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Recently a group made up of 34 students, 19 adults and two chaperones returned from Washington DC. Chisago Lakes Middle School has been taking students and parents to our nation’s capital since 1996.  Though this experience has changed in length and cost over the years, the main focus remains constant; to provide an educational  experience that takes students to the nation’s capitol to learn first-hand how our great nation was founded and has developed and grown.  

Part of what makes Chisago Lakes fall excursion unique is that parents and relatives are invited to travel with their students.  Most groups do not allow for this arrangement, but CLMS staff feel that by including adult travelers, a greater sense of community is formed, and parents get to see how their sons or daughters interact each day with peers.  Parents have this rare opportunity to model life-long learning,  while getting a historical perspective of the founding of our country and working of the government.

The four day trip this year included a visit to Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland.  This historic fort was the epicenter of the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812 against the British.  During the battle, Francis Scott Key wrote the words that would become the Star Spangled Banner.  To connect the dots, the next day our group was able to see the original flag that flew over the fort during this battle which inspired Key that historic day.  

Other sites included Smithsonian museums, U.S. Capital, Holocaust Museum, Bureau of Printing and Engraving, National Cathedral, White House, Ford’s Theater, all the war memorials, presidential monuments, as well as the recently added Martin Luther King memorial.  

However, the highlight for the group came when four students, representing Chisago Lakes Middle School, laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery.  This honor requires an application months in advance and is a great way for our students and families to honor those who have fought for America and given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.  It is a powerful experience and one bestowed upon seventh grade students Megan McGuire, McKenna Kiefer, Mark Palmquist, and Jared Howlett.

All in all, this was an amazing experience for the 55 travelers. This trip is offered on opposite years of our New York City trip, again open to all students and families of CLMS.   For more information on these student trips please feel free to contact Jim Gillach at jgillach@isd2144. org or 651-213-2403. 

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