Butler 8th Grade Field Trip to
Washington DC
November 20-21, 2021
This Fall, Butler 8th graders have the opportunity to spend two days in Washington, DC, where they will see and explore the institutions of our federal government and immerse themselves in our national history. Butler students have been traveling to our nation’s Capitol with Logan Tours for 50 years. Many remember it as a highlight of their school years. Make it one of yours, too!
Key Info
Departs Sat. 11/20 6:30 am from IHS.
Returns Sun. 11/21 8 pm.
Registration begins Oct 17 and ends when the buses are full.
Full payment ($289) required to register.
Act early – trip limited to 135 students.
Roommate selection will be done in school, after registration closes.
Masks required on buses & at some sites. Exemptions do not apply.
What You'll See
On this exciting 2-day, 1 night trip, students will:
- Visit the US Capitol, Arlington Cemetery, and Ford’s Theater.
- Explore 2 Smithsonian Museums (Air & Space and American History).
- Visit the Lincoln, Vietnam Veterans, World War II, and Korean War memorials.
- Take photos in front of the White House.
- Have a picnic on the National Mall.
- See the animals at the Smithsonian National Zoo.
- Splash and play at the Freedom Aquatic Center, with activities for everyone (swimming, water slide, basketball, gym, and more).
We depart from the Intermediate School early Saturday morning, traveling on comfy coach buses. After arriving in DC, students spend the afternoon touring the city, then head to Manassas, VA for dinner and evening activities. We tour again Sunday morning and head home by mid-afternoon on Sunday. Transportation, deluxe lodging, all meals and admission charges are all included.
Trip Cost
- $289 per student covers everything – transportation, admissions, lodging, and meals.
- Trip limited to 135 students on 3 coach buses.
- Registration begins October 17 and ends when the buses are full.
- Due to the short timeframe and limited capacity, full payment is required to register.
- Payments can be made on this site by check or credit card.
The trip cost is fully refundable if a student drops due to circumstances beyond her/his control. Notify a sponsoring teacher or the tour company if your child needs to drop. If you simply do not show up for the trip without any notice, you are not eligible for a refund.
Hotel & Roommates
We will be staying at the Hampton Inn, Manassas VA, which features comfortable, well appointed rooms equipped with cable TV and a blow dryer. Up to 4 students will be assigned per room, and each room has either two queen beds or a king bed and a sleeper sofa. Students choose their own roommates by filling out a form that will be at school after registration closes.
Meals & Money
Our meal plan:
Saturday
Breakfast: Not included – send healthy snacks on bus.
Lunch: Subway cold cut trio or turkey 6″ sub, chips, dessert, & water.
Dinner: All-you-can eat pizza + soda.
Sunday
Breakfast hotel hot buffet
Lunch: local cafe.
Dinner: Chicken tenders, fries, soup, salad, and dessert bar from Hoss’ Steakhouse
If you have special dietary needs, bring food that is safe for you. We can store a cooler under the bus, if needed.
Spending money: $30-$50 will be enough for vending and small souvenirs. More will be needed if you plan to purchase T-shirts or sweatshirts.
Food and beverages are permitted on the buses and in hotel rooms. Our first meal is lunch on Saturday. Eat breakfast before you leave or bring something easy to eat on the bus. Only drinks with resealable containers are allowed. Students are expected to discard waste and keep buses and rooms clean. If not, snack privileges will be revoked.
Planning & Packing
Bus Travel: Take all items on board the bus that you plan to use throughout the day, including phones, cameras, jackets, spending money, snacks/drinks.
Weather: We will be outside and walking A LOT! Wear comfortable shoes. Check the DC forecast and pack accordingly, including jacket/rain coats.
Freedom Center in Manassas: Pack a gym bag with swim suit, towel, shorts, proper shoes, and a T-shirt
Cameras or cell phones: Students are responsible for their possessions, so use discretion. Label these items with name and parent phone number in case they are misplaced.
Baggage: Students and their luggage will pass through metal detectors before they board the buses. Please triple check that there are no items that would be prohibited in school, or you may not be able to attend the trip. Bags are subject to search.
Medication must be given to the chaperones before boarding.
Music/Video can only be played through headphones. No flash photography after dark. No laser lights. Movies rated G or PG only.
Behavior: Students are expected to abide by all applicable school policies while on this trip. The District has the right to deny a student from participating based on disciplinary or other issues that arise before the trip (e.g., fighting).
Safety
Student Safety is the most important aspect of this tour. The following procedures are in place to ensure safe travels:
- Masks are required by the Federal Government on buses and at several stops. School exemptions do not apply. Students may not attend if they show any signs of illness.
- School behavior standards will be upheld during the trip, and participation may be denied based on a student’s disciplinary record.
- Chaperones and tour coordinators have required clearances. Most are district employees who know the students and are familiar with the places we visit.
- Experienced tour coordinators travel with the group at all times. They explain meeting times, places, etc. in advance of each stop. They will alert students and chaperones to any changes that need to be made, and are in contact with the bus drivers at all times.
- Students travel in groups with their roommates and their bus chaperones.
- The places we visit have strict security and/or police on site.
- Hotel rooms do not have exterior exits. Hotel rooms have landline phones and students are told how to contact chaperones during the night.
- The “Good Night” time on the itinerary is the last time that any student will be permitted in the hotel hallways. Errands, such as obtaining soft drinks, ice, or asking questions of the chaperones must be carried out before that time.
- A security guard walks the halls all night. Mechanisms are put in place to ensure students do not visit one another’s rooms during the night.
- Only experienced drivers are used, and we strictly follow federal laws pertaining to driver safety.
- The teachers from Butler have conducted the Washington DC field trip for decades. Our tour groups have always been well received by the hotel, restaurants, and tour sites visited. And we plan to keep up our good record!
Questions?
Jess Carlson, History Teacher
724-214-3400, ext.5543
Denise Casher, School Liaison
denise.casher@basdk12.org
724-214-3405 (office)
724-822-1208 (mobile)
Rebecca Green, Tour Coordinator
logantoursinc@gmail.com
724-355-4997
