Registration for D.C. trip now open

CAPITOL IDEA—Eighth-graders from Lindero Canyon and Medea Creek middle schools enjoy a trip to the nation’s capitol last year as part the annual excursion to Washington, D.C. and colonial Williamsburg hosted by the Las Virgenes Unified School District. Registration has begun for students who plan to participate in the annual tradition of touring Washington, D.C., colonial Williamsburg and Gettysburg for a week during spring break.

The trip is open to all local students in eighth grade or above, said Donald Zimring, deputy superintendent of Las Virgenes Unified School District and longtime organizer of the trip along with Tom Johnsen, a teacher at Calabasas High School.

Johnsen said since the trip is a non-school activity, the schools will not provide any information. Parents will need to attend one of the five informational meetings, all starting at 7:30 p.m. The meetings will provide an overview of the trip, a slideshow of previous trips and a question-and-answer period.

The meetings have been scheduled on following dates:

Thurs., Oct. 6, Sumac Elementary School, Agoura Hills

Mon., Oct. 17, Sequoia Middle School auditorium, Newbury Park

Wed., Oct. 19, Colina Middle School cafeteria, Thousand Oaks

Thurs., Oct. 20, Medea Creek Middle School gym, Oak Park

Wed., Oct. 26, A.C. Stelle Middle School multi-purpose room, Calabasas

“We have learned so much from the past years that we have been able to continually finetune our itinerary to ensure the best trip possible,” said Johnsen. “The entire cost of the trip, including airfare, lodging, all meals, evening activities, sightseeing and tips is $1,281.”

Students will spend a full day at the Smithsonian Institute, including the National Air and Space Museum. They’ll attend

a performance at the Kennedy Center and visit several memo

rials, including the National Horials, including the National Holocaust Museum.

The tour focuses on the Civil War, so visits to the battlefield at Gettysburg and Ford’s Theater are also scheduled.

Although the trip is considered an adventure by the students, education is still the primary focus, said Zimring.

“We develop the itinerary as if it were a lesson plan,” Zimring said. “We know that the students will have fun, but we also know that this can be an incredible opportunity for teaching as well,” adding pre-trip classes will be conducted so students will appreciate the experience.

“During the classes, we review everything from the history of the city to contemporary issues before Congress,” said Johnsen. “When they arrive, they aren’t just looking at buildings…they are entering a huge classroom geared for nonstop learning.”

Last year, two new destinations were added to the itinerary—the newly dedicated World War II Memorial and the new Museum of the American Indian. Students will once again visit the World War II Memorial, but will only get a glance of the stunning architecture at the Museum of the American Indian.

Organizers said than more than 8,500 students have participated in the trip, now in its 29th year.

The tour of colonial Williamsburg has been popular with students. The town exists exactly as it did in 1775. “It is living history at its best and has consistently been a highlight of the tour,” Zimring said.

For more information, call Johnsen at (805) 499-1569 or Zimring at (818) 991-9059.