Friends, I wonder if you'd mind helping me with a situation. My son called me this afternoon to tell me he'd gotten a letter of recognition from some kind of leadership foundation. One of his teachers nominated him and he's be asked to join a rather large group of kids from around the country to Washington for a week long tour and activities thing. Really cool stuff! BUT... it's like $3000 plus to go. I've thought of asking if maybe one of the local civic clubs might pitch in but I'm not sure if that's necessary. Have any of you ever had a child attend one of these things? Besides the thrill of going to our nation's capitol, is there a real purpose to this trip? I guess I sound skeptical but I know a lot of things are tossed at kids in the guise of being "good for them" but that's a lot of money to toss at a parent just so some crowd to make a profit. I'm hoping some of our teachers can enlighten me about it. I know I can't afford it but I might could get something worked out if it's for a beneficial purpose.

__________________
As to marriage or celibacy, let a man take which course he will. He will be sure to repent - Socrates

Love is not looking in each other's eyes, but looking together in the same direction - Antoine De Saint-Exupery

Hate to tell you this but these types of trips while good experiences seem to be very pricey $$$ makers primarily. There are a large number of these types of trip groups, I have a friend whose son was offerred this Autralia one and she struggled to figure out how she could possibly gather the $$. My kiddo has gotten a few of the offers as well but for $3000 we could take one hell of a family vacation.

Organizations like these appeal to a parents sense of pride by making you feel so proud that your child was nominated to go. It's like Who's Who, yeah they will stick your kids name in a book but in the end it isn't a book anyone looks at except the parents. I got my invitation to be in Who's who Among America's Teachers yesterday...1) They did not even have my name right and 2) I'm not a teacher yet They are a $$ making scheme.

If you decide to raise the $$ and send him, will he have a wonderful experience???? YES!!!!!

If you don't send him will it affect him negatively??? Nope!

* In highschool I wanted to attend a small state-wide government trip of this sort and I went to the county commisioners and other government peeps and had them sponsor me. It was a good experience but there is no way my single mom could have afforded to send me.

__________________

The practice of putting women on pedestals began to die out when it was discovered that they could give orders better from there.~ Betty Grable

If I wanted your opinion, I'd remove the duct tape and ask you for it.~ Me
<~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
One man's dream is another man's nightmare~~~~> §¤ Lilith ¤§
~>My Scribbles<~
==>Gone Shopping<== ~Just a Quickie~ *~A Celebration Vacation~* ~Surprises~ Sleeping With the Window Open
What Did You Do Today? Self Defense Class ~Short Sweet Snippets~ § Summer Spin § Story Challenge Submission Pajamas

Thanks (((((((((Lil))))))))) I sort of figured as much. I so want him to get some of the good things he's got coming to him but I'm going to be a bit particular about large sums of money even if someone else sponsers him. He's just a 5th grader and I told him lots of other things will come along. He's kept sterling grades and is in the gifted program. I surely want to promote his eagerness to learn every way I can. Both my kids have done well but he's been quite the academic surprise. He was in the hospitol for 8 days in February and still took a test in class to claim the high score. The teacher offered to exempt him and he still went for it. He makes me proud, I want to do the same for him.

__________________
As to marriage or celibacy, let a man take which course he will. He will be sure to repent - Socrates

Love is not looking in each other's eyes, but looking together in the same direction - Antoine De Saint-Exupery

(((((((BigBear57)))))))

Sounds like your boy is going to be getting a lot of these types of honors/opportunities. You are a great parent. It's ok to be selective in which opportunities will be the most bang for your buck. You know most of DC is free entrance...I have been looking at hotels etc. in the area. You could take all your kiddos for way less than $3000 and let him have a chance to see the things that stimulate his interests. (I'm dying to see the new Native American Museum that is affiliated with the Smithsonian)

__________________

The practice of putting women on pedestals began to die out when it was discovered that they could give orders better from there.~ Betty Grable

If I wanted your opinion, I'd remove the duct tape and ask you for it.~ Me
<~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
One man's dream is another man's nightmare~~~~> §¤ Lilith ¤§
~>My Scribbles<~
==>Gone Shopping<== ~Just a Quickie~ *~A Celebration Vacation~* ~Surprises~ Sleeping With the Window Open
What Did You Do Today? Self Defense Class ~Short Sweet Snippets~ § Summer Spin § Story Challenge Submission Pajamas

Thank You Lil Darlin.... I had similar thoughts. I know I could take the family for less than that...and we always have a great time together. Being called a great parent means more than almost anything I can think of. All I can say is I had a great example to follow. It kinda helps I love my kids to bits too... makes it easier.

__________________
As to marriage or celibacy, let a man take which course he will. He will be sure to repent - Socrates

Love is not looking in each other's eyes, but looking together in the same direction - Antoine De Saint-Exupery

Excellent opportunity for your son BigBear! I have to agree the price tag is a wee bit extreme. I took a school trip my junior year of high school that was by bus and we went to the various sites in DC, Maryland, Virginia, and NYC. I was 16 at the time. I know we all mature at differing rates, but even at 16 I don't think I was mature enough to appreciate the magnificence of the sites and sounds. I remember giggling past the Vietnam Memorial, and it wasn't until years later that I was able to understand how disrespectful I had been.

The reason I throw that tidbit out there is that I think there is a level of maturity that is appropriate for visiting the historical sites and being able to truly appreciate the experience rather than just being able to say, yes, I was there.

Maddy, thanks for you input too. I know he'd enjoy the trip but I think your point of a point of maturity to get the full enjoyment out of the trip. We'll wait and see what else avails itself and too I'm planning some trips for us together. Always good to see your comments too btw... such a sweetheart!

__________________
As to marriage or celibacy, let a man take which course he will. He will be sure to repent - Socrates

Love is not looking in each other's eyes, but looking together in the same direction - Antoine De Saint-Exupery