At St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, our students have the advantage of being at the center of the capital. This puts us within walking distance of countless cultural, natural, historical, and educational resources within Harrisburg, PA. Our students routinely walk to theaters, museums, libraries, and state government buildings to participate in the real life of our city and region. Every day we live our tag line “The City is Our School!” However, we realize the importance of expanding our students’ experiences through field trips.
Through our EUSA grant, we were able to broaden every student’s understanding that there is world beyond the city and they are a part of it. Our bus becomes quiet when we pass over the bridge to leave town for their first field trip adventures because, for many, it is their first time outside the city of Harrisburg and speech leaves them as they sit in wonder.
This past year, through the EUSA grant, we were able to provide such experiences as heading to Carlisle to listen to the Symphony. Our Middle School students we able to travel to Philadelphia again this year to visit historic sites in the city. The youngest grades of our children went to Wildwood Park to spend the day in the woods and learning of trees and water conservation. Then in two separate trips our Elementary grades and Middle School grades spent a day each in Pine Grove Furnace learning hands on about the environment. A group of Middle School girls went on two weekend trips with teachers and staff to learn about teamwork and building community. Our entire Middle School spent a day touring and seeing what it would like to attend Penn State, Middletown.
All in all, it was an amazing year of opportunities to expand the minds and hearts of our students and a lot of it was made possible by the EUSA grant.
Thank you for this ministry. It is invaluable.