The best theme for this trip may be summed up as "learning happens". Classrooms are great places to talk about the outside world but there is nothing quite like stepping into the places we talk about and experiencing them. Standing in the place where Pickett's division prepared to make their deadly charge, shooting hoops on the same court Jim Thorpe played, walking among the crowds listening to an array of languages in New York, sitting in the front row at a Broadway play, and riding subways in Washington and New York all bring forth learning in a way that will last so much longer than anything we read in a textbook.

This trip was also about seeing possibilities and making things happen. My role in this journey was to plan events, coordinate reservations, manage the budget, and keep everyone safe. The class came up with the idea, raised the money and convinced those that needed convinced that we should do this. They gave up a Senior Trip. Although, knowing this group, they may go back into fund raising mode and still manage a Senior trip next year. In 20 years of teaching, I haven't known many groups who could organize themselves and pull something like this off. Their behavior on the entire trip was exemplary and their ability to put aside their individual wants and needs and focus on the group needs was both remarkable and part of what made our experience a success.

To all of you who made this journey and to all who followed us in spirit, it is my hope that you see this not as the trip of a lifetime but the beginning of a lifetime of trips. On behalf of the group, I want to thank everyone who helped make this adventure possible. I also want to publicly thank Barbara Landis of the Cumberland County Historical Society for the great tour of the Carlisle Indian School campus as well as for her work keeping this part of our history alive.
-Mr. Lang-