Washington DC 2026

Washington DC (Updated 10-29-2025)

• When does the DC trip take place?

  The 8th Grade Washington DC trip is tentatively scheduled  for May 26-29, 2026. 

• What are the travel/flight details for the DC trip?

  TBD

• How do scholars qualify to attend the Washington D.C. program?

  -Scholars must have a 93% or higher attendance rate from September 23, 2025 to May 15, 2026. 

  -Scholars must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA for all classes. This is 70% or higher in all classes. 

  -Scholars must have no excessive behavior issues or suspensions from September 1, 2025 to June 3, 2026.

  -Scholars may not have behavior issues on the busses.

  -Scholars must complete their assigned D.C. presentation and present findings in (specific dates to be assigned.)

   

• What should scholars pack for the DC program?

  Please click below for the suggested packing list.

  Coming Soon!

• How much does the Washington DC program cost?

  The DC trip traditionally costs $2,000-$3,000 (based upon what other schools charge.)  But, at GRCS, we try to make all of our programs accessible.   Families only need to pay $220 for the program.  This includes flight, hotel, food and entrance fees to sites.

  Parents can pay in increments of $55 on the GRCS website.  Payments are due:

  First Payment of $55 due by: November 21, 2025

  Second Payment of $55 due by: December 20, 2025.

  Third Payment of $55 due by January 15, 2026.

  Fourth and final Payment of $55 due by February 15 2026.

  There are no refunds, for any reason, after January 15, 2026.

  Payments can be made here:

  Pay for DC Here
  

• Can we fundraise to help pay for some of the payments?

  Yes, you can!  Galapagos offers three different types of coffee that can be sold to friend, family and co-workers.

  Each bag of coffee costs $13.99.  For each sale of coffee, the scholar raises $5 to go towards the cost of the trip.  So, if you sell 20 bags of coffee, you earn $100 towards the trip.

  Fundraising is not required.

  The types of coffee we have are:

  Balanced

  

  Aromatic

  

  Chocolaty

  

  Buy coffee here!

• Can my scholar bring electronics? Will he/she be able to call home during the trip?

  Scholars may not bring electronics nor may they call home during the trip.

  As discussed in our orientation meeting, we want scholars to be in the moment and fully immerse themselves in this educational adventure.   Therefore, phone and electronics are not permitted.  Please review the policy here: Communication and Electronics -Project Passport 2023.

  Scholars may bring cameras as long as they do not have internet connectivity.

• What will scholars do on the trip (agenda)?

  Sample Iternerary (Based up June 2025 trip.)

  4:30am Leave Rockford for O’Hare

  10:00am– Arrive in Washington D.C. and go to hotel to drop off bags.

  11:30am– Visit outside of the White House

  12:15pm- Lunch and travel to Pentagon

  2:oopm- Tour of the Pentagon

  4:00pm- WWII Monument

  6:30pm- Dinner at Tazza Cafe

  8:00pm- Kennedy Center- to see the play Shear Maddness.

  10:00pm Return to hotel.

  Second Day

  7:15 am Breakfast- Lincoln’s Wafflehouse

  9:30am– Visit Ford’s Theater (site of President Lincoln’s assasination and the Peterson House where he perished.)

  11:15am– Lunch

  1:00 pm Tour Washington Monument

  1:45pm– Tour of monuments on the National Mall (World War II Memorial, Viet Nam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, MLK Memorial and others!)

  6:30pm- Washington National game against the Chicago Cubs (dinner at the game).

  10:oopm Return to hotel

  Third Day- 

  7:00 am Breakfast – Founding Farmers

  9:00am  The People’s House- an exact replica of the Oval Office

  11:00am Lunch at the Capitol Building

  12:10pm Tour of the US Capitol

  2:45pm Holocaust Museum

  7:00pm Flight to Chicago (light dinner at airport)

  10:00pm Tentative time of return to Rockford and Lower Academy.

   

• Where will scholars be staying in Washington D.C.?

  We will be staying TBA.

  Scholars will stay in rooms based upon gender.  There will be up to four scholars in a room.  No scholar will have a private room.

• Who is chaperoning the Washington D.C. trip?

  The total number of chaperones on this trip will be dependent upon the number of scholars attending.  We aim for approximately one chaperone for every six scholars.

  Currently the chaperones are:

  TBA