Each year, St. Mary's eighth graders explore the earliest roots of our nation as they follow a historic trail from the first capital of English America, Jamestowne, Virginia to the place we hold dear as our national capital, Washington, D.C.

Our first day of exploration takes us to Jamestown Festival Park where a recreated fort, Powhatan Indian village and three tall-masted ships await us. We make a visit to the ruins of the original glass house of 1608 and then observe glass blowing in a recreated glasshouse using methods from that era. Our final stop is at historic Jamestowne Island (also http://www.apva.org/ and http://www.apva.org/) were we interact with the excavated ruins of this first permanent English settlement in North America, and visit the Memorial Church which covers the foundations of the 1617 frame church where the first representative legislative assembly in North America met in 1619. St. Mary's students who visit Jamestown in 2007 have an added opportunity--they will witness the town as it celebrates its 400th anniversary.

Williamsburg, the 301 acre, outdoor living history museum re-creates the spirit and culture of life in the 18th century capital of Virginia. While here, students visit such places as the Capitol, Governor's Palace, historic trade sites, Courthouse, Magazine, and Guardhouse. A tour of William and Mary College, the nation's second oldest university allows them to consider education from 17th century perspective and lunch in the William and Mary Student Center allows them to witness the hustle and bustle of college life today.

Yorktown Victory Center allows students to explore the Road to Revolution, as they participate in a Continental Army encampment and a farm site from 1780's. The actual battle site is explored with a Siege Line tour.

Next, we set off for Richmond, Virginia and a recreation of Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech in the original St. John's Church. We continue to Monticello, the beautiful home of Thomas Jefferson. Our tour of the house, which is the only house in America designated by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site, also includes Jefferson's burial site. Leaving Monticello, we visit the University of Virginia, which was founded by Mr. Jefferson. After a tour of the historic Rotunda and Lawn at UVA, we spend time meeting athletes from the college and have a question and answer opportunity to talk about what life is like one of America's top ranked university.

The final step of our journey takes place in Washington, D.C. Our tour often begins with a visit to the White House, which we find lavishly decorated for the first family for the Christmas holidays, and then a trip to the capitol building. Lunch at the beautifully renovated Union Station provides students time to relax and enjoy the sights of a city constantly on the move. Examples of sites students visit include the Supreme Court, Air and Space Museum, American History Museum, F.D.R. Memorial, Lincoln and Jefferson Memorial, Ford's Theatre, Washington Monument and Viet Nam Wall. The W.W. II Memorial is the newest site we include along with the International Spy Museum. Our visit to Mt. Vernon is highlighted with a wreath laying ceremony at the tomb of our first president. Our tour is completed by a prayer service and visit to the National Cathedral and a not-to-be-missed Changing of the Guard and Wreath Laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington, National Cemetery.

This eight day journey brings with it an appreciation for what the past has left to us to preserve, protect and defend. It allows for life lessons, co-operative learning opportunities and hands on activities.