Field trips have become a staple in education by providing students with an opportunity to leave the classroom and see the world beyond their books. From amusement parks to foreign travel, the field trips teach lessons beyond the school curriculum. At Springfield, the trips to Dorney Park, Hershey, and Europe represent the significance of these visits in various ways. Whether it be commemorations, learning experiences, possibilities for students to connect and become more mature individuals, or a combination of all, Springfield’s field trips have proved a valuable part of Spartan culture.
Dorney Park: Honoring the Junior Year Achievement
The junior class of Springfield is preparing to have a celebratory and joyful day at Dorney Park.
This trip began as a replacement for the missed 8th-grade class trip but has now become an annual tradition.
Initially, the day was thought of as a “Junior Day” when Mr. Washam was a junior advisor. The day was planned as a “celebration of junior year and as a transition into senior year.” However, the acceptance of class rings began to lose its value as a junior class tradition. That’s when Mr. Washam and Mrs. Spoll came up with the idea of Dorney Park.
Dorney Park presented itself as a destination for the journey in its capacity as a fast-paced, secure, and fun way to bring juniors together. Since 75% of the junior class pre-registered to attend, this year’s event will be a “huge success.” The outing will take place on Thursday, May 29th, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and the $37 fee includes admission to the park and all-you-can-ride privileges.
Hershey: A Senior Tradition of Reunion
For seniors, the Hershey trip, organized by Mrs. Sheahan on May 29th, provides a final opportunity to have a fun-filled day with friends before graduation. With 108 seniors attending, the day trip provides an opportunity for students to break away from the stress of the last days of high school.
Though the general intent of the trip is to commemorate the end of their high school days, it is also when seniors can “relax and create memories with friends whom they may not have had the chance to become as familiar with throughout the school year.”
A short drive away, Hershey offers more than mere amusement rides. With its zoo, boardwalk, and, naturally, its legendary chocolate factory, there is something for everybody.
The day is designed to be available to all, with cost being the top priority. The senior class fund pays $10 of the cost for each student, reducing the price from $45 to $35. Mrs. Sheahan emphasizes that “everyone, even those who have financial limitations, can go.”
The trip leaves at 9 a.m. and returns students to school at about 8 p.m. after a day filled with fun and camaraderie. A long tradition, the Hershey trip gives seniors one last opportunity to celebrate the high school years and make memories that will last a lifetime with peers and classmates.
Europe Trip: Educational Travel to Germany
While there are also field trips that are centered on enjoyment and amusement, there are also those that give the students exposure to new cultures and learning.
An example of such a learning opportunity is the trip to Europe. Students will get the ability to visit Germany, The Czech Republic, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and an extension to France from June 15th until June 27th. With 67 students, 4 parents, and 10 chaperones, the trip is an exclusive experience of sightseeing European cities and places which the school has not yet visited.
The tour was designed to provide the students with a reasonable and worthwhile touring experience. Sightseeing aside, the educational merit of the tour lies in the “experiential learning of various cultures, social interaction with international classmates, living with international modes of transportation, and an exploration of diverse foods” as Mr. Washam comments. They are all the sort of things that are “far beyond classroom walls, and that would be hard or impossible to provide through textbooks.”
For the majority of students, it is their first experience outside their home countries or even in airplanes, something which will help them overcome the scariness of change and be confident travelers.
This trip could also inspire study abroad interest in future years. In the words of Mr. Washam, who has organized the school’s tours to Europe every other year, such trips “expand the horizons of students and bring to them an awareness of something more than what is offered within the classroom.”
Next year’s trip to Europe is already being planned, with 2027 looming in the future. Underclassmen who would like to go on next year’s next few trips are also encouraged to talk to Mr. Washam about ideas for future destinations!
