The Spring Trip: Philadelphia!

Did you hear the news? We went on quite a field trip recently. Indulge us by take a look through our vacation photos in this post! 

Our first museum stop was one that we just happened upon: The Ohio Turnpike Museum, located in one of the travel centers. Presumably, this was a creative way to use the space when a Sbarro or a Panera lost their lease. It was my fondest hope that this would be the least interesting museum on our trip, and I believe it was. 

Wild Chicken?

Ah, the Spring Trip! It's a Summers-Knoll tradition, and for most of the fifth and sixth graders, it's a rite of passage. Four days and three nights with your class and teacher, often far, far from home. We spent at least twenty (20!) hours on the buses together, traveling well over 1000 miles to downtown Philadelphia and back again. Along the way, we encountered traffic, car sickness, the Appalachian Mountains, and one wayward chicken at a rest stop in the middle of the night, deep in Pennsylvania. 

This was the third Spring Trip that I've led, and they have all begun and ended in the same way: Nervous parents saying their goodbyes on Tuesday morning, and relieved parents picking their kids up on Friday night. 

As a teacher, I've found I get a lot of credit for this. "Four days with this group?" "You're brave!" "You deserve a raise!" And while I agree with the part about deserving a raise, I must politely brush off all of the other stuff. Because while the Spring Trip is a significant investment of time and energy, I LOVE IT. It's one of my absolute favorite things about the school year. It's a tremendously fun endeavor, and it's a pleasure and a privilege to be a part of. 

First of all, it's a genuine thrill to be given such broad latitude to conceive and plan the thing. The executive directive is essentially this: "Here is a budget to work with, now go plan a trip that you and your students will find engaging and meaningful." 

It should be noted, frequently and in reverent tones,
that Karen celebrated her 50th birthday while on
this trip. As far as I am concerned, she is the hero
of all of these trips. 

It's a big responsibility. Karen, Sam, and I spend much of the year brainstorming, researching, and revising these trips. Fortunately, we are small enough that we're able to be very mobile and adaptable, but just large enough to get group discounts. Each trip, we plan a well-rounded set of destinations, some tied to our class studies, others that introduce new concepts, and still others that are simply too interesting to pass up. 

And while the destinations are always interesting and valuable, my favorite aspect of the trip is witnessing the hundreds of tiny victories achieved by these kids as they practice navigating out in the world in charge of themselves. 

For example, at the Reading Terminal Market, each student was given a ten dollar bill, a partner or two, and the directive to go out and buy lunch. The market has dozens of food stands, none of which are chains that can be found in Michigan. Watching the kids fan out and assert themselves to select a meal seems like a small thing, but it was a big deal to most of them. Some kids had never ordered for themselves before. Many weren't used to budgeting their own money for a meal. Stepping up to a lunch counter and placing an order is effortless and automatic for an adult, but for a fifth or sixth grader, it can be an intimidating experience. On a family trip, an adult would likely be handling this. On a class trip, it's up to them. (Of course, we would have jumped in had anyone needed assistance, but the beauty is that they figure it out on their own.) 

As I wandered the market, keeping discreet tabs on everyone, I happened upon scene after scene of our students working things out. Here, for example, is Maddy, perched high up on a counter, placing her order. The situation was such that being meek would have meant not being seen and not being able to order. Maddy climbed up so that she was clearly visible and took charge of the situation. 

Meanwhile, here are Ella and Becca, showing off the results of pooling their money together with Juna to get several different things, some shared, some not. 

We had nineteen kids on this trip, each with their own tastes and dietary needs. Everyone found themselves a great meal, and they did it (largely) on their own. It's an empowering thing. 

There are many other tiny victories. We took public transportation all day on Wednesday and Thursday. Many kids learned how to read subway maps, getting a crash course in train, trolley, and taxicab etiquette along the way. At the dorms, we had room keys and meal cards that they had to keep track of. Security officers and guides spoke to the children, not to the chaperones. Kids learned how to work the waffle iron at breakfast. They learned the value of budgeting their souvenir money. Choices were made about what sites to see, and which ones to pass on. (Sorry, Betsy Ross House. We weren't in the mood when we walked by.) 

Here is a hodge podge of photos to comb through. For even more, check out our Twitter feed by clicking here. 

After sitting for several hours on the bus, these youngsters couldn't wait to sit down in the pavilion at Fallingwater. 

This isn't a great shot, but you're not allowed to take photos while in Fallingwater. So here are the only photos of S-K kids inside the building. You can make out Jarod's head, Sophie, Will, Becca, and Owen. 

Here's our class demonstrating the concept of cantilevers. 

We had a great group of chaperones on this trip, some who were along for the entire trip, others who popped in and out at various attractions. 

There were many selfies taken on this trip. 

Many, many selfies. 

Earbud sharing

Sam's class at Fallingwater.

Here's Juna, as viewed through the bus window as I pumped gas. 

Nick and Kaz through the bus window as I pumped gas. 

Not every culinary choice was one that I completely agreed with. 

Taking the subway

On the subway

Chocolate organs and hands available at Reading Terminal Market 

Bora reads a quote from John Adams. 

We took over many forms of public transportation on this trip. 

In the exercise yard at Eastern State Penitentiary 

Owen checking out Al Capone's cell at Eastern State Penitentiary 

Amy joins us at the Mütter Museum. 

Henry, as seen through a glass case at the Mütter Museum 

Learning about the Philadelphia Magic Gardens 

Becca poses in front of a giant mural of dogs (and other pets). 

We broke into three groups for dinner on Thursday. Sam took a group to try out authentic Philly cheesesteaks. 

Scenes from the Signers' Hall at the National Constitution Center.  

I probably should have opened with this: While we were away, Owen was sworn in as President of the United States of America. Hail to the Chief! 

Posing with Broadway sensation Alexander Hamilton 

Meeting of the minds 

Sam's class at the United States Mint, where we saw pennies and nickels being made. 

Jason's class at Christ Church Cemetery, final resting place of Benjamin Franklin 

Jason's class at Elfreth's Alley, the nation's oldest residential street

Sam's class at the mini-golf version of Elfreth's Alley 

Independence Hall, meeting place of the Continental Congress 

The Liberty Bell. Because you can't travel to Philadelphia and not see the Liberty Bell. This place was packed with people, all clamoring for photos. I thought I was so smart, because everyone was trying to photograph themselves in front of it. "No one is taking photos from the other side of it. Why not just go there?" Then I remembered the crack. Everyone wants a photo of the crack. 

(Of course, when you stand in front of it, you can't see the crack anyway.)

We did a lot of walking, particularly on Wednesday and Thursday. They found ways to keep it interesting. 

On Thursday evening, we visited the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival. 

There are giant murals all over Philadelphia. 

I have no idea what this is about. 

No clue. 

Here we are at the Whistle Stop Restaurant in Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. 

Descending to the boats to tour Penn's Cave. 

On a boat, deep underground 

Sam's class, about to re-enter the cave following a scenic jaunt around a lake. 

In the interest of getting back to Summers-Knoll at a decent hour on Friday, we opted to dine on the buses. This potentially disastrous gamble paid off, with only a mildly disgusting amount of food left on the bus for us to deal with on Monday morning. 

It was a great trip! A hearty THANK YOU to everyone who helped make it happen! To the chaperones, faculty, staff, students, parents, and a significant percentage of the population of Philadelphia, you have our humble gratitude. 



Okay, WHERE TO NEXT YEAR???