Third-grade students from Salisbury Academy spent two days and a night at YMCA’s Camp Thunderbird in Rock Hill, S.C., where they experienced a variety of team-building activities including two-person canoeing, learning to navigate using a compass and taking a night hike through the woods.
An ecological study took students wading in a creek with nets looking for animal life in the water and on the bottom of Lake Wylie. Instructors at the camp used outdoor classrooms for all the lessons. The students slept in cabins and ate in a mess hall with groups from other schools across the southeastern United States.
“Destination 1840” is the three-day trip fourth grade students experienced in Lake Toxaway. Bringing to life their study of Colonial America, students traveled back in time as either mountain settlers or early Native Americans to simulate the troubles and triumphs of this time period. Some of the group’s favorite activities were learning to throw a tomahawk, making tools in the blacksmith shop, and preparing all of their daily meals.
Fifth- and sixth-grade students started their trip with a visit to Thomas Jefferson’s home, Monticello, where they were fascinated by the innovative accomplishments of Jefferson. The group traveled on to Colonial Williamsburg where they dined at the famous Shields Tavern, then enjoyed a late-night ghost tour. The following day, students visited Jamestown Settlement. The third day, the students were treated to a visit to Busch Gardens Theme Park.
Seventh- and eighth-grade students experienced three days in Washington, D.C. Students visited the Smithsonian, the Capitol building, the National Portrait Gallery, the Holocaust Museum, Union Station and Arlington National Cemetery. Highlights of the trip included a nighttime tour of the lighted monuments and a visit to the interactive Newseum, where students learned history and journalism from a fresh, multi-disciplinary perspective.
Parents were invited and encouraged to participate with their children on most field trips.
Parental involvement and support of the school’s work educating their children is seen as an important factor to successful student learning.