Field Trip

As an educator, I have an opportunity to work with students from a variety of backgrounds.  Recently, a friend asked me questions related to situations she was dealing with as a parent volunteer in a nearby school system.  I had the opportunity to encourage her as a parent volunteer to promote and/or sponsor trips to museaums, theaters, concert halls, zoos, planetariums, aquariums, state capitals, restaurants, colleges, etc.   So many children don't get exposure to many of the activities we take for granted. 

If you are like me, you were told from birth "you will go to college".  There was never conversation of any other options in my household.  My husband and I have preached the same sermon to our kids.  As and educator, I have people question me as to  why students don't take advantage of college when in some situations the student could practically go for free with financial aid packages.  Many of these same students have never had a family member attend college.  These same students might not ever have an opportunity to visit a college.  I encourage you to make sure your kiddos get these opportunities.  If possible, make sure other kids in your community schools get to visit institutions of high learning- sponsor a trip or take those extra football tickets and take some kids to the game w/you.

This weekend our son had a chance to visit Duke University for the Duke-Alabama football game.  What a great opportunity to allow our son to visit another great educational institution -even if it was for football!  He has learned so many math and geography concepts from sports.  I don't hesitate to continue to encourage his love of the games.  We sent him off with a camera with new batteries and asked him to document the trip.  He came back with lots of pics of all the Duke University landmarks.  What a great trip for a young man- well worth a day out of school!