posted on September 29, 2001 07:48:38 AM
My 7th grader came home excited about a class trip to Washington DC this Spring.
They have to sign up this Fall on a first come, first served basis. Twenty kids out of 300 get to go for a week at a cost of $1000.00.
The idea of putting my child on an airplane to Washington DC scares the heck out of me.
I don't want to hold her back because of my fears. But,,,,
I also am not sure I agree with this type of school activity in 7th grade nor do I know if I can afford to send her. My Ebay bids are way down and sales in the B & M shop are not so good right now. I am more worried about paying rent and health insurance at the moment.
I have always wanted to take her to Washington to see the Institute of Art.
Hard to sort out.
posted on September 29, 2001 08:03:21 AM
Hi,
I remember having the option of having that fiel trip a long time ago.unfortunantly my parents coudln't afford it. But my older sister did go and loved it, except the trip didn't involve flying instead it was a train ride there. (I'm not sure if I would fly right now) but it is a experience that does sound great, but in a way I would rather go now then in 7th grade, It would seem I would pay more attention and enjoy the history I would be learning. When my sister got back she said all they did was talk all day and look at the historic site which she never said much about. It does seem rather expensive though, I think it would be great opporinity to take your family there as a trip together. I was actually considering doing something like that this year with my other half.
posted on September 29, 2001 08:03:53 AM
Fear shouldn't be an excuse. Money can be. If I had the money I'd send a 7th grader to Washington D.C., it would be something they'd remember their whole life.
posted on September 29, 2001 08:11:28 AM
Yeah If one of my kids had this chance to go and money wasn't an issue I would let them go on the school trip.
SOmething far more scarey is thinking kids from the time of the attack wont have as good or a better chance at education as in the past and the USA turning in to one of them thrid world countries its self because it lives in fear.
posted on September 29, 2001 08:14:24 AM
I love to go to the Smithsonian the Library of Congress and many other places but I will not right now because anyplace on the Mall could be a bombing target. I could not send a kid that young because in an emergency they would not know what to do. Even staying in a hotel or using the subway in Washington right now is more than I want to risk.
Have I given in to terrorism? I don't think so - I am just not willing to put my body on the line to pretend that everything is normal when it is not. Especially since all the people protecting me don't trust me to protect myself.
I remember too well that some of the people who escaped the WTC did so because they refused to be stopped short of the ground by firefighters who wanted them to stop at about the 14th floor to clear the stairs. Terrorists have all sorts of tricks that an escort and officials never see coming - such as setting a small bomb to make everyone evacuate and then setting a BIG bomb in the lobby for 10 minutes later when it is packed with everyone streaming out and the police and firefighters.
They will have no trouble filling the 20. Let it be someone else and take her yourself later when you can take care of her yourself.
And think about how to do that.
For example I always go out in the hall when I get a room and pace off the distance to the strairwell and count the doors I pass so I can find it in the dark or smoke.
posted on September 29, 2001 08:22:40 AM
Thanks for the thoughts. I would feel more comfortable if I could afford to go along also. I don't want fear to get the best of me. But I know, if we were hijacked or gassed or whatever, I would want to be with her. We can't be with them 100% of the day, but her school is alot closer to get to in an emergency than DC.
posted on September 29, 2001 08:24:10 AM
SO what you are saying is that we should all become verbal terrorist and scare the hell out of each other every wakieing hour ????
I have news for you No matter how hard you try to survive life its fatal you will either die natural death voilent death, or or of sickness and not one single persons next hour of life is guaranteed.
How ever if you do manage to continue to survive the odds in the USA education and freedom should be a guarantee.
Granted many of us went through our lifes just fine with out that trip to DC but it was mostly due to the lack of the means to get there the many that did have the chance for mant it open up a whole new world to there eyes..
posted on September 29, 2001 09:12:07 AM
If you can afford it, let her go. Face it, we can't squat at home for the rest of our lives hoping to avoid something that *might* happen.
posted on September 29, 2001 09:54:41 AM
Both of our sons took that trip when they were in school. It was a wonderful experience that they throughly enjoyed.
Would I send them now? NO!! I don't care if some call it fear....I call it being cautious in these uncertain times. We don't know what's ahead and should our country start fighting I'd rather our child be at home with us.
Sure something could happen anywhere, but why press your luck. Watch the news....a lot of the middle east countries have said they will join a 'holy war' should we start invading Afghanistan. And we have no idea if or when that may happen. I'd rather be safe than sorry. One can always visit and enjoy this experience when times are a little more settled.
posted on September 29, 2001 10:04:47 AM
No. If you're not comfortable with it, and the money is iffy...don't do it. Paying the rent and insurance seems far more important to me, than sending your child on a trip you can't afford. She can go another time, for heaven's sake. The world hasn't ended...
posted on September 29, 2001 12:01:16 PM
mildreds
dman said
“and not one single persons next hour of life is guaranteed”
This is true but there are many things you can do to improve the odds...
1000 bucks seems to be steep to me..
I say take a family trip to DC after tension has subsided .
Many poster have said that you are giving into the terrorist
by changing you lifestyle ...I say ..not the case...Being a American
is about choices and the freedom to make those choices...
If someone says that are going to fly just to show them that
are not going to fear a hijacking....all they are doing is mentally
fighting the terrorist....and that’s what they want...confrontation..
posted on September 29, 2001 12:58:11 PM
Hi to All:
I would like to have your suggestions to my dilemma that is very similar to Mildreds's question.
Our family moved to Canada in 1988 from Hungary. We left Hungary in 1986 and stayed in Austria before we came here. First time after 15 years we were planning to go home on October 15th this year. I booked the flights in March (paid for it at the end of August), the hotel in Vienna, the train to Budapest and planned out everything. Only my husband and I wanted to go and we were so happy planning this trip to see our families, relatives and old friends. (My children were not supposed to come with us, my younger is still in college, my older son just finished the university this year and has started to work in a new job. Then these terrible, terrible,tragic events happened in USA. I don't know any victim personally but I was in a shock for 7 days, couldn't eat or sleep. I am still very sad (my heart goes out to all victims and their families), and now I'am scared to death to leave my children here and go to Hungary. I am not scared of flying or that something happens to me, but the thought of something happens here when I am in Hungary and I can't come home to be with my children is killing me. (It was always my worst nightmare, something bad happens and I am not there to be with my family.) At the same time I feel that maybe this is my last chance to see my parents, my older relatives alive (my dad has heart problems) and I just don't know what to do.
Don't ask me why I am telling all this to people I don't even know but I need some advice.
posted on September 29, 2001 01:14:42 PM
I agree with the people who said let the child go.
If you continue to have fears about airplane ride, or the mall being a target then the score will remain:
Terrorist 4
Americans 0
we lose! They win!
Time to grow up and get a grip. Even with the present situation you are infinitely more likely to be killed on the drive to the airport, infinitely more likely to be injured getting dressed than you are to be hijacked and killed.
posted on September 29, 2001 01:21:51 PM
pepi3, I agree with Linda_K. But I would tell a nearby friend or relative of your concern for your children and arrange for them to offer your children any assistance while you're gone. Considering where you're flying from and your destination, I'd go.
On the other hand, I'd probably reconsider a trip to DC. Maybe a better time to visit would be later as a family. I'm not too inclined to visit the typical tourist destinations right now, but I wouldn't hesitate to visit the areas I usually go in DC. I'll just drive and not take Metro for awhile.
posted on September 29, 2001 01:53:55 PM
pepi3 - Sounds like your kids are old enough to take pretty good care of themselves. Not like a 7th grade school girl. I would go unless there is some specific reason not to go at your departure date. After all even if there is some terror event that interrupts travel it is only a matter of days. It is not like they are going to shut down international air travel for weeks and make you take a boat home. That's just not going to happen.
posted on September 29, 2001 02:33:54 PM
Mark..said
“If you continue to have fears about airplane ride, or the mall being a target then the score will remain: Terrorist 4 Americans 0"
If mildreds child takes a car, bus or train to DC...the score is
the same...but the outcome becomes slightly in our favor..
mildreds feels better, the terrorist did win..and the child is safer..
posted on September 29, 2001 03:26:17 PM
I would not send my child there now and I have no reason to believe that six months from now will be any safer.
The problem with school groups is that they generally stay at cheap hotels in crime ridden neighborhoods. Make sure that there are no night trips and check out the hotel location and the chaperone's experience.
Although I live in the suburbs of DC, I no longer go there alone. And my advice is not based on fear of terrorists. Before the terrorism occurred, I had a fearful experience on the metro. Three young fellows sat near me on the Metro and began to "admire" my wedding ring...with a discussion of what it might be worth etc. I tried to be cool and friendly but I was scared s..less and I didn't know wheather to stay on the metro or get off.
Now, in addition to the usual urban crime, there is the terrorist problem. Airline travel would be my concern now...especially since so many employees have been laid off and airplane maintenance may be compromised.
Reagan airport in DC is the only airport in the country that is still closed and this is of course because of terrorist related concerns.
My children have been all over the world but the world is a different place now and if I were in your position, I would postpone this field trip.
posted on September 29, 2001 04:57:58 PM
My senior class trip in high school was to D.C. It was the best field trip ever. Of course, this was in 1977. We went by train, stayed at a nice hotel. I believe it was the Crystal City Marriott. Can you volunteer to go as a chaperone? I personally would allow my child to go. I still have good memories of that trip. Seeing the Smithsonian was great. Luckily we were there when the King Tut exhibit was there too. We saw the National Cathedral, the Botanical Gardens and all the other landmarks.
posted on September 30, 2001 12:03:02 AM
Pepi3. I would go. I went on vacation myself the Saturday after the bombing. My Aunt stayed with my daughter and I drove to a log cabin in the next state. The vacation had been planned months before the attack.
It was hard to leave, and I thought then am I being a bad mom? what if something happens? but as many in this thread have said, we can't stop living or they win so I went.
I've also thought of the possibility that on a given day Washington DC could be safer than the Midwest if a biological agent was released or who knows what. Who can predict where or when? (Well hopefully the FBI, CIA, etc are getting a handle on this). So yes I am trying to grow up and get a grip. And Dman I do realize life is fatal and can end suddenly. My father died unexpectedly 10 years ago.
Thanks to all for an interesting debate. I love Auction Watch Boards since there is always a well rounded variety of opinions and different angles to consider. I have a couple weeks before I have to decide.
posted on September 30, 2001 12:49:30 AM
I can't address your fears but I can comment on the trip.
My child's school did this for 5th grade. Luckily we started to homeschool before 5th grade so I got around it. All BUT 2 kids in 5th grade went to D.C. We would not have been able to afford it. Neither could the other 2.
Friends of ours did go with their daughter as chaperones. They said it was not a very educational trip. The kids were scheduled (by a tour company that does this I think) to do certain things. The ACTIVITY LIST looked GREAT before they left but they said they ran, and ran, and ran, and saw NOTHING long enough to learn a thing. TWO hours were scheduled to tour the Smithsonian. (I understand to actually SEE it all takes DAYS.) They said they paid for hotel, paid for charter bus, paid for expensive food, paid to get in all these places, RAN through them in total chaos, fell down exausted at night, learned nothing but that they had wasted their money (about $3000 in their case).
It might be a good idea to ask one of the parents who went last year how much educational value you are getting for your money. This may vary wildly with the company who arranges the trip. This school did have charter buses, did not fly. It was a week long trip including travel (non-stop).
I, personally, would take that $1000 and take an educational family trip instead. Just my opinion.
T
posted on September 30, 2001 04:26:32 AM
If my child wanted to go, although I wouldn't be happy and I would be on pins & needles til his return, I would support him. But I wanted to mention the money angle. When I was in 10th grade our Spanish class field trip was to South America (real bright move, take a bunch of 15 year olds to Columbia in the 70's - YIKES!)...But anyway, we had ALL kinds of fund raisers. We ran bake sales, candy sales & car washes & all kinds of things to raise money. My mother agreed to the trip (cost THEN $600, which actually turned out to be more like $1,000) on the condition that "I" was to pay for half of the trip. Some monies I made before we went & when I returned, I paid $5.00 per week, til I had paid off the remainder of my balance. Now I don't know how affluent your school district is (my current district would just "assume" that everyone could afford $1,000 without blinkin' an eye!) BUT they might be open to the suggestion that the kids pitch in as a group to raise some of the money. If presented to the school as a responsiblity issue, then no one needs be aware that money is tight for you now...Just a suggestion!
posted on September 30, 2001 05:59:54 AM
It seems unfair to me that the school would sponsor a field trip that so few could take advantage of or easily afford.
You are right, jt, a quick tour of DC is not a learning experience. It's basically a run in and out of buildings...an hour in line to buy a hot dog and back to the bus...not worth one thousand dollars!
posted on September 30, 2001 06:18:08 AM
That is true about the quality of the experience. I took a whole day just to look at ONE floor of the Museam of Natural history in the Smithsonian. We took a day for the Air and Space. We never did get to the National Portrait Gallery.
posted on September 30, 2001 08:00:06 AM
Just because the visit would be a whirlwind one does not mean it would not be a good experience.
Now, *my* schools never offered such trips to Washington DC or South America or anywhere else like that. But when I was in 9th grade (East Bakersfield High) we went (by bus ) to Los Angeles for a single day. Whoop-de-doo, right? In that single day we went to the museum, saw an opera (the Barber of Seville), and a play (Hamlet) before going home late that night, exhausted. Talk about whirlwind! But it was a trip that I still remember fondly over 20 years later. For most of us it was the first exposure to a museum, opera or play. For some it was the last, but it widened horizons. I developed, from that whirlwind taste, a love of the arts, especially theatre.
posted on September 30, 2001 09:09:55 AM
Funny that this subject came up - Just this week the school sent a note home confirming that they are still planning the Washington DC spring trip for the fifth graders. But we have a totally different situation.
First of all, it's $250 (not $1,000!!). And *all* the (fifth grade) kids that want to can go. Money is donated for the kids that can't afford it and there are fund raisers also. That is how a field trip should be - not just for 20 out of 300 kids.
It's a five day trip. Parents act as chaperones - it costs them $250 as well. It's a big thing around here (little town in SC). Two years ago when my oldest was in fifth grade, my ex-husband went along as one of the chaperones. There were so many chaperones that he had to watch exactly one child - our son. No parent had to watch more than two children.
My son had a wonderful time. I will be letting our youngest go this spring (barring unforseen circumstances). But what you're talking about is a whole different kettle of fish. I wouldn't let my sons go on a trip like you're talking about because I don't like the way it's set up (the 20 out of 300 kids really bugs me). It's either a field trip (all kids can go) or it's not. This is not.
And $1,000 is a lot of money. Given the option, I'd rather go as a family later.
posted on September 30, 2001 09:22:15 AM
Here in Up state NY we got home from the school that all schools in this area are canceling most feild trips locally to NYC and all foreign exchange is canceled till further notice.
