Knoch 9th Grade Field Trip to
Washington DC
March 19-20, 2022
Knoch 9th-graders now have the chance to make up for last year’s missed field trip to Washington, DC! Bonus: this trip is in the Spring, just ahead of the Cherry Blossom Festival. Students will see and explore the institutions of our federal government and immerse themselves in our national history. Knoch students have been traveling to our nation’s Capitol with Logan Tours for 40 years. Many remember it as a highlight of their school years. Make it one of yours, too!
Key Dates
Sat. Feb. 5, 7 am: Registration begins. Full payment ($320) required to register. Act early – trip limited to 90 students.
Mon. Feb. 14: Roommate selection forms distributed in History.
Wed. Feb. 23: Roommate forms due.
Wed. Mar. 16, 6 pm: Parent meeting in LGI room.
Fri. Mar. 18, 6-8 pm. All bags must be dropped off for inspection. (Knoch HS Main Entrance.)
Sat. Mar. 19, 6 am: Buses load.
Sun. Mar. 20, 9:30 pm: Students return.
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 Udvar-Hazy Center and American History).
- Visit the Lincoln, Vietnam Veterans, World War II, and Korean War memorials.
- Take photos in front of the White House.
- View America’s 3 most historic documents at the National Archive Building & Museum
- Splash and play at the Freedom Aquatic Center, with activities for everyone (swimming, water slide, basketball, gym, and more).
We depart from Knoch High 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.
Trip Cost
- $320 per student covers transportation, admissions, lodging, and most meals.
- Trip limited to 90 students on 2 coach buses.
- Registration begins Saturday, February 5 at 7 am. Deadline is February 11, but the trip may sell out earlier.
- 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 refunded if it is cancelled. You will also be refunded if you drop due to circumstances beyond your control. Notify a sponsoring teacher or the tour company in such cases. If you simply do not show up for the trip without any notice, you are not eligible for a refund.
Hotel & Roommates
Meals & Money
Saturday Meals
Breakfast – not included. Eat before you leave or bring something easy to eat on the bus.
Lunch – McDonalds (not included in trip price, bring funds for this).
Dinner – All-you-can eat pizza and soda.
Sunday Meals
Breakfast – Hotel continental breakfast including hot items
Lunch – Elephant & Castle Restaurant
Dinner -Hoss’ Steakhouse buffet (chicken tenders, fries, soup, salad, and dessert bar)
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: Students will need money for Saturday’s lunch at McDonalds. $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. 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.
Packing & Preparing
What to Bring: Take all items on board the bus that you plan to use throughout the day, including phones, cameras, jackets, spending money, snacks/drinks. You’ll also need to have a gym bag with you on the bus. Pack this with whatever you’ll need for the Freedom Center pool & recreation area.
Everything you’ll need at the hotel (sleepwear, toiletries, games, more snacks & drinks) goes in a bag that can be put in the under-bus storage. You won’t be able to access it throughout the day.
What NOT to bring: Don’t bring anything that isn’t allowed at school (weapons, alcohol, vapes, etc.). All bags and luggage will be inspected. Please triple check that there are no prohibited items. If there are, you might not be able to attend the trip and school policy enforced.
Bag drop off & inspection: All bags and luggage must be dropped off at the High School on Friday night between 6-8 pm for a pre-trip inspection. Students should only bring hand-held items (phones, wallets) on Saturday morning.
Medication must be given to the chaperones before boarding.
Weather: We will be outside and walking A LOT! Wear comfortable shoes. Check the DC forecast and pack accordingly, including jacket/rain coats.
Phones and other screens: Students are responsible for their possessions, so use discretion. Label these items with name and parent phone number in case they are misplaced.
Music and video: Must be played through headphones. No flash photography after dark. No laser lights. Movies rated G or PG only.
Student 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, bullying, etc.).
- 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.
- Knoch staff and students have gone on the Gettysburg field trip for decades. They’ve always been well received by the hotel, restaurants, and tour sites visited. Help us keep up our good reputation!
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Questions?
Lauren Lemmon, History Teacher, Room 324
lemmonl@southbutler.net
724-352-1700 x4324
Rebecca Green, Tour Coordinator
logantoursinc@gmail.com
724-355-4997
