When I first considered taking teens on a major international trip, several of my friends thought, AND said, that I had lost my better senses. Yet I knew this was what I wanted to do because of the major advantage that they would gain from going. Instinctively the knowledge that improving their writing skills was an element to add to the daily activities, as well as their speaking abilities by immersing them in real conversations. As the trip progressed, there were several other aspects learned about traveling with teens which had not been part of the original considerations.
For instance, when the group first arrived at the Grand Canyon and were walking down the path to the viewpoint, one of the students fell scraping her knee badly and banged up her camera. Looking at the other adult, I asked about having a first aid kit in the car, to which the reply was “It’s a rental. Didn’t you bring one?” There was little I could do for the poor girl, who kept insisting it was ‘ok’, but we all knew that it wasn’t. Therefore, I now pack a small first aid kit with at least a sampling of everything that I could remember needing when my own children were small.
The original group were quite the photographers as well! They took pictures of everything, including each meal and each other – frequently! It would be so nice to see some of their best shots to have a sense of their perspective, or to use as a prompt for them or other students to follow. Since then, my knowledge of technology has improved to the point of being able to introduce them to online albums and other slide show tools which they will now be required to develop and share.
The original group were quite the photographers as well! They took pictures of everything, including each meal and each other – frequently! It would be so nice to see some of their best shots to have a sense of their perspective, or to use as a prompt for them or other students to follow. Since then, my knowledge of technology has improved to the point of being able to introduce them to online albums and other slide show tools which they will now be required to develop and share.
On each trip, an international calling card was available for the students to use to be able to talk with their mom once we arrived at our destination. The intention was for them to call at the beginning and about mid-way through the tour. It was later discovered that one of the younger members of the group had written on scraps of paper how much she missed her mother! The learning point here was that no matter the age, especially on the first trip away, more frequent contacts back home are necessary. Skype will be used as well as web-conferencing methods and students are now required to have a blog set up before leaving. This serves a couple of issues; one is frequent contact with the family group at home, and the other is a way of increasing their technological and digital knowledge through writing short essays, which family and friends can read while they are away. It also provides a record for them of what they did so that they can review their own memories.
These educational tours are actually fun for me to set up, but only half as much fun as seeing the students’ knowledge of the world expand, their enthusiasm for learning and experiencing culture increase, and growing as individuals and future global citizens!
The Arizona tour –Phoenix and Grand Canyon- is quickly approaching (June 20 – July 6, 2013) and reservations must be made by May 1st, which will provide a discount.
The Texas Tour – San Antonio and Austin- is scheduled for July 18 – August 2, 2013, and reservations are due by June 1st also providing a discount for early registration.
For more information Contact: Linda Taylor, 482-2625 or by email at: [email protected]
Also, Check out our new Facebook page and click “Like”!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Taylors-Global-Educational-Tours/
The Arizona tour –Phoenix and Grand Canyon- is quickly approaching (June 20 – July 6, 2013) and reservations must be made by May 1st, which will provide a discount.
The Texas Tour – San Antonio and Austin- is scheduled for July 18 – August 2, 2013, and reservations are due by June 1st also providing a discount for early registration.
For more information Contact: Linda Taylor, 482-2625 or by email at: [email protected]
Also, Check out our new Facebook page and click “Like”!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Taylors-Global-Educational-Tours/