The Lion King is not to be missed. This musical has it all.   Thanks to costuming and scenery that captures the magic of Africa, an all star cast headed by Alton Fitzgerald White as Mufasa and Gareth Saxe as Scar and music and lyrics that inspire — The Lion King is one of the hottest tickets on Broadway.   In New York City there are eight performances each week.  Teachers interested in taking classes to see The Lion King need to book as far in advance as possible.

The Phantom of the Opera
This Broadway Musical has been a top running show for decades and can be considered an all time classic.  With the lyrics to The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Weber, the soundtrack has become familiar to many.  Learn more about the Phantom, a mysterious male figure who resides in the depths of the Paris Opera house, and roams the building whenever he pleases.   The Phantom is in love with Christine, a new, young chorus singer he helps teach – and catapults to operatic fame.  The costuming, scenery, music and dance are sure to thrill and captivate any student group audience.

Seeing a show on Broadway in New York City is a wonderful experience for any student.  Selecting the show is often difficult for trip leaders, because there are so many excellent, worthwhile musicals to see. This is my own selection of Broadway Musicals that are popular right now – and appropriate for student travel groups. There are numerous other plays student groups may enjoy or educators may find Broadway Musicals which parallel their curriculum in some way.  Learn more by visiting Broadway.com.

Include a Broadway musical in a school trip to New York City. Book a school trip today by visiting http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com.

Articles, Washington D.C.

Popular Smithsonian Museum for Student Travel Groups: National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC

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The National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. is a popular place for student travel groups to visit.

One of the most popular stops on a student tour of Washington D.C. is the National Air and Space Museum, part of the Smithsonian Museums.  The Smithsonian Museum is so vast it would be a huge challenge to construct a student group tour of each museum on just a four to five day visit. So, educators and student trip leaders need to be selective about which Smithsonian Museum fit best with curricular objectives.  For science, history and social studies students who want to be exposed to the evolution of air and space travel – the National Air and Space Museum is a winning choice.  Students learn through contemporary interactive exhibits designed to keep their attention.

This overview of the National Air and Space Museum will highlight major parts of it. This is a great snapshot of the Museum’s offerings, so student trip leaders can plan on which places in the Museum and exhibits to include in their visit beforehand.  Social studies, history and science teachers may be interested in using educational materials found on the website to prepare students in advance of a student trip to Washington D.C. Visit the Explore and Learn section of the National Air and Space Museum website to download classroom materials.

National Air and Space Museum Exhibits
There are so many exhibits to choose from at the Museum in Washington D.C. Some historical exhibits include: Early Flight, Apollo to the Moon and the Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight Gallery.  Exhibits that showcase contemporary technology developed by scientists include:  Lunar Exploration Vehicles, Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and Moving Beyond Earth. These are just a sampling of a long list of extraordinary topics related to air and space.

For history students, a focus on specific periods may work best. Many students study the major U.S. conflicts. See World War I; the Pre-1920 Aviation exhibit, which covers this era; and, World War II Aviation spans the 1930s and 1940s.  One of the most popular exhibits at the Museum is Spirit & Opportunity: 10 Years Roving Across Mars.  This particular exhibit focuses on notable accomplishments of two Mars Rovers and is on exhibit through September 14, 2014.  Learn more about other exhibits by visiting:  http://www.airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/mer/.

Albert Einstein Planetarium
Student groups may have time to catch a show at the Planetarium.  Shows last only 25 minutes.  Choose from Journey to the Stars, Undiscovered Worlds and What’s New in Space Science. All movies are scheduled at different times during the day, usually in half hour increments. So when student groups visit they may be able to work one movie in.

Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater
Viewing a show at the IMAX Theater at the National Air and Space Museum will cost extra for the students and chaperones in the group, but it’s well worth $7.50-10 fee.  IMAX films are as close to re-creation of reality as possible, heightening sight, sound,  and vision for the spectator.  Choose an IMAX movie that parallels nicely with classroom activities. These include:  Air Racers 3D (Watch Reno Air Races from a pilot’s view), Hubble 3D (Astronauts on a mission to save the Hubble Space Telescope), The Dream is Alive (Space Shuttle simulations), and To Fly! (A journey through the history of flight).

Public Observatory
On a group visit to the National Air and Space Museum, try to schedule enough time for students to visit the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory.  Access to the Observatory is through the East Terrace.  Hours are 12-3 p.m. Wednesday thorough Sunday, weather permitting, so there is a small window of opportunity. The reward is that on clear days students can observe the sun, the moon, and phases of Venus, as well as other sights and phenomenon.

For those interested in the development of aircraft and air travel and space exploration, a visit to the National Air and Space Museum is probably the most comprehensive view of the history of U.S. technological advances over the past century – and into the future. This is the type of Museum most students, teachers and chaperones can get excited about visiting.  To plan a student trip to Washington D.C. that includes the National Air and Space Museum, visit Educational Travel Consultants website.

Articles, Washington D.C.

Highlights of the Smithsonian Museum for Student Travel Groups Visiting D.C.

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Student travel groups headed to Washington D.C. have many different options for their itinerary.  In addition to the Capitol and the White House, student group leaders may also want to schedule time at the Smithsonian Museum.

Some of the Smithsonian Museums most popular with student travel groups are the National Zoo, the National Museum of  Natural History and the National Portrait Gallery.  Admission to the Smithsonian Museums is free. If there is enough advance planning, student travel groups can even take part in hands on educational programs.

The National Zoo in Washington D.C. is a popular point of interest for student travel groups - who want to see the Panda exhibit.

National Zoo
Like all of the National Museums, the National Zoo is free.  Students will see animals from A to Z, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates.  In the Great Ape House students will see a tribe of western lowland gorillas, their youngest family member is Kibibi who was born in 2009.  Gibbons, monkeys, and lemurs are also in the ape house where the golden lion tamarins are always a popular spectacle.  Besides the zoo’s collection, it is also the home of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) where animals are studied for conservation, evolutionary genetics, and other sciences, making it an invaluable tool for many to access.  The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center is part of the SCBI, dedicated to studying the migration of many species of birds for the sake of protecting their flight paths and habitats.  One of the other most popular exhibits is the pandas. With the birth of the newborn Bao Bao, the pandas are more popular than ever with all visitors.

The National Museum of Natural History
The National Museum of Natural History holds the distinction of being the largest museum in the world.  Student tour groups can see the live butterfly pavilion with swallowtail and monarch butterflies waking from their chrysalises.  T-Rex, triceratops and other dinosaur bones fill the gallery preserving the ancient fossil records.  The Hope Diamond, the world’s largest blue diamond is on display.  A 24-foot giant squid is also on permanent display.  This museum is one of the largest science classrooms in the world, and their education department is dedicated to inspiring us all to understand the natural world and to be better stewards of our fragile ecosystems on our planet.  The Insect Zoo is also a must-see as part of your visit, complete with a volunteer tarantula feeding.  As entomologist Thomas Eisner says, “Insects won’t inherit the Earth—they own it now.”  Students may touch, hold and ask questions about the many-legged creatures crawling around the Insect Zoo.  There are an estimated 126 million items in the museum, both in laboratory archives and exhibition halls.  This collection rivals any the world has ever seen with specimens of minerals, plants, fish, insects, birds, mammals and reptiles; it’s one of the most exciting educational tours you can take.

The National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery is the only place outside the White House to have a complete collection of portraits of U.S. presidents. The education department uses art and history to introduce visitors to the galleries.  In the Gallery, students may see performances from musicians, actors and other artists who bring the collection to life.  There are also documentary films about the lives of significant Americans and their achievements that made them great.

Besides U.S. presidents, another permanent exhibition is called “American Origins, 1600—1900.”  There are 17 galleries devoted to a chronological journey of the first contact with Native Americans to the very beginning of the 20th century.  Three of the galleries in this exhibit are devoted to the Civil War, presenting a careful lens on the years of that bloodiest American war.  The museum’s curators work hard to collect and display portraits of diverse and respected men and women who have left an indelible mark on U.S. history and our rich and ever growing culture.  Other highlight portraits include Martin Luther King Jr., George Gershwin, Rosa Parks, Julia Child, Babe Ruth, Marry Cassatt, Marilyn Monroe and many others.  The National Portrait Gallery is a must for any serious school group tour in the Washington D.C. metro area.

There are other Smithsonian Museums that are popular with student tour groups, such as the National Air and Space Museum. When it comes to planning a visit to Washington D.C. there are so many choices. Teachers and group leaders tend to focus the itinerary on curricular objectives.   Learn more about a putting together a student tour of Washington D.C., request a qu0te online by filling out a brief inquiry.

Articles, Washington D.C.

Student Travel Groups Visiting Washington DC Gain New Perspectives from Capitol Dome Repair and Restoration

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The deterioration of the dome of America’s Capitol Building has taken a toll on this notable historic structure. With the oxidation of the cast iron girders and mortar in particular, the Capitol Building is in dire need of repair.  Old paint needs to be removed, iron and stone repairs are needed and a fresh coat of paint needs to be expertly applied to one of this country’s most popular landmarks.  This important work must take place over a course of time.  The Capitol Dome in Washington D.C. is a marvel of engineering built during the American Civil War and was subject to the pressures of that era.  Now it will be stabilized and improved using contemporary engineering methods.

Over the years, many structural pieces have already been removed from the Capitol as the building has degraded. But the pieces have been removed to protect passersby below. Now a thorough repair to the Capitol dome will begin, and with it will come a new look at historical perspectives of its design and construction for student travel groups.

The U.S. Capitol Building's iconic dome is an American legacy that must be properly preserved. The Capitol Dome is under renovation to improve its structure.

While the improvements to the Capitol are underway, a vast system of white canopies will be installed to protect the public.  The doughnut shaped configuration of the protective canopy will be lit from within at night while workers reconstruct the dome.  Most work will take place in evenings and on weekends, leaving time and space for student tours of Washington D.C.  In many ways this is the best possible time to be a visitor as tours will include much added information surrounding the reconstruction:  the original engineers, proposed drafts, materials, symbolism, and challenges to building in the midst of the bloody Civil War.

Student groups visiting Washington D.C. will take the official U.S. Capitol Building Tour. This is one of the best tours in D.C., with extremely knowledgeable guides who will help history and social studies students become informed about the Capitol’s history and recent renovations. Capitol Building tours take student groups through the vast halls of national sculpture, paintings and tapestries.  Tours begin in the orientation theaters for viewing the short educational film titled, “Out of Many, One.”  All official tours start at 8:50 a.m. and at 3:20 p.m., every Monday through Saturday.  Have a student travel company with experience in organizing educational trips to Washington D.C. schedule the Capitol tour well in advance, to ensure a visit.

Be sure to be part of the special tour “Capitol and the Congress During Civil War.”  This special tour is in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, and will include exclusive stops at the Old Supreme Court Chambers. Be sure to ask a student travel company representative for passes to this special tour.  There are a limited number of passes given out each day, and the tour begins promptly at 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The U.S. Capitol Dome was constructed during the Civil War era. Learn more about the repairs that are being done on this historic landmark.

The Capitol offers another special tour that is offered Monday through Friday at 2 p.m.:  the Brumidi Corridors Tour.  Designed by Constantino Brumidi in the mid nineteenth century, these corridors are unique in their mastery of painting and tile work.  This tour is approximately thirty minutes in length and takes groups through the Senate wing on the first floor of the Capitol.  The tour guide will discuss the exquisite paintings on the walls and ceiling of the corridor.  There is no other corridor like it, and this tour is strongly recommended.

Every Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. in Exhibition Hall there is a special thirty-minute program called, “Exhibition Hall Family Program.”  This talk details how the Capitol was expanded over time and how it impacts the laws and what goes into making legislative decisions that change all of our lives.

Students may also visit the restaurant or gift shop in the Capitol Building on the lower level of the Capitol Visitor Center. It is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. The restaurant serves a wide variety of soups, salads, special entrees, pizzas, and desserts – all recipe items designed to reflect the different regions of the United States. The gift shop specializes in merchandize inspired by the U.S. Capitol’s art and architecture.

Learn more about a school trip to Washington D.C.  Or, request a quote by filling out a short inquiry online.

Articles, Washington D.C.

Library of Congress: an Essential Part of Student Trips to Washington D.C.

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by Howard Clemens

A student trip to Washington D.C. would be incomplete without a tour of the greatest library on Earth. The Library of Congress in Washington DC first opened its doors in 1800. Ever since then the library has been working hard to serve the Congress and the American people, not only as an invaluable library for the Congress, but to further the creativity of the nation. Besides providing a congressional research service, the library also hosts the American Folklife Center, the American Memory project, the Center for the Book, as well as the Poet Laureate.

When the British attempted to destroy the library in 1814 by burning the capitol and pillaging the thousands of bookshelves, retired president Thomas Jefferson offered his own personal library as replacement. Jefferson was said to have the finest library in the United States at the time, and in 1815 congress accepted his nearly 6,500 books. History, philosophy, literature, and fine arts books made up the Jefferson collection. The Jefferson Building was built after ratifying all published materials should have two copies sent to the library.

Main Reading Room, Library of Congress, Jefferson Building, Washington D.C.

Exhibitions at the Library of Congress

Exhibitions currently running include The Civil War in America. There are 200 unique items on display, including many on display for the first time. Teachers can encourage students to read and comment on an ongoing blog of Civil War Voices available on the Library of Congress website. Also newly on display is Abel Buell’s map of the United States. There were only seven copies made in 1784 of the newly independent nation, having broken away from England. There is a copy of the original map on display at the library, not to be missed! There is also a copy of the first draft of the Gettysburg Address on display, something everyone will want to see and talk about!

History of U.S. Science, Technology and Business in Library of Congress

There is a remarkable collection of prints, photos and recordings on American science, technology and business, from extremely rare paintings of birds by John James Audubon to Sigmund Freud’s letters. There is also an exhibit on the 100th birthday of the Harley Davidson motorcycle, and the inventions of the telephone and dreams of flight becoming a reality. The establishment of Yosemite National Park and other land conservation initiatives are also part of the collection, including details on the evolution of the conservation movement from 1850 to 1920.

Besides the amazing array of American scientific and historical maps, letters, photos and objects on display, there is also a very large collection documenting the performing arts including theater, music and dance at the library. Photographs, music scores and recordings are housed at the library, including American Yiddish sheet music currently on exhibition from the Irene Heskes collection. Much of this collection originates from the Lower East Side and Bowery of New York City from 1880 to the mid twentieth century.

Student Travel To DC: Viewing America in Retrospect

Another popular exhibit is “100 Years Ago Today,” where newspapers from 100 years ago are displayed from the very date of the student group’s visit. For instance student groups can view papers like The Washington Herald, The Amarillo Daily News, and The Tombstone Epitaph. It is fascinating to see what was going on exactly a century ago when visiting the Library of Congress. A century of newspapers from every corner of the United States are on display, such as The Salt Lake Tribune and the Tulsa Daily World.

From the history of advertising to American literature and culture – many subjects can be explored at the Library of Congress, an essential stop on any student tour of Washington DC. Other topics for social studies and history students include: wars, religions, immigration documents and the great American Expansion. The history of Civil Rights, Women’s Rights, and the history of Native Americans can be found, read, studied, and explored at Library of Congress, too. From little towns to big cities, the United States has done one of the best jobs the world has ever seen in documenting a nation’s history and culture.

Learn more about student travel to Washington D.C. visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com.

Articles, New York City

Student Travel to NYC: Ellis Island Reopens

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One of the most popular and most visited national monuments in the United States, Ellis Island, is now partially reopened after receiving devastating blows from Hurricane Sandy in October 2012.

Preparing Students for a Trip to New York City to See The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Prior to a class trip to New York City, teachers often encourage students to spend time in the classroom viewing the Statue of Liberty’s various webcams. There is the Crown Cam, the Torch Cam, and even a full panorama live streaming cam.  In 1916 access to the torch was restricted, making these webcams the first ever completely unobstructed view of the New York harbor in generations.

Webcams are a great way to familiarize students, but taking a boat trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is a once in a lifetime adventure for many who have never visited NYC or this historic site before.

Thousands of people are back to visiting the State of Liberty again each day after interruptions from damage by Hurricane Sandy, and the Federal Government shutdown in October 2013.   Did you know Lady Liberty’s face (not including the crown) is eight feet high?  This 225-ton statue was a gift to the United States from France in 1886 to commemorate the important friendship between the two nations during the American Revolution.  The statue was 350 pieces that had to be shipped to New York harbor then reassembled, a giant metal puzzle representing the brave fight for liberty.  The famous Emma Lazarus poem “The New Colossus” from the voice of the statue ends with the remarkable reminder, “Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, / I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

An incredible, breathtaking journey awaits all students who visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.  Over twelve million weary, overwrought human beings passed through Ellis Island between the years 1892 and 1954.  More than half a century of immigration occurred in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty, first designated as a check in point by president Benjamin Harrison.  The Native American’s called Ellis Island Kioshk, or Gull Island because of the abundant oyster beds the birds would feed on.

Many history and social studies teachers know that one of the most important places in the United States to visit for a significant historical and cultural reference is Ellis Island.  Students can learn more about immigration to the United States during the years of growth and even investigate their own ancestry – provided they come prepared with information.

The American Immigrant Wall of Honor on the Ellis Island tour is astounding and has the effect of connecting many to their history as immigrants. The wall overlooks the Statue of Liberty and is the longest wall of names in the world, and you can join fourth and fifth generation Americans pouring over the wall looking for long lost relatives from Ireland, Italy, Germany, and other countries.

The People of America Center is the newest expansion of Ellis Island’s historic landmark built to preserve the countless stories of the families who came to make this one of the greatest nations on Earth.  The exhibits are interactive and engaging, with stories ranging from the pre-Colonial immigration patterns to the great potato famine of Ireland.

The Flag of Faces exhibit is one of the most popular interactive displays at Ellis Island to date.  Individual American faces set into the mosaics of red, white, and blue to make the American flag.  You too can have your face and the faces of your family included in this project while it is still in process.  Ask about this opportunity when visiting, or check out the Ellis Island Foundation website for additional details.  You want to make sure to stop and spend some time with the Flag of Faces exhibit when on tour at Ellis Island.

The American Family Immigration History Center is one of the true highlights of any tour to Ellis Island.  This engaging interactive exhibit allows visitors to access immigrant boat passenger records of more than 22 million people.  When visiting students should come prepared by bringing the full name of an ancestor, their ethnicity, and approximate landing time in the Port of New York or Ellis Island. Chances are good these inquiries will result in seeing actual data on the first day the first member of a family stepped foot on American soil.  There are also photos of ships and manifest records to be viewed, as featured on The Today Show on broadcast television.

Student trip leaders may now plan trips that incorporate a visit to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Now is the time to start going back to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, since many repairs have been made. The entire facility is not yet ready for the complete tour.  Expect renovations on the rest of Ellis Island to be underway during 2013 and 2014 – until complete.

For more information on booking a student travel group on a tour of New York City that includes a visit to Ellis Island and other destinations, visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com.

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