As a part of our Cultural Expeditions Program at PDS, we believe that giving students the opportunity to explore and grow in their understanding of their own culture, its history, and their nation’s capital is essential to developing their understanding of civic duty, their identity as U.S. citizens, and their ability to think globally. This trip is intended to immerse our students in the functions of our federal government, our nation’s history, and to experience one of the most important cities of the world.
Meet in Hussey Commons before Departure
Departure for Nashville International Airport
Arrival at BNF and Flight to Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Dinner at Pentagon City Mall
Hotel Check-In Westin Crystal City
Day 2
Breakfast at Hotel
Air & Space Museum
Museum of American History
Lunch at American History Museum
Football and Frisbee on the National Mall
Museum of African American History
Football, Frisbee, and Free Time on the National Mall
Dinner near Gallery Place
Lincoln Assassination Tour
Day 3
Breakfast at the Hotel
Depart for Philadelphia by Charter Bus
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Lunch at Reading Terminal
Tour Independence Hall
Visit the Liberty Bell
Carpenter’s Hall
Dinner in Philadelphia
Arrive at Westin Crystal City
Day 4
Breakfast at Hotel
Tour of the U.S. Capitol Visit House of Representatives and Senate (if available)
Lunch at U.S. Capitol
Tour the Library of Congress
Tour the Supreme Court (if available)
Football, Frisbee, and Free Time on the National Mall
Tour the National Archives (see the Declaration of Independence & Constitution)
Dinner near L’Enfant Plaza
Monuments Bike Tour (Washington, Lincoln, MLK, JFK, Vietnam, Jefferson, WWII, and Korean War)
Day 5
Breakfast at Hotel
Tour of Arlington National Cemetery
Changing of the Guard
Lunch at L’Enfant Plaza
International Spy Museum
Football, Frisbee, and Free Time on the National Mall
Dinner at Pentagon City Mall
Visit the 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon
Day 6
Breakfast at Hotel
Flight from DCA to Nashville
Arrive Nashville
Depart for Memphis by Charter Bus\
PDS will utilize the same information provided for your Variable Tuition application to determine eligibility and scholarship amount for Cultural Expedition Program. If you are applying for a CEP Scholarship and not enrolled in our variable tuition program, please contact the Business Office for more information.
SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE
The deadline to apply for a scholarship is April 3, 2023.
We will visit the Capitol, Supreme Court, pass by the White House, Library of Congress, a bike tour of the monuments, visit the major memorials, Mt. Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery, the National Museum of American History, and the Air and Space Museum. We try to provide the students with a balance of historical, cultural, and governmental sites tempered by a fun way of experiencing this from biking the city to investigative walking tours.
Mr. Tony Rudzena oversees the trip and will be accompanied by several faculty. Prior to the trip, we will notify parents of the various faculty members attending. Faculty act in a similar capacity to a camp counselor if your son has been to a summer camp. Throughout the trip, each boy will be part of a smaller group supervised by a faculty member. Communications will be sent during the trip via Remind App with pictures of your son each day.
Hotel rooms will be monitored by chaperones. Additionally, each night a security guard is present on the floor in the hotel that’s booked for PDS boys. Typically, there will only be two boys per room. All rooms are sequestered on a floor with chaperones and a security guard present throughout each night.
Our desire is for every boy of PDS to experience their nation’s Capital and many of the most important sites in the founding of our country. While Cultural Expeditions Trips are not mandatory they are an essential component of PDS culture and curriculum. Students not electing to participate in the program will complete the same curriculum and engage in project based learning on campus.
Food costs are not included in the amount except breakfast. The cost of lunch, and dinner will be each boy’s responsibility. We suggest that each student budget $30 daily for lunch, dinner, and snacks. In order to help you budget for food costs, we will give a precise schedule of meals prior to the trip. Boys typically bring cash and often a credit card or a mix of both. Faculty will help boys look after and allocate their money as needed or requested.
We strongly recommend that boys refrain from carrying too much cash by giving excess amounts to their group leader. They may bring a card if that’s easier. Each morning, group leaders will distribute as much cash as needed. Bring additional money if you plan to buy souvenirs, eat larger than normal portions, or buy snacks.
We recommend dressing with layers that can be removed or worn as the weather dictates, such as a PDS collared shirt and sweatshirt with a rainproof windbreaker. We always provide a packing list of items to be worn on the trip. We are not traveling to Siberia, but remember that your extremities tend to get cold first so plan accordingly. We walk 7+ miles a day so it is essential that everyone wear a good pair of walking shoes. If you plan to purchase these prior to the trip, we suggest that you wear them a few times to break them in before the trip to avoid blisters. The packing list will be sent several weeks before the trip.
Yes. When we attend Arlington National Cemetery for the wreath laying ceremony, those students selected for laying the wreath (if the wreath laying ceremony is allowed) will need to comply with the dress requirements stipulated by Arlington National Cemetery. The day we visit the Capitol and Supreme Court, students will need to wear PDS spirit shirts or hoodies.
It’s safe to assume that you will walk on average 7+ miles a day. Since we travel primarily by Metro, it requires that we walk from our hotel to the Metro to every site on the itinerary. We make this an active trip for boys to harness their energy and keep them engaged.
Yes. However, your bag will be examined and at some federal buildings you are not allowed to bring drinks inside. Chaperones will communicate what is allowed in bags before visiting federal buildings.
Presbyterian Day School (PDS) is a private, Christian preschool and elementary school serving boys from 2-years-old through 6th grade for almost 75 years.
With our mission of striving to glorify God by developing boys in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man, we take a holistic approach to education, nurturing the heart, soul, mind, and body of each boy.
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