Part of the question is whether what they're doing on the trip is part of a learning experience... and whether at least a similar experience might be had by those students. The outdoor ed. field trip (varies from 6th -8th grade in HoCo for some reason) gives an outdoor experience that I might actually be able to say "most" kids in suburban and urban MD wouldn't ever have otherwise. Scouts is somewhat down from where it is, and the number of parents who would take their kids on camping trips or to an outdoor ropes course, hiking, etc isn't nearly as large as it would be good to see. They're intended to expose the kids not only to the idea of what nature is (in theory anyway... I've heard about the "cabins" at North Point ;-) ) but also the idea that there's both a benefit and a necessity in taking conservation seriously... and provide a bit of "leadership"/ "group forming" experience along the way as well.
As far as trips elsewhere go... it's been quite interesting (over the years) talking to kids from other parts of the country who are in DC visiting the Smithsonian (among other places)... some of whom have never been to more than a small city, if that, in the past.
Now, if it comes at great expense to the parents, or high stress fundraising, maybe not as good. My kid's school went from 3 days to 5 for their outdoor ed trip when my son was in 6th. The state had a new facility and there were funds to help reduce the cost of the trip to the point that 5 days was *very* do-able. This year? We're back down to 3 days for my daughter's trip. No biggie for me, or for her... she's done scouts, as well as a week long gymnastics camp in the country that provides *many* other traditional (and a few not-so) activities of a summer camp. There are others she knows who are already a little apprehensive, as it will be completely new to them, though they're excited, having heard tales from older kids.
BTW, speaking of non-school experiences... the boy is going up to PARF for one of their school days (I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll get to chaperone... I'm curious how good their day is and what it involves)... connected with learning about the Elizabethian period.
And down here... if you bring the little one to MDRF on a Sunday, make sure you bring her by "my perch by the Globe theater"... Most of those things I mentioned that I did this past weekend in my LJ are things that I'll set willing and interested visitors to doing as well (different level of difficulty and all, but :-) Not sure who is doing what on Saturdays, as I'm not there, but I've got lots of stuff now on Sundays.
(and be warned... you're going to get other comments from me... I'm playing "catch-up" still)
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As far as trips elsewhere go... it's been quite interesting (over the years) talking to kids from other parts of the country who are in DC visiting the Smithsonian (among other places)... some of whom have never been to more than a small city, if that, in the past.
Now, if it comes at great expense to the parents, or high stress fundraising, maybe not as good. My kid's school went from 3 days to 5 for their outdoor ed trip when my son was in 6th. The state had a new facility and there were funds to help reduce the cost of the trip to the point that 5 days was *very* do-able. This year? We're back down to 3 days for my daughter's trip. No biggie for me, or for her... she's done scouts, as well as a week long gymnastics camp in the country that provides *many* other traditional (and a few not-so) activities of a summer camp. There are others she knows who are already a little apprehensive, as it will be completely new to them, though they're excited, having heard tales from older kids.
BTW, speaking of non-school experiences... the boy is going up to PARF for one of their school days (I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll get to chaperone... I'm curious how good their day is and what it involves)... connected with learning about the Elizabethian period.
And down here... if you bring the little one to MDRF on a Sunday, make sure you bring her by "my perch by the Globe theater"... Most of those things I mentioned that I did this past weekend in my LJ are things that I'll set willing and interested visitors to doing as well (different level of difficulty and all, but :-) Not sure who is doing what on Saturdays, as I'm not there, but I've got lots of stuff now on Sundays.
(and be warned... you're going to get other comments from me... I'm playing "catch-up" still)