About the Trip

Bring history to life on this unforgettable 6-day, 5-night East Coast adventure! Students will have the opportunity to reinforce and deepen their understanding of the people, places, and events they studied in 8th Grade U.S. History as they travel through Gettysburg, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Hershey, Pennsylvania.

From standing on the battlefield where the turning point of the Civil War took place to walking the halls where our nation's founding documents were debated and signed, students will experience history firsthand. Highlights include Gettysburg National Military Park, Arlington National Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, the U.S. Capitol area, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and many other iconic landmarks that have shaped the story of America.

Beyond the educational experiences, students will create lifelong memories while traveling with classmates, exploring historic cities, and celebrating the conclusion of the trip with a day of fun and excitement at the award-winning Hersheypark.

This once-in-a-lifetime journey combines education, exploration, and adventure, helping students connect classroom learning to the places where history happened.

Friday, June 11 – Gettysburg

4:30 a.m. Meet at the football field parking lot

5:00 a.m. Depart for Gettysburg
12:00 p.m. Self-provided packed lunch at the Oasis
4:00 p.m. Gettysburg National Military Park

• Battlefield Tour (time permitting)

  • Jenny Wade House

  • Michigan 24th Regiment Monument

  • Virginia Monument

  • Fire Tower

  • Little Round Top

  • Pennsylvania Monument

7:00 p.m. Dinner at The Barn
8:15 p.m. Hotel check-in: Hilton Garden Inn, Gettysburg
1061 York Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325 • (717) 334-2040

 Saturday, June 12 – Gettysburg, Washington, D.C. Part 1 (U.S. Capitol, Air and Space Museum)

6:30 a.m. Breakfast

7:30 a.m.     Depart for Gettysburg National Military Park

8:00 a.m.    Gettysburg National Military Park

• ·Film and Cyclorama

• Spend time in the gift shop and museum

• Pick up Boxed Lunches and eat on the way to DC

9:30 a.m. Depart for the U.S. Capitol

11:30 a.m.  U.S. Capitol Tour

• Library of Congress Visit (12:00 p.m.) (outside picture after)

• Capitol Tour (1:30 p.m.)

• Supreme Court (outside picture)

2:45 p.m. Depart for Smithsonian Air & Space Museum

3:00 p.m.        Visit Air and Space Museum

4:30 p.m. Depart for Medieval Times for dinner (6:00 PM Dinner)

7000 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, MD 21076
10:45 p.m. Hotel Check in: Holiday Inn: 10000 Baltimore Ave. College Park, MD 20740

Sunday, June 13 – Washington, D.C. (Part II)

7:00 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Depart for Arlington National Cemetery

8:30 a.m. Arlington National Cemetery

• Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

• Kennedy graves

• Audie Murphy grave

• Joe Louis grave

• Arlington House (time permitting)

10:30 a.m. Iwo Jima Marine Memorial

11:30 a.m. Lunch at Pentagon City Mall food court
12:15 a.m. Pentagon 9/11 Memorial

1:00 p.m. White House Picture Stop
2:00 p.m. Smithsonian Museums (American History or Natural History)
5:00 p.m. Dinner (Food Trucks or Union Station) TBD
6:00 p.m. Memorial Tour: WWII, MLK Jr., Korean, Vietnam, Lincoln

8:00 p.m.  Hotel: Holiday Inn: 10000 Baltimore Ave. College Park, MD 20740

Monday, June 14 – Philadelphia

6:00 a.m. Breakfast at hotel
7:00 a.m. Depart for Philadelphia

10:00 a.m. Eastern State Penitentiary
2027 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130

11:30 a.m. Lunch at Philly’s Gourmet Steaks
114 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 • (215) 923-4397

12:45 p.m. Museum of the American Revolution (self-guided tour)

·         12:50 p.m. Museum Admission

·         1:00 p.m. Washingtons War Ten Film

·         1:20 p.m. Self-Guided Gallery Tour

2:30 p.m. Independence Hall (3:00 reservation)

• Congress Hall

• Great Essentials Exhibit

• Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the Revolutionary War

• Liberty Bell Exhibit

4:30p.m. Double Decker Bus Tour (Pick up in front of Constitution Center)

6:00 p.m.     Drop off at Dave and Buster’s
6:15 p.m. Dinner at Dave & Buster’s

325 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106

7:30 p.m. Depart for Hotel

Tuesday, June 15 – Hershey Park

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Breakfast
10:00 a.m. Depart for Hershey Park. 100 Hersheypark Dr, Hershey, PA 17033

• Park open: 11:00 – 7:00

• Boardwalk open: 11:00 – 6:00

• ZooAmerica: 10:00 – 7:00

• Chocolate World: 9:00 – 8:00

Hershey Park is cashless.
Lunch voucher included.

7:00 p.m. Meet inside Chocolate World (back dining area, with shopping complete)
7:10 p.m. Depart for Hotel: Pizza at the Hotel.

Wednesday, June 16 – Return Home

6:00 a.m.      Breakfast
7:00 a.m.      Depart for Saranac
1:30 p.m.     Lunch at Hilton Garden Inn
                                8971 Wilcox Drive, Twinsburg, OH 44087

6:00 p.m. Approximate arrival at Saranac Jr/Sr High School