Anonymous wrote:So far, I know imagination stage and butler orchard, what about other common school trip list that your kid has been to through school? I want to avoid taking DC to those places, and they are saved for possible school trips as new & exciting experiences.

The only system-wide field trips are to Strathmore in 2nd and 5th grades and outdoor education in 6th grade. There are some magnet or special programs that include certain field trips. But otherwise, field trips are all planned at the school level. Different schools may have different traditional trips they take, but a lot of that has been disrupted over the past couple of years and I wouldn't count on any particular thing.

Please take advantage of all of the wonderful resources in the area and take your kid. It doesn't matter if they go to the same place on a filed trip, it will still be special because they are with friends.

So sad my kids missed so many trips.
They all did the zoo in one of the lower grades and air and space museum also.

15:25 again

I’d forgotten Medieval Times, but my kids went there, as well. That may be system-wide.

Pre-COVID, I think all MCPS students went to Strathmore once in ES (2nd grade? - I can’t remember exactly) to hear the orchestra play. They also had outdoor ed in 6th grade. Beyond that, I think all field trips were at the discretion of the individual schools and/or teachers.

For example, my kids went to Mount Vernon, BlackRock Center for the Arts instead of Imagination Stage, maybe Butler’s Orchard, and had one day on the mall in small groups where they saw whatever the group/group leader decided. I think most groups spent sone time at the Smithsonian, but not all groups went to the same museum. I don’t think they went to the other places people have listed.

Other field trips I remember them having were to Annapolis, pool parties, Maryland Science Center, the Newseum, and some sort of pioneer experience run by MCPS. I don’t think all schools went to these, it just happened to be the experience for my kids’ classes.

I think your best bet would be to email your school office and ask what field trips they usually send kids to. Moreover keep in mind that a school visit is different than a family visit. There may be special programming/activities provided for a school group that families might not get, but families would have more time and flexibility to explore.

Middle schoolers sometimes go to Medieval Times

Aquarium
Zoo
Smithsonian museums
Recycle center
Chicoteaque

Younger kids-
Library
Petco
Playground / train
Whole Foods
Bakery
Post office

Most of these trips haven't happened since pre-pandemic. I hope they come back next year, but bus driver shortages may still be an issue.

4th grade: St. Mary's City
5th grade: Mount Vernon

So far, I know imagination stage and butler orchard, what about other common school trip list that your kid has been to through school? I want to avoid taking DC to those places, and they are saved for possible school trips as new & exciting experiences.