8th grade to Washington, DC
2023 dates coming soon!
2023 Dates to come soon!
How do I register for the 2023 trip
coming soon!
UPCOMING EVENTS!
Visit the Academic Expeditions Washington, D.C. itinerary website
Trip details
Dear Parents of DC travelers and adult chaperones,
Our Washington DC trip is one month away and we are in the final phase of preparation. Below is a checklist of items that need to be completed by every traveler. I have attached all of the links and documents to complete this checklist. Thank you for your help and attention to these items.
The trip leaves on at 5:30 in the morning, but that means travelers need to arrive at Smart at 4:30 a.m. The trip leaves at 5:30 so don’t be late or you will be left behind. We need a full day of travel to make our appointment to tour the Gettysburg battlefield.
The trip returns on Friday. We plan to arrive at 10:00 p.m. but we could be earlier or later. Students will call as we get closer to give a more accurate arrival time so parents will be here to pick up when we arrive.
While in DC we will be staying at:
New Documents Needed.
1. Every traveler including students and adult chaperones must complete the Extended/Overnight Field Trip Parent Notice. The document is attached and must be completed and returned to Smart by the first week of March. This document is required of adult travelers because it includes Medical Insurance information that may be necessary in the unlikely event that medical attention is needed.
2. Every student along with their parent need to review and sign the Washington DC Student Behavioral Contract. This document must be completed and returned to Smart Middle School by March 4th.
3. Parent Chaperones only must complete an 2022-23 Criminal History Volunteer form. The document is attached and must be completed and returned to Smart by March 4th.
4. The Authorization to administer Medication is for students who will be taking medicine on the trip. If your child already takes medicine at school and we have this form on file you do not need to provide it again. You will need to turn in medicine for use on the trip to Ms. Hildreth the morning of the trip. The document is attached and must be completed and returned to Smart by March 4th. (we have previously asked for this document and it is listed here as a reminder)
5. If you have not done so yet please order your, MUST WEAR, trip sweatshirt by Feb. 18th. That is this Friday. I have been asked can we use any of the DC Shirts? Yes, in fact is you have shirt from a previous trip you may wear that one as well. The important thing is that students and parents are easily identified by our bright yellow Smart wear. Order here chsmartgear.com/DC
6. Attached is the packing list. Pay particular attention to the point that travelers should pack light as they must be able to move all of their own bags.
Thank you for your attention to this list. Please call if you have any questions or concerns.
Sweatshirt ordering
Dear DC Travelers,
One of the unique and vital safety procedures for out DC trip is the bright yellow sweatshirt that students and Parent Chaperones MUST wear at all times while on tour. I know that seems crazy to those that have never been on trip like this but it is important. We can identify at a glance all of our students and students can immediately identify a parent chaperone even if they don’t know them.
Each traveler needs to log onto this website and order their FREE DC hoodie. You may also order other bright yellow DC travel wear at your own expense. I recommend going one size bigger so that you can layer other clothes under your sweatshirt on cooler DC days. If you don’t order a sweatshirt by the FEB. 18th Deadline I will order you an Extra Large adult sweat shirt. But, please order, the first one if free!
Sweat shirts are delivered to the school and we hand them to you the morning of the trip.
Order here chsmartgear.com/DC
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What if the trip is cancelled? See the information below about refunds and cancellation insurance purchasing.
Q. What else happens besides riding the bus for ten hours on Tuesday and Friday?
Q.What about eating on the days of bus travel? Do the students need to pack food? We provide all of the meals, starting with a bagel and yogurt lunch on Tuesday. For lunch on Tuesday we give the students money to but lunch at a travel food court. We head home after lunch on Friday but we make arrangements to have a dinner (well, sandwich) delivered so that the students have a chance to eat on the way home.
Q. What is the itinerary? We will have a full itinerary soon. When planning for a large group, given weather and other unforeseen circumstances, the itinerary is a good reflection of what we will do but it remains flexible.
Q.How are roommates determined? Each student, or pair of students will be asked to select their trip partner. This trip "buddy" will go with them everywhere. They will be on the same bus and in the same hotel room. Once buddies are selected the pairs will have a chance to choose another pair to room with. These selections will be made and posted on a google document available to all trip participants once we know who is going. For those students that would like, we have an after school buddy selection meeting so that people can pair up and find roommates.
Q. What about beds, are they shared? Each hotel room has two queen beds. Four students are assigned to each room. Students share a bed. I have heard of students taking turns sleeping on the floor half the time but most are so tired they just sleep.
Student and Parent Forms
Medical release forms and authorization to administer medications
Travelers attached is a Medical Release form for the DC trip. Every traveler, students and chaperones, need to have this document on file with us before we leave.
If a student takes medicine at school, we have the appropriate paperwork, we will collect the medicine for the trip the morning of departure if we need more.
If a student takes medicine beyond the school day, in addition to what we already administer, or takes a prescription that we never administer
All medicine will be bagged and labeled and a staff member will be assigned to make sure all medicine is administered at the correct times.
If your child already carries and administers their own medication the authorization is already on file with the school and nothing further needs to be done.
See the forms above