Washington DC 2026

Washington DC (Updated 5-21-2026)

• When does the DC trip take place?

  The 8th Grade Washington DC trip will take place Tuesday, May 26 until Friday, May 29, 2026. 

  For emergency contact during the trip- call Michael Lane, CEO, at 773 640-9113.

   

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

  For emergency contact during the trip- call Michael Lane, CEO, at 773 640-9113.

  Departure from Rockford

  We will leave the Lower Academy on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.   We will be leaving at 3:35am.  We will be taking our busses: Bussie and Beagle to O’Hare.   We will be flying on United Airlines flight #482      arriving at Washington D.C. Ronald Reagan airport at 9:59am.

  Return to Rockford

  We depart from Washington D.C. Ronald Reagan airport on Friday, May 29, 2026.   We will be flying on United Airlines flight #2148 departing from D.C. at  6:10pm  and landing at Chicago O’Hare airport at 7:32pm.

  We anticipate returning to the Lower Academy at 9:15pm on Friday, May 29.

• 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?

  Scholars should not bring check-in luggage.  They should bring one carry on and one personal item.

  Items to pack

  – Pajamas for 3 nights

  – Pair of very comfortable walking shoes

  – Four days of socks

  – Four days of underwear

  – Four days of pants and shorts

  – Four days of shirts (including the GRCS/DC shirt)

  – Hat

  – Sunglasses

  – Sun protector

  – Water bottle

  – Rain jacket/hoodie

  – Tooth brush/toothpaste

  – other toiletries (hotel will have soap and shampoo)

  – Book to read on the plane

  – Camera

  – Money for souvenirs (optional) adults are not responsible for any money brought on this trip.

  Do not bring;

  – Electronics or cell phone

  – Candy

  – Liquid exceeding 4 ounces

  – All cl0thes should be appropriate- no lewd messages on shirts, no short shorts, no halter tops or cut-offs.

• 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 $6 to go towards the cost of the trip.  So, if you sell 20 bags of coffee, you earn $120 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)?

  We are excited for our 2026 trip- now four days long.

  Day 1 Tuesday, May 26

  – Leave Lower at 3:45 am

  – Arrive in DC at 9:59 am

  – Check in a hotel/lunch

  – Holocaust Museum

  – Walk the DC Mall (monuments not shopping)

  – Dinner- Tazza Cafe

  – Shear Madness at the Kennedy Center

  Day 2 Wednesday, May 27

  -Breakfast- Sunrise Cafe

  – People’s House (exact replica of the Oval Office)

  – Walk the DC Mall- more monuments

  – Washington Monument

  – Lunch- Elephant and Castle

  – Smithsonian African American History Museum

  – Smithsonian Natural History Museum

  – Dinner- Rice Bar

  – Escape Room

  Day 3 Thursday, May 28

  – Breakfast -Lincoln’s House

  – Smithsonian National Art Museum

  – Tour of the United States Capitol

  – Lunch- at the US Capitol

  – Tour of the United States Library of Congress (home of the Declaration of Independence and the United State Constitution.

  – Baltimore Orioles baseball game, dinner at the stadium

  Day 4 Friday, May 29

  – Breakfast

  – Tour the Washington Monument (tallest building in D.C.)

  – College 101 Visit to Howard University (HBCU)

  Lunch- near Howard

  Return home- flight to Chicago.  Expected arrival in Rockford at the Lower Academy is 9:15pm.

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

  We will be staying at the Courtyard by Marriott Washington DC/U.S Capitol.

  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:

  Mallory Johnson 8th grade instructor.  Mallory has chaperoned multiple Washington DC Trips- She is our DC veteran.

  Molly Kettelhut- former 7th grade instructor, current enrollment and recruitment manager.  Molly has chaperoned a DC trip, two Costa Rica trips, two Africa trips and one Outward Bound trip.

  Zach Stinson- current Behavior Aide at the UA.  This is Mr. Stinson’s first chaperoning trip.

• What is the Luggage Policy?

  Since this is a relatively short trip, we recommend that scholars bring the airline permitted carry on luggage

  Allowance: One carry-on bag + one personal item (laptop bag, purse, etc.).

  Size limit- the carry-on must fit in the overhead bin, max 9 x 14 x 22 inches.  The personal item must fit under the seat, max 9 x 10 x 17 inches.

  Liquids: The 3-1-1 rule applies: 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less, in a 1-quart bag.

  If you plan on sending your scholar with luggage that requires check-in (larger than what is listed above, you will need to pay $70 in advance (no later than May 20, 2026.) 

  Pay for Luggage Here

  Please also remember that scholars are responsible for carrying their own luggage at all times.