Washington, DC has a special place in my heart. It was the first city I lived and worked in right out of college. Every weekend I would hop on the metro near Old Town Alexandria and ride into the city to see what was going on. There were always cultural events to attend, 5K’s or marathons happening along Independence or Constitution Ave, food trucks parked bumper to bumper, people walking or biking on the Mall, and visitors from all over the world out site seeing.
“A journey well shared is a journey well enjoyed!”
Washington DC is well known as the capital of the United States. Named for George Washington, the country’s first president, and the seat of the U.S. federal government, the city functions as an important world capital. It is also one of the most visited cities in the United States, often seeing over 20 million visitors per year.
Anytime I have the opportunity to return to DC, I not only get super excited but I count down the days until I go!
Recently I took a group of 8th graders back to my old stomping ground…our Nation’s Capital. It was another great experience because it brought back memories of when I lived there and it also reminded me of my class trips when I was in middle and high school.
Overnight field trips were some of the most exciting times of my school experience. There’s something uniquely special about being at school before the crack of dawn and loading up the buses with a hundred or more of your friends. It’s a great feeling! Everyone is tired, but the excitement of the coming adventure really ramps up your adrenaline. What makes it even better now that I’m a parent, is there’s still a lot of learning going on.
www.xoomtours.com
Did you know that my first tour to Washington, DC was 14 years ago and this is what led me to creating XOOM Tours? I am passionate about taking students “on the road” so they can engage in life and learning experiences beyond the classroom.
Over the past 14 years, I have organized and led more than 60 successful student group tours with Iredell-Statesville School District and Mecklenburg County School District. As an insatiably curious traveler myself, I believe that travel not only opens eyes – but it opens hearts as well.
One of the keys to successful student travel are the teachers who do a masterful job of integrating what is taught in the classroom with real world experiences. The history books come alive in the Smithsonian’s, at the war memorials and presidential monuments or when we lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier. You can see the “a-ha” moments from the looks on the kids’ faces. It’s exciting to watch them connect their lessons to their real-life experiences. It’s just as rewarding for the teachers too because they see firsthand how their students benefit from these opportunities.
The U.S. Travel Association conducted a study of 400 adults balanced for gender, age, race and income – half of which had taken a learning field trip, and the other half which had not — to determine the importance of field trips. The study found regardless of gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, those who take field trips have better grades (59%), higher graduation rates from high school (95%) and college (63%) and greater income (12% higher annually). In fact, 89% said educational field trips had a positive lasting impact because the field trips made them more engaged, intellectually curious, and interested in experiences in and out of school.
We live in a global society, and if you don’t experience life outside the neighborhood you grow up in, the world will pass you by.
Margy Natalie, the onsite learning manager at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum notes: “Field trips give students the opportunity to learn in a natural environment and experience things first-hand and from primary resources, rather than texts; real objects rather than photos.”
Carylann Assante, executive director Student & Youth Travel Association says exploration outside the classroom bolsters students critical thinking skills. “Today’s students are visual learners, and a field trip lets them touch, feel and listen to what they’re learning about, which helps them build on classroom instruction, gain a better understanding of topics, build cultural understanding and tolerance, and expose them to worlds outside their own.”
How does XOOM Tours make it all happen?
Each tour is an all-inclusive experience for the individual students and parent chaperones. I personally accompany and lead each tour as the Group Tour Director. Also included – Group travel insurance, hotel accommodations, luxury motor coach, three meals a day, snacks and bottled water, admission fees, privately guided on-site tours, customized trip tee shirts, and all taxes and gratuities.
Additionally, to prepare for each trip, I host parent, student and chaperone “prepare to go” meetings, gather and disseminate all trip details including updates and ongoing parent communications, provide chaperone packets, group photos and real-time updates using the REMIND mobile app.
And when we are on the trip, I am working behind the scenes to ensure a smooth trip from start to finish, communicating and coordinating with our drivers, hotel, tour guides and more to ensure a seamless experience that goes off without a hitch. Everything is taken care of so all you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the immersive experience.
Washington, D.C. Trip Highlights!
From the celebrated symbols of patriotism, the workings of the U.S. Government as seen in the White House, U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court, and the world-acclaimed inspiring monuments and museums, the sights and sounds of Washington, D.C., the Nation’s Capital, inspires millions of students every year.
Here are my favorite trip experiences!
The White House, U.S. Capitol, U.S. Supreme Court & Library of Congress
Arlington National Cemetery…Wreath Ceremony at the Tomb of Unknown Soldiers
Outdoor Monuments
National Museums
George Washington’s – Mount Vernon
I put the same amount of passion and energy into every individual or small group trip that I plan. From Educational Group Tours to family getaways to just-for-two couple’s escapes, I’m here to craft an amazing journey that’s seamlessly organized just for you.
The world is open for travel. Where would you like to go? I have a few destinations in mind…Italy, Greece, France, Germany, Scotland, Canada, Austria, Slovenia, Morocco, Maldives, Africa, Croatia, Costa Rica, Argentina or Turks & Caicos! In fact, anywhere sounds amazing right about now!! :>
As your Travel Advisor, I make sure you don’t miss out on extraordinary experiences that you may not be aware of or cannot get on your own, as they are only available through my exclusive global network of travel partners and suppliers.
If WOW is what you’re looking for, let’s get started!
