A group of 37 excited Year 6 Saltus students, along with five staff members have visited Washington DC and Virginia on the annual History Trip.

Students Kian Mooney and Caspar Ringsted commented: “At the American History Museum we saw the star spangled banner — the original flag of the USA from the Revolutionary War. It really brought what we studied in history class to life.”

Another student recalled the thrill of standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in the exact spot where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr gave his “I have a dream” speech.

The students also travelled to Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg in Virginia and explored the “Bermuda connection” as well as life in the early colonies. Kian and Caspar said: “For the past two years we studied Jamestown, the 13 colonies and the connection between early America and the colonisation of Bermuda. So, it was interesting to see the ships, the Native American village and the fort at Jamestown.”

The experience was enhanced by the living museums at these locations where students could see, hear, touch, smell and experience what life was like at the beginning of the 17th and 18th centuries. Kian and Caspar and their travel mates gave the trip “two thumbs up” and said: “If you like history, war and fun adventure, this is the trip for you.”

According to the chaperones, for most of the students this was their first time travelling without family members and therefore provided another learning experience as they took responsibility for themselves and their belongings.