A White House Field Trip

What do you get when you mix high school students, amazing parent chaperones, two history teachers with a crazy idea, and Senator Cardin’s office? An amazing trip to our nation’s capital to visit the White House! On Tuesday, December 13th, our tenth through twelfth grades traveled to Washington, D.C. (with the best bus driver ever—Thank you, Mr. Keith!) for a scheduled tour of the White House. We not only got to tour the White House, we were also lucky enough to see it decorated for Christmas! 

Upon arriving in D.C., our group went through four different security check points before entering the White House. The entrance was framed in decorations and at the top were the words, “We the People.” The tour started in the Visitor’s Foyer of the East Wing and then passed through the East Colonnade. From there, we headed through the East Garden Room past the Library, China, and Vermeil Rooms. Next, we traveled through the East, Green, Blue, and Red Rooms, then the State and Old Family Dining Rooms, before passing through the Cross Hall to exit. There was so much to see and all of the decorations were beautiful. We were able to see portraits of different first ladies and presidents, awe-inspiring architecture, artwork, and more!

After leaving the White House, we walked across the street to the White House Visitor’s Center. There, students were able to see exhibits related to the White House through the years, view a film called “White House: Reflections from Within,” complete a National Park Service activity book to receive badges, and shop in the official White House gift shop. 

Mrs. McLaurin and I had never been to the White House before and this was a fun first experience to share with our students! I couldn’t help but think of the many important historical events and figures that have passed through the very rooms we visited. The students were equally impressed with the experience and enjoyed seeing things that have been discussed in their history classes at school. We hope you enjoy some of the pictures that were taken during our trip. 

-Mrs. Gilroy, Secondary Teacher