Heading to Washington, D.C., for a school trip is exciting! To make sure you’re ready for all the adventures ahead, here’s a comprehensive guide on what to pack and how to stay connected throughout the trip.
What to Pack
So it’s finally here—Washington D.C., here we come! But wait, there’s one more part we need to consider. Something that has the power to make you feel like a travel champion ready for any and every situation that comes your way or… wish you had never punched your ticket in the first place—that thing is packing.
What you decide to bring on this exciting adventure through the country’s capital can make or break your trip – but you’re in luck, we’ve got you covered!
Here’s a list of essentials to ensure you’re as prepared (and comfortable) as possible:
1. Comfortable Shoes
The most essential item on this list is shoes. The decision on what shoes to bring can’t be any more important, as most of your time will be spent on your feet. You’ll be walking a lot while exploring museums, monuments, and historic sites, and you may encounter uneven terrain, so we think you need to bring shoes that can withstand the duration of your trip.
Tip: Pack pairs of walking shoes that have been broken in and avoid sandals at all costs. Shoes with the best support are highly recommended, as they will help you navigate longer days out and about on all types of surfaces.
2. Weather Protection
Just as much as the right clothes can make or break a trip, so can the weather. However, what can salvage that is being ready for whatever the forecast may be. Tip: Always bring clothing that can be worn in any weather situation. A hoodie for cooler evenings, a light jacket for rain, lightweight T-shirts in case you feel warm, and a pair of breathable pants, such as joggers, for days when jeans may be a bit too heavy for those longer walks.
3. Portable Battery Pack
It is vital to make sure all electronic devices are charged and prepared for use in the event of an emergency. Many times, on trips like these, breaking off into groups can occur, and people can get lost in the shuffle. Be reachable and able to reach someone else, if need be.
But also—it’s Washington, D.C.! There will be many opportunities to snap pictures, take videos, and share your experiences with your online friends and family. Stay charged so you can take full advantage of all this trip has to offer.
Tip: A portable battery pack is a convenient way to ensure your phone stays charged throughout the day, especially in the evenings when you may need to remember to use your standard wall charger.
- Label Everything: Ensure all items are labeled with your name to avoid mix-ups.
How to Stay Connected
Gone are the days of creating a reminder or group chat for the trip to communicate before, during and after the trip, all while never needing to provide your personal cell number. Using your admin login to our system, you have all the contact information and more that you will ever need for the trip from start to finish.
Download the Student Adventures Trip App
- Unique Login: Student Adventures shares with all parents and students how to download this trip app. Once downloaded, everyone’s home screen will include your school’s logo.
- Live Itinerary: This provides not only the itinerary for each day, but you can touch any attraction to learn more about that visit. For all the meals, you can touch that venue to see the restaurants, their menus, and all that will be made available for that meal.
- Hotel & Motorcoach Company: See the contact information including phone number for these vendors if you need to check out anything in advance or look for something lost once the trip returns.
- Trip Chat ™ : You and the tour director can text or email any audience you wish in this no reply system. For everyone on the trip, remind them what time and where we are meeting, what is not allowed in a particular building, or what time and where breakfast is the next morning. For parents at home, send them a message informing them how things are going and update them what time we will return to the school.
- Info Collection: All the contact information like emails and cell phone numbers are gathered in the registration process and that includes the parent’s permission for you and the tour director to send texts to the student.
Learn More with Student Adventures
The learning doesn’t stop here! For additional tips and resources on preparing for your school trip, visit Student Adventures. If you are looking to UPGRADE your Student Travel experience, then send us an email at info@studentadventures.orgHappy packing, and see you soon in D.C.!