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I'd say typical...I don't know of a school around us that doesn't do this. We opted not to send our kids on that trip because for what we could send one child our family of 5 went for a week (vs the 5 days they would have with their class) and we saw way more than their classmates did. We saved the class trips for high school .
My son went on a DC trip in 5th grade. I don't remember what it cost but he had a blast. I did not chaperone as it was a chance for my son to develop some independence.
My son went on a Washington DC trip with his school in 6th grade (from Tampa). He had an amazing time and talks about it all the time. It was through the World Strides program...not sure if thats the one your school is using, but they really set it up for a wonderful experience and if you have a excited teacher leading the group its just even more of a plus. I wouldnt hesitate to recommend it to anyone that has the opportunity.
Personally, I stepped back with the chaperoning offer because I felt it was his time to really be away on his own with his peers in a completely different environment. I didnt want him to feel like I was hovering or that he always had to spend time with me since I was there...I just wanted him to have a blast and thats exactly what he had.
As for the fundraising, I had him do extra chores around the house and he went to some of the neighbors and offered to help them out for tips (weeding, walking their dogs, he even sold some pies that he baked (loves to cook)). He made about $100 and I felt that was good enough for him to feel like he contributed to his trip, he also asked for "donations" from out of state family after writing letters explaining the trip and why he wanted to go.
I was able to chaperone a day trip to DC decades ago. As the only male I was asked to watch over a group that included the problem child of the class.
The kids had sheets they needed to fill out as a group. The questions ensured they ended up seeing the museum from 1 end to the other. We didn't even get all of it filled out as some of the questions were very specific and all were fill in the blanks. I tried my best to get the kids into the areas that most likely would help them find the answers.
After a while they wanted to go to the giftshop. I pushed them to continue to find the answers as I felt we were way behind in the assignment. Time was up and we didn't complete the task. My group never got on to the giftshop. Back on the bus most of the kids had some crappy souvenirs from the giftshop. I asked some of the other parents how the managed to get those papers filled out. They told me they didn't do the paper and just let the kids roam around. So for a few days my son was the kid with the mean dad.
This was offered at my California middle school as a trip over spring break in 8th grade if your parents were willing to pay for it. I didn't go, but now as a resident of Northern Virginia, I see the hoards of middle schoolers come through! (Guarantee you your kid will have lunch or dinner in the food court at Pentagon City Mall one day on the trip!) It's a great age for the city. Most kids study american history or government in 8th grade, so it's extremely timely for them.
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