<p>Thank you for the many replies, and I’m encouraged that more than half reported that their students had very positive experiences. </p>
<p>My concerns were those mentioned by roshke … way too many destinations. And then of course there’s the size of the group … four buses traveling together with 200 students, twenty teachers, four security staff and four tour guides. I start thinking about how long it will take to unload 228 persons, organize, get through security, see the exhibit, collect everyone, and get them back on the bus … repeated thirty times over a two-day period. Sounds pretty ambitious to me … but then as I stated in the OP, perhaps that’s just my bias.</p>
<p>My kids did it in 8th grade, they took the train from Boston. They both had a great time, were well chaperoned, and kept safe.</p>
<p>I would try to get more details on the itinerary, and exactly how this trip will be run. I agree with the others, I don’t believe it is possible to hit all those places unless they are only going to spend 20 minutes at each one, which would be pointless. The museums in particular need at least a couple hours each. Not to mention time to get through security, meals, etc. It would be tough to do all that in a week and give it justice.</p>
<p>When my kids did it, they didn’t go to anywhere near that many places. And they had fun events scheduled for the evenings - one night was a dinner cruise, I forget what else. </p>
<p>A lot of these places are on the Mall, and you can walk from one to another, so they won’t have to load/unload the buses 20 times. That takes some time, too.</p>
<p>I grew up in Baltimore and we went to DC on field trips all the time. We would use the entire day for one museum. I can’t fathom trying to rush through everything so quickly.</p>
<p>another vote for too many places to see…</p>
<p>and a vote for making sure your kid stands on the right side of the escalators if s/he values his/her life… only half joking.</p>