HHCA'S 8TH GRADE TRIP 

Washington, D.C. Trip | January 14-17, 2025

 

Every year, HHCA's 8th grade students experience an unforgettable journey to Washington, D.C.  The HHCA Class of 2029 traveled to our nation's capital January 14-17, 2025.  Braving the city's frigid temperatures, students and mentors got an up-close look at the inner workings of our federal government and gained a deeper appreciation for our nation's rich history. 

This trip has become a rite of passage for 8th graders and marks the 20th year that HHCA students have enjoyed this incredible learning experience. An integral component of HHCA's United States History curriculum, the trip connects classroom lessons in a powerful way, giving students a much greater understanding of how our government functions as well as a comprehensive look at our nation's heritage.

On their first full day in our nation's capital, students received a guided tour of Capitol Hill, where they learned more about the legislative process and the heart of American democracy. They toured the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court, and they rode the Senate underground train from the Capitol building to the Hart Senate Building prior to meeting South Carolina Senator Tim Scott. The group visited the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, and Korean War Memorial in the evening.

The students enjoyed a great week in D.C. It is amazing to watch them walk through the Memorials, visit the Capitol and Smithsonian. This trip brings the classroom to life for our 8th graders.

- Jay Scarbro, HHCA Middle School Principal

The trip itinerary also included time for students and mentors to explore many of the city’s iconic landmarks and museums. They visited the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, and the Library of Congress on Day 2. In addition, they toured the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of Natural History and Museum of American History, as well as the National Archives and its Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom. The Rotunda houses the three documents that have secured the rights of the American people for nearly two and a half centuries: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights.

A tour of the National Holocaust Memorial Museum was a highlight for many students following the "Anne Frank: A History for Today" traveling exhibit, which the Class of 2029 hosted for the community in the fall in partnership with the University of South Carolina's Anne Frank Center.

At the end of each day, students gathered in small groups to talk about what they saw and all that they learned during the day before participating in Mentor-led devotional time. 

The 8th grade D.C. trip is always a special way to acknowledge the significance of the lessons the students our learning in class. As we walked through the Library of Congress in complete awe, we were able to solidify the value of preserving literature and the stories of humanity.” 

- Jessica Tatro, 8th Grade HHCA Humanities Mentor

Steve Bryant, HHCA Director of Security, who chaperoned this year's trip, shared "Mr. Dale does an awesome job with this trip. He packs more into 4 days of touring D.C. than some people are able to see in a lifetime. It’s an incredible opportunity for our students."  Andrew Dale, 8th grade Humanities Mentor and trip organizer shared how special the trip is for our Mentors, "As a group of mentors we get to take kids to the nation's capital and allow them to live out history."