Experiences Our Children Will Never Forget

We just got home from a homeschooling weekend field trip to Philadelphia, PA with our American Revolution Coop. The children have been studying the American Rev until the Bill of Rights for the last three months every week on Friday.

This was the "grand finale" of all the smaller field trips and the kids had a BLAST. They were awesome thinkers, learners and citizens on our trip.

Four of the families went on this trip. We left town on Sunday AM (yes, Mother's Day) very early in the morning. We met up Betsy Ross's house for our first stop. The kids were treated to meeting a gentleman as well as Betsy herself ! They enjoyed the "step back into time" ! After Betsy's house we walked over to Christ Church's Cemetary to pay our respects at many influential men who helped shape our Nation. Of course, all the children couldn't wait to toss pennies on Ben Franklin's grave (a popular Philadelphia tradition). Then we continued to the National Park Visitor's Center for a movie of "Choosing Sides". The kids completed the National Park Booklet to become Junior Rangers at Independence Hall "National Park". Then we went over for our tour of Independence Hall. The adults as well as the ranger were beyond impressed that our children's arms were the ones "shooting up" to answer the questions to the entire group. And time after time, our children were right ! The children were certainly "moved" while standing in the same room as our founding fathers. This really put things immediately into perspective. Next, we walked over to the Military Musuem and Carpenters Hall. The ranger at the Military Musuem, came out to pay a HUGE compliment to our children. She was amazed at their inquistive personalities and attention to details. She said she LOVED her job when she rarely found children like ours. (Applause to our kids !) After dinner, we journeyed to the hotel where the children couldn't wait to jump into the swimming pool.

The 2nd day we were up again early and headed into Philadelphia. We began watching the 2nd movie at the Visitor's Center and then journeyed to the Liberty Bell. Again, the children were amazed when they saw the Bell that has rung on the most important occasions of our country. After that we went to the Mint, the Constiution Center and to Franklin's Court. The Constitution Center was a highlight of the trip ! This is a new museum and it has over 100 hands on activities dealing with the consitution, Amendments and Bill of Rights. The kids had so much fun ! My daughters favorite part of this museum was dressing up in a Supreme Court Justice's robe and reading cases of the Supreme Court then deciding based on the Amendments what she would decide and then comparing it to what the acutal decision was. Amazing ! All the children also loved posing with the Life Size Bronze Statues of the signers of the constitutions.

Field Trips that make sense ! This is yet another reason, homeschooling works for us. Actually taking the time out and going to visit what she has studied. Having the field trips "make sense" and make sure they are relevant.

This is an experience our children will never forget !