Washington Trip

 

 

The trip to Washington, D.C. is a capstone experience and an important rite of passage for students in our eighth-grade class.  For five days and four nights students enjoy a phenomenal taste of our nation’s history, government, culture, and our religious identity as Catholics.  While each year’s tour differs slightly, the trip usually includes a tour of the capitol building and visits to the Supreme Court and White House.  Our professional tour guides show off memorials and monuments—not just by driving past them, but by exploring and explaining them.  Museum visits can include one or more of the Smithsonian museums, the Holocaust Museum, and the National Archives.  Other destinations may include Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery, Ford’s Theater, the Library of Congress, and much more.

 

A visit to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception plays a key role in our annual tour.  This visit helps our students realize their role as members of larger Catholic communities, nationally and internationally.  In addition to the main sanctuary, the Basilica houses chapels donated from congregations all over the United States and the world.  Afterwards, students visit the Washington National Cathedral.

 

Our group travels to and from Washington, D.C. by airplane, then tours the different sites by private bus and licensed drivers.  We stay in beautiful hotels located just outside the capitol, with interior halls and a nightly security guard.  Students usually sleep four to a room, with upgrades available for a fee.  Meals are included, with breakfast at the hotel each day, lunch on the road, and a restaurant in the evening for supper.

 

Coach Neschich accompanies our tours and has done so for many years now.  She stays with our students at all times of the day to help guide, monitor, and watch out for them.  St. Mary Catholic School students always have that affirming and supportive adult presence and positive role model.  Coach Neschich’s personal and professional values, along with a quality tour company, ensure that our students have a safe, meaningful, and joyous experience to treasure.