The fundraising alone was an adventure, but I saw so many lessons being learned, watching the students plan, prioritize, problem solve, and cooperate their way through a year's worth of athletic concessions and sales drives. Real leadership was developed and real world skills were polished. What do you do when your concession stand runs out of quarters during half time? How do you go about telling your sponsor that he burned off most of one eyebrow in a grease fire, grilling hamburgers?
Finally the trip arrived. We spent five nights in Florida and the kids had so many experiences. They navigated airports and public transportation. They heard families communicate with each other in foreign languages and watched a NASA rocket launch. They visited theme parks and the beach. They rented a surf board. Some of the students had more experience traveling than others, but there were many firsts on the trip. It was a great trip, and the kids represented their school, community, and families in outstanding fashion.
With so many demands competing for time and resources, it's understandable that many schools have done away with class trips. But there are many reasons why it's worth it for schools to provide students the opportunity to travel outside their communities. Schools have the ability to provide travel opportunities that are safe, educational, and equitable.
I don't know when, or if, I'll get another chance to lead a student trip, but I'm glad I took advantage of this one. It was a treat to watch the students explore, make memories, and learn in the midst of a new experience: all marks of authentic education.
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