![Reflections of Levine's Experiential DC and NYC Trip: Class of 2023]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1652368278/levineacademyorg/zymmyumhlsew2mofpa0w/BLOG1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1652368278/levineacademyorg/zymmyumhlsew2mofpa0w/BLOG1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1652368278/levineacademyorg/zymmyumhlsew2mofpa0w/BLOG1.png","width":790}])
Monday, May 9, 2022
At 5:15 AM, all seventh graders and their chaperones were at the airport ready to fly to Washington DC. After four sleepless hours on the plane, we had made it. We were met with our ‘home’ bus that would serve us for the duration of the trip. Its first destination for us was Harpers Ferry National Park. At HF, we ate lunch, got a briefing about the history of the area, and then headed off to our hike. We started by checking out some of the town, and before long we were climbing the steps to get up above the town and to the trail. The hike was quite treacherous. There were some jumps, big strides to make, trees and vines to avoid, and throughout all of that the terrain was mostly uneven. But if you just took a second to ignore all of the hazards and take in the nature, you would find it beautiful. As famously remarked by Henry O., “Nature’s Crevices” were quite the charm. You could look through a tunnel of trees from way high up, and it would lead all the way back to the ground. After this gorgeous hike, we went to the hotel. I found this hotel rather charming – I am okay making it my home for the next few nights. After some chillaxing, we went to a rather scrumptious dinner.
We then headed out to see some famous memorials, starting with Lincoln. You don’t know how big Lincoln is until you see him at the Memorial in real life. I’m telling you, he’s huge! We read the Gettysburg Address, and then saw the Washington Monument. Going up and touching it was a neat experience, although licking it (Jeremy) would not be recommended. After gawking about how tall that thing is, we came back to the hotel for some ZZZs and called it a night. - Henry O.
On Monday, the seventh grade woke up bright and early to drive to the airport. We gathered in our matching trip sweatshirts and made it through security. Some students slept on the flight (all of whom were taken pictures of and giggled at; naturally), others played Uno, drew, or talked. Next, we bussed to a historical site, Harpers Ferry National Park. We ate lunch, toured the area, and hiked. The views were beautiful. After bussing to the hotel, we headed to Char Bar for dinner. Lastly, we walked around the Washington Monument, World War II Monument, Vietnam Memorial, and Lincoln Memorial. The Washington Monument stood out to me especially; it towers over you. The white stones were starkly and illuminated against the starry night. The weather was fabulous. - Talia T.
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
I started my day off waking up at 6AM. After having Cheerios for breakfast, and praying in the totally legit and definitely not sketchy basement, we went to Starbucks. Then we rushed to the Black History Museum and saw many interesting things. We ate our lunch at a football field nearby, and got some of our energy out with some sports activities. After saying Birkat, we went over to the Holocaust Museum. At one point, we packed into a boxcar which was used to transport the Jews to camps. We just had a sixth of the amount of people in a boxcar as they had, and we were still packed like sardines. It was the experience that really stood out to me. After having the best sushi I have ever had for dinner, we drove over to the Nationals Stadium for a baseball game and watched them play the Mets. After the game, there were these people on ATV's and dirt bikes doing tricks, then they were followed by the cops. Today was fun, but now, I'm off to bed. - Jacob M.
Today was a fun but it was also a day for learning. I woke up at 7:15 with Adena, Dani Ro., and Leeam. We changed and went down for breakfast. I did not eat breakfast, so after we prayed we went to Starbucks. I got a Strawberry Açaí Lemonade. We were at Starbucks for like an hour and a half. After we finally finished up there we went to the African American History and Culture Museum. It was cool. I was in a group with Leeam, Libby, Lauren, and Dani Re.. Then we went to the park, ate lunch, and played games. Afterward, we went across the street to the Holocaust Museum. It was sad, but I learned a lot. After that, we went back to the hotel and hung out -- we also went to CVS to get candy and food. We then changed and went down for dinner. Finally, we went to the Mets vs. Nationals baseball game. I sat with Leeam, Dani Ro., Yaya, Ophir, and Cooper. Then we came back to the hotel, watched a some TV, and then went to bed. -Skylar R.
Use the hashtag #LevineDCNYCTrip2022 to see more photos from the trip!