Thursday Evening

The Newseum: part of the Twin Towers

Our visit to the Newseum was enjoyed by all!  This museum is based on the study of news (hence Newseum) and the first amendment.  We all began our visit was a trip into the 4D movie theater (ask your child what made it 4D and not just 3D).  The Newseum included many fun, informative, moving and exciting exhibits, including newspapers from the 17th century to present day, a variety of movies on the history of media in America, a "New Media" room - Twitter and Facebook in the media, a piece of the Berlin Wall, a piece of the Twin Towers from Ground Zero in New York City, as well as a working news studio where students could film and record their own news report!  

The new MLK memorial

Next up, students visited the MLK and FDR memorials, both on the Tidal Basis, making for a beautiful walk beneath the cherry blossom trees, a gift from Japan to the United States.  Though we missed the blooming season of the cherry blossom trees, it was nevertheless beautiful!   

Students were next treated to dinner at MaGill's an all-you-can-eat buffet style restaurant.  Students could choose from a variety of foods to their liking, and even end it with soft-serve vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles (like myself).  Within the restaurant was an arcade, so many students had a blast playing arcade games while other students finished up eating dinner and prior to heading back to the hotel.  

Students eagerly awaiting to board the Cherry Blossom!

After a chance to freshen up and change their outfit if needed at the hotel, we all drove to beautiful Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, located directly on the Potomac River.  We boarded the Cherry Blossom Cruise Boat, where students had a fantastic time talking, singing and dancing.  The boat is three levels: the bottom level was dancing, the middle level with tables for talking, and the top level was a deck.  Chaperones spread out to provide supervision, even through the rain up top!  We were lucky enough to escape the day without any showers, so the quick passing ones during the cruise were no problem at all!  For those interested students, a view from the roof deck provided a great view of planes taking off and landing at Reagan National Airport, which is located right on the Potomac River.  

Students are now tuckered out and fast asleep, but I wanted to make sure I caught you all up on our fantastic day!  Until tomorrow, signing off!

- Steve Guditus