Where Civic Lessons Come Alive for Student Tours

Learning about the inner workings of government plays a major role in student travel, and few destinations provide more grist for the civics mill than capital cities. Tour planners know the educational value of visiting a state capitol building, courthouse or governor’s mansion. Our ultimate capital city, of course, is Washington, D.C., but each state has a capital where students can see lawmakers in action and admire domed wonders with stately rotundas, monumental paintings, and vast expanses of marble and granite.

Consider a Capitol Tour

Students don’t have to be residents of a state to reap the benefits of a capitol building tour. Most state houses abound with art-work, architectural splendor, American history lessons—and quirky curiosities—that transcend state boundaries.

On a trip to Denver last summer, I walked up 99 steps to the observation deck of the gold-plated dome of the Colorado State Capitol. Spread out before me were panoramas of the Mile High City and snow-crested Rocky Mountains. Also noteworthy was the portrait gallery of U.S. presidents from George Washington to George W. Bush. The 13th step on the Capitol’s west side was determined to be a mile high at 5,280 feet and bears the inscription “one mile above sea level.” It makes a great picture, but when Colorado State University engineering students in 1969 determined the mile mark was off a bit, a small geodetic survey plug was installed three steps higher.

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We hope this issue of Prep Traveler will be a valuable resource for building itineraries and sparking ideas for new destinations. Because the market moves so fast, I would encourage you visit our website www.PrepTraveler.com to keep pace with all the changes in youth group travel. It’s a great way to stay current and get information provided by your colleagues and peers.

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