Our
family is detouring this year from our normal vacation. Instead of heading south for our usual trip to Orlando, we will
be driving north through several states including Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York to visit a variety of well-known and
historical sites.
Technically
classified as a field trip, this vacation has instead been referred to as our “road
trip”. After all, who wants a vacation to include more school? Not my kids!
Even though every day will be considered a school day, no text books,
worksheets, or even pencils will be included in our packing. All of the education will be hands on and
will not feel like learning at all.
Of
course, there will be no roller coasters, water rides, stunt shows, or
fireworks. Our vacation will not be fourteen hours of play each day, but
instead about sixteen hundred miles of driving and more miles walking as we
visit many famous places with significant histories.
Although
not a Disney vacation, this trip is eagerly anticipated by the boys. However, in order to rouse their enthusiasm even
more, I have encouraged them to learn the history behind much of what we will
see, as well as the geography of where we will travel. I have required assignments such as
memorizing the names and locations of the thirteen colonies, studying maps of
the states we will visit, watching certain documentaries, and reading Ester
Forbes’ Johnny Tremain. Other assignments, however, are optional and a way to
earn spending money for the trip.
Reports
written on approved topics related to the trip (such as Independence Hall, the
U.S.S. Constitution, and the Statue
of Liberty) earn $1 each. Reciting the
Gettysburg Address from memory also earns $1.
Writing a book report after reading a biography of Benjamin Franklin
earns $2. No one can earn more than $10
in spending money. As additional motivation
for participating in these extracurricular assignments, each person that earns a
minimum of $5 receives a bonus goodie bag for the car.
The
boys have been working diligently and learning much about the sites we will
see. All three have met the $5 minimum to
earn a goodie bag. Each is close to
reaching his $10 limit. We are all much
more informed about the places we will visit and are eagerly counting down the
days until we leave!
“…that all may learn and all may be
encouraged.” 1 Corinthians 14:31b