Cultural Connections Trip: State

Nashville & Knoxville

Boys receive a crash course on the Volunteer state! On this trip, the boys will broaden their knowledge by experiencing important cultural sites of our state, such as the State Capitol, Smoky Mountain National Park, and the Cumberland Caverns.

Our Tennessee Trip is planned in conjunction with and helped led by Jimmy Ogle, a PDS Alumni and Memphis Historian.

This trip provides the boys a great opportunity to foster independence and expand their perspectives in their learning experience of Tennessee.

4th Grade:
Dates April 23-25, 2025

Drop-In Parent Meeting
September 11, 2024 • 7:45am • Hussey Commons

2025 Trip Info for Parents

Email to Parents: Thursday, Mar 27, 2025

Fourth Grade Parents,

We are just over three weeks away before your son departs for an exciting and unforgettable educational journey through the state of Tennessee.

We are including a few updates and reminders for you below. Please carefully read all the details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please take time to review the most frequently asked questions about the trip.

Trip Leaders:

Brad Sewell, Tony Rudzena, Palmer Albertine, and Mark Fruitt.

Each faculty member will serve as the equivalent to a camp counselor while traveling. Each faculty member will be assigned a few boys to their group. PDS will send a list of groups and assigned faculty members in our next communication.

If you have any questions, please email or contact your group leader once groups are released.

Packing List

Boys will follow the PDS dress code while traveling. We ask that each boy bring a PDS hoodie or long sleeve PDS shirt for a couple of group pictures.

Each student is to have one suitcase and one backpack. The average temperatures in Nashville for late April are: 74°F (High) and 53°F (Low). For Knoxville: 74°F (High) and 51°F (Low). Please be mindful of the temperatures as you pack for the trip.

Backpack
Raincoat / poncho (no umbrellas)
We will take two group photos while on the trip in PDS attire. We will notify the boys of the days they are to wear PDS attire. We ask that each boy bring a PDS hoodie or long sleeve PDS shirt.
Each day of the trip will follow PDS dress code.
1 pair comfortable walking shoes
Sleeping attire
Spending money (small bills if possible) / secure wallet
Toiletry items (toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, brush/comb).
Camera
Medication (if needed) in ziploc bag labeled
Pillow
Sleeping Bag
Towel

THINGS NOT TO BRING

Phones / tablet / computers / gaming devices

Medications

Please give any prescription and over-the-counter medications with instructions to Mrs. Alice Ball, our school nurse, by Thursday April 17th.

All medication for your son should be turned in to Nurse Ball by Thursday, April 17th.

Bus Departure

We will arrive at PDS at 7:15am to load up our Charter Bus and depart for Nashville. More details on the logistics of drop off will be provided in the next communication.

Lodging

YMCA Nashville

Bridgemont Camp

Remind App

Pictures of the boys’ experiences in Tennessee will be sent via the Remind app. Please text 81010 with message: @pdstn25 or click this link.

Food Costs

The cost of two lunches, and a dinner will be each boy’s responsibility. We suggest providing $20 for each meal for a total of $60. If you want your son to purchase snacks and/or souvenirs, you will want to send more money with him.

You may wish to send cash with your son (if so, please place it in an envelope). His group leader will help him keep track of his meals and budget.

This is an excellent opportunity to foster independence in our boys. If you are concerned about your son keeping up with his money, you may give this to his group leader before we get on the bus to depart. They will distribute his money as needed.

If you prefer to send him with a credit card, please let your group leader know. We highly suggest using a Greenlight card. Boys have been having trouble with Gift Cards at many food venues in the past few trips, so we will strongly encourage you to NOT use a gift card.

Packing List

Boys will follow the PDS dress code while traveling. We ask that each boy bring a PDS hoodie or long sleeve PDS shirt for a couple of group pictures.

Each student is to have one suitcase and one backpack. The average temperatures in Nashville for late April are: 74°F (High) and 53°F (Low). For Knoxville: 74°F (High) and 51°F (Low). Please be mindful of the temperatures as you pack for the trip.

Backpack
Raincoat / poncho (no umbrellas)
We will take two group photos while on the trip in PDS attire. We will notify the boys of the days they are to wear PDS attire. We ask that each boy bring a PDS hoodie or long sleeve PDS shirt.
Each day of the trip will follow PDS dress code.
1 pair comfortable walking shoes
Sleeping attire
Spending money (small bills if possible) / secure wallet
Toiletry items (toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, brush/comb).
Camera
Medication (if needed) in ziploc bag labeled
Pillow
Sleeping Bag
Towel

FAQ's

Registration Deadline: Sept. 27

PRICING
Through September 27, 2024	$750.00
After September 27, 2024	$850.00

The cost is $750 covering overnight camps, meals, charter bus, tour guides, and chaperones. Food costs for three meals and souvenirs are excluded.

Last day to register is November 8, 2024.

A $250 deposit is due at registration. The balance of your registration fee will be added to your PDS account on February 1, 2025.

Scholarships

Scholarship Application Deadline: November 8th, 2024

Our goal is for every boy to experience the benefits of joining this program and preparing them to be a global citizen. Scholarships are available.

Learn More

manhattan-project-national-historical-park-tennessee

The He Family Scholarship for Cultural Expeditions

With the expansion of the PDS Cultural Expeditions Program, we desire for every boy to participate and have these seminal experiences. Through the He Family Scholarship provided by the He Family Foundation, boys with financial need are able to step into historical spaces and cities to understand the culture and experience those locations play in our history.

The He Family Scholarship for Cultural Expeditions is a need based scholarship providing over 10 students the opportunity to participate in the Cultural Expeditions Program.

Each student receiving the scholarship submits a short reflection paper on his time and learning on the respective trip.

Scholarship Application Deadline: October 13th, 2024

Apply for Scholarship

Sample Itinerary

Day 1

Depart PDS
Tour TN State Capitol
Recess at Centennial Park
Tour the Parthenon
Tour the Hermitage
Dinner and Games at Camp Widjiwagan

Day 2

Breakfast at Indian Creek Camp
Tour Brushy Mountain
Bus Tour of Oak Ridge
Play at World’s Fair Park
Bridgemont Camp

Day 3

Breakfast at Bridgemont

Hike the Smoky Mountains

Lunch at Bridgemont

Depart for PDS

Dinner in Jackson, TN

Arrive at PDS

Frequently Asked Questions

Are scholarships available for Cultural Expeditions Trips?

Our goal is for every boy to experience the benefits of joining this program and preparing them to be a global citizen. Scholarships are available via the He Family Foundation Scholarship for Cultural Expeditions.

Please use this form to apply for a scholarship.

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.

Which faculty will chaperone the trip?

Tony Rudzena oversees the trip and will be accompanied by several faculty, including Head of School Brad Sewell, as well as Palmer Albertine, Paul Warner, Mark Fruitt, one additional 4th grade homeroom teacher, and our school nurse Alice Ball. 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.

What are the dates for the Tennessee Trip?

4th Grade - April 23-25, 2025

How will lodging rooms be supervised?

On this TN trip, we will be staying at two overnight camps (that are very similar to an overnight camp our 5th and 6th grade boys stay at when they go to Victory Ranch). Boys will sleep in cabins that have a large room with multiple bunk beds with a chaperone in an adjoining room. The boys will be monitored by chaperones.

What is the cost of the Tennessee Trip?

The cost is $750 covering overnight camps, meals, charter bus, tour guides, and chaperones. Food costs for three meals and souvenirs are excluded.

Is the Cultural Expeditions Trip required?

Our desire is for every boy of PDS to experience the opportunity to travel and learn about our state. 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.

Is the cost of food included in our trip?

Food costs are included for the meals we have at the overnight camps. The cost of two lunches, and one dinner will be each boy’s responsibility. This is a chance for boys to foster independence on these cultural expedition trips. We suggest that each student budget $20 for each lunch and dinner. Faculty will help boys look after and allocate their money as needed or requested.

How much money should I bring?

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.

What should I wear?

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.

Is there a dress code on the trip?

Yes. The boys will adhere to the PDS dress code while on the trip. The day we visit the State Capitol, students will need to wear PDS spirit shirts or hoodies.

Additionally, no baseball caps are allowed.

Where is the lodging located?

Each year may be different, depending on availability. We will typically stay at Camp Widjiwagan and the Bridgemont Camp.

What electronics am I allowed to bring?

Electronics are not allowed on Cultural Expedition Trips. Daily communications are sent through Remind App and trip chaperones.

Am I allowed to carry a backpack to the places we visit?

Yes you are allowed to bring a bag.