America’s Colonial History

History of Williamsburg, Charlottesville, Yorktown, Virginia

Williamsburg, VA

Visit one of America’s oldest cities, witnessing Colonial Williamsburg’s living history museum on this historic, educational field trip!

Arrive in Richmond, VA and head to Charlottesville. After lunch at the famous Mitchie Tavern, a taste of an 18th-Century-style pub, visit Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. Explore the grounds of one of the Founding Fathers and the third president of the United States. On this historic tour, walk among Monticello’s classic architecture, while learning about Jefferson’s vision for America and the realities of slavery on the plantation. Depart for Williamsburg, VA, following dinner, check into the hotel.

Embark to the center of historic Colonial Williamsburg. On a guided tour, explore American History in the making, and learn what life was like in the 18th-century colonial capital of Virginia. Founded as the capital of the Virginia Colony in 1699, Williamsburg grew quickly into the center of political, economic, and social life in Virginia. In the blacksmith’s workshop, learn how these tradesmen shaped metals to build this historic city, and visit the tailor’s studio to witness colonial fashion firsthand. Explore the Governor’s Palace, home of seven royal governors and Virginia’s first two elected governors. Wander through the boxwood maze and beautiful gardens behind the residence. Visit Merchant’s Square, exploring the charming streets and colonial-era storefronts. Continuing the afternoon, explore the historic Jamestown Settlement. Founded in 1607, Jamestown was the original capital and the first English settlement in the New World. In these interactive outdoor re-creations, delve into daily life in early Jamestown and can even climb aboard replicas of the three ships that sailed from England to Virginia with the pilgrims in 1607. Following dinner, end the day with an interactive performance of “Colonial Dance” learning about traditional dancing of the time.

Travel through farm country on the way to Charles City, VA. Tour the Shirley Plantation, Virginia’s first plantation which is still currently owned by ancestors of the original founders. The plantation was built in 1613 and remains mostly in its original state. Be transported back in time while touring the grounds and participating in a traditional game of lawn bowling. Following lunch, visit the American Revolution Museum, where history is brought to life and visitors are transported to the dawn of the nation’s founding. At the Continental Army Encampment, discover the life of a Revolutionary War soldier, from exploring their living quarters to participating in daily drills and exercises. Experience the daily life of an 18th-century farming family while visiting the Revolution-era farm. Following dinner, enjoy a night out playing games and riding go-karts. Back in the hotel, students will rest up and prepare for the last day of their historical field trip experience!

Depart for our return flight home, reflecting on the deep colonial history rooted at the heart of our nation, Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown, Virginia.

INSTRUCTORS ARE:

Experienced and professional
Required to complete an intensive on-site training program
Present the program material in a way that makes it come to life
Lifeguard, First Aid and CPR certified
FDLE and FBI Level 2 Background Checked
ASAP-Camp Safety Certified

OUR PROGRAMS BUILD…

Self-confidence
Self-reliance
Teamwork
Friendships
Leadership skills
A “can do” attitude

OUR FIELD TRIPS INCLUDE:

Certified instructors
All meals and snacks-full day and overnight trips
Activity fees
All equipment
Transportation
Educational journals
Bus activities
Accommodation-overnight trips

FLEXIBILITY AND CUSTOMIZATION:

Each trip is carefully planned to provide an educational and memorable experience
All programs can be custom tailored to meet your school’s individual needs
Level of instruction varies based on grade level.
All programs are taught using a fun, interdisciplinary and hands-on approach
Local history is incorporated into the learning experience
Scholarships available so no student gets left behind

Florida State Standards Following Grades 5-12

Students will:

investigate the history of slavery in the south and note the changes that have occurred as a result of the practice
- SS.5.A.4.6 Describe the introduction, impact, and role of slavery in the colonies.
  
  SS.5.AA.1.1 Examine the life of African Americans in the colonial era.
  
  SS.68.AA.1 Understand the causes, courses and consequences of the slave trade in the colonies.
  
  SS.68.AA.1.5 Analyze slave revolts that happened in early colonial America and how political leaders reacted
  
  SSS.7.CG.1.5 Describe how British policies and responses to colonial concerns led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence
  
  SS.8.A.2.3 Differentiate economic systems of New England, Middle and Southern colonies including indentured servants and slaves as labor sources.
  
  SS.912.AA.1 Examine the causes, courses and consequences of the slave trade in the colonies from 1609-1776.
  
  SS.912.AA.1.6 Describe the harsh conditions in the Virginia Colony.
  
  SS.912.AA.1.10 Evaluate efforts by groups to limit the expansion of race-based slavery in Colonial America.
  
  SS.912.AA.1.11 Examine different events in which Africans resisted slavery.
  
  SS.912.AA.1.2 Analyze the development of labor systems using indentured servitude contracts with English settlers and Africans early in Jamestown, Virginia.
understand the intersection between history and art through the use of historic buildings
- SS.8.G.2.1: Identify the physical elements and the human elements that define and differentiate regions as relevant to American history.
  
  SS.8.G.6.2 Illustrate places and events in U.S. history through the use of narratives and graphic representations.
  
  SS.912.G.6.4 Translate narratives about places and events into graphic representations.
  
  SS.912.H.1.1 Relate works in the arts (architecture, dance, music, theatre, and visual arts) of varying styles and genre according to the periods in which they were created.
  
  SS.912.H.1.2 Describe how historical events, social context, and culture impact forms, techniques, and purposes of works in the arts, including the relationship between a government and its citizens.
  
  SS.912.H.1.5 Examine artistic response to social issues and new ideas in various cultures
  
  SS.912.H.3.2 Identify social, moral, ethical, religious, and legal issues arising from technological and scientific developments, and examine their influence on works of arts within a culture.
appreciate the significance of the African American contribution to the Virginia Colony
- SS.5.AA.1 Resiliency, contributions and influence of African Americans on the United States beginning in the colonial era through westward expansion
  
  SS.6.W.1.5 Describe the roles of historians and recognize varying historical interpretations (historiography).
  
  SS.6.W.1.6 Describe how history transmits culture and heritage and provides models of human character.
  
  SS.8.A.2.7 Describe the contributions of key groups (Africans, Native Americans, women, and children) to the society and culture of colonial America.
  
  SS.8.E.2.3 Assess the role of Africans and other minority groups in the economic development of the United States.
  
  SS.912.AA.1.9 Evaluate how conditions for Africans changed in colonial North America from 1619-1776.
  
  SS.8.A.2.4 Identify the impact of key colonial figures on the economic, political, and social development of the colonies.
  
  SS.7.CG.1.5 Describe how British policies and responses to colonial concerns led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence.
  
  SS.8.CG.1.1 Compare the views of Patriots, Loyalists and other colonists on limits of government authority, inalienable rights and resistance to tyranny.
  
  SS.912.AA.1.8 Analyze the headright system in Jamestown, Virginia and other southern colonies.
explore the elements of a city that contributes to its unique character and significance in terms of American history
- SS.7.G.2.1 Locate major cultural landmarks that are emblematic of the United States.
  
  SS.7.G.2.2 Locate major physical landmarks that are emblematic of the United States.
  
  SS.7.G.2.3: Explain how major physical characteristics, natural resources, climate, and absolute and relative location have influenced settlement, economies, and inter-governmental relations in North America.
  
  SS.8.G.2.2: Use geographic terms and tools to analyze case studies of regional issues in different parts of the United States that have had critical economic, physical, or political ramifications.
  
  SS.8.G.3.1: Locate and describe in geographic terms the major ecosystems of the United States.
  
  SS.912.G.2.1: Identify the physical characteristics and the human characteristics that define and differentiate regions.
  
  SS.912.G.4.5: Use geographic terms and tools to analyze case studies of the development, growth, and changing nature of cities and urban centers.