My daughter desperately wants to go on the school Washington DC trip next April. The school just yesterday sent home registration information. Total cost of the trip is about $1300 + refund insurance of $139 for three nights and four jam packed days of touring.
This price seemed less expensive than our other school district, but they may have been gone longer. And I don't specifically remember the price.
I'm leaning towards letting her go, as long as she puts some skin in the game. I think she could save her own money for souvenirs, and help with school fundraising efforts. It sounds like the fundraiser is an easy sell of a coupon book to one of the big grocery stores here in town. It cost's $10, and the buyer gets plenty of coupons that guarantees their $10 back and more. Not sure what the return is to the fundraiser.
First hesitation is that we have to register with a $49 down payment by June 6. Talk about fast decision making! Can make payments but there are additional charges and the price can go up if you don't pay in full. Not sure how likely that is to happen or how much that would be.
Second hesitation is that this is one trip my husband and I really want to take our whole family on in the next two years. So it seems slightly redundant.
We'll be discussing that here at home this weekend! Would you send your child on this type of trip? Have you already? Was it worth it?
School Washington DC Trip
May 17th, 2013 at 03:18 pm
May 17th, 2013 at 03:24 pm 1368800688
May 17th, 2013 at 03:34 pm 1368801241
We could make payments without additional charges.
Same son also went to New York but said wasn't near as good as DC.
I am already making payments for daughter to go to DC in January. 3 nights/$1000. $100/month for 10 months.
May 17th, 2013 at 03:41 pm 1368801704
On the west coast we always did Disney trips. It seems to me that they were extremely inexpensive for what they were. In a household where I was taught to pay for things I wanted this is the one item my parents always splurged and never made a big deal about. Which makes me wonder about the cost, but there is no way they would have said yes *every single year* if it wasn't a good deal.
I am not comparing DC to Disney - it was just the only school trip I was ever offered as a child, being on the west coast. SO is just my frame of reference.
May 17th, 2013 at 03:45 pm 1368801920
May 17th, 2013 at 05:29 pm 1368808158
When we all went to DC the following August [terrible time to go - it was sidewalk melting hot] DS1 was our tour guide and knew the most important highlights at places like the Smithsonian Museum which would need the total vacation to see all the important displays. He made up a 'highlight' booklet which is still part of our memorabilia box and knew the best places to eat for the least cost since DC is very expensive.
May 17th, 2013 at 06:09 pm 1368810593
May 17th, 2013 at 07:18 pm 1368814717
This is one of the coming of age trips that make young people more into adults. It is one of the few things she will have as a life long memory.
ESPECIALLY IF $$ IS NOT A PROBLEM
Our oldest has done it, and our 2nd will do it next year.
AND WE WENT AS A FAMILY THE YEAR BEFORE!!
THere is sooooooo much to see and learn going twice is not bad!! The teacher's perspective is going to be incredibly important as this is EXACTLY what they are reading and trying to convey in their class.
THE TRIP IS WAY MORE THAN JUST WASH DC!
Our school spent about 1/2 the time in Virginia and other very important environs. My son's favorite place was Gettysburg!! I was surprised, as that is a fairly low key spot, but the explanation on the spot really hit home for him.
OK, nuff shouting
May 17th, 2013 at 08:40 pm 1368819631
May 18th, 2013 at 03:31 am 1368844293
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May 19th, 2013 at 08:20 pm 1368991242
May 20th, 2013 at 02:07 am 1369012024
May 21st, 2013 at 07:37 pm 1369161461
We sent all four of our girls, and they learned so much about what they were seeing and about themselves. This trip was the first time in an airplane for each and the first time far away from us for a period of time. They learned to keep track of their belongings, parcel out spending money, get along with a variety of other kids in group situations, and made new friends (none of the girls had any of their friends group on the trip.) And they really visited a lot of places.
While we covered camping trips across the US for the family, my husband and I hoped the DC trip would lead to future travels afar for the girls, and it has! Lots of band-related trips, girl scout trips and trips with friends. The latest send-off was last Saturday, sending my oldest on a college study abroad to Italy and England.