In June of 2025 Ms. Bailey, an English teacher here at Lakes High School, is taking students to China! This trip will be for 12 days (possibly 14 with good funding). For more information I asked Ms. Bailey some questions. She said “a group of students was in my room, and we were looking at itineraries, and the cost. They chose the China trip because it was such a unique and rare destination, less traveled to by Americans. Another reason is that the itinerary is really hands on with lots of experiences, not just looking at landmarks and museums”. Some of the things that travelers will be doing include:
*Having dinner with a family in their home and learning about their lives in China
* Taking a dragon boat ride on a traditional boat
* Going to an acrobatic show
* Taking classes taught by locals on making dumplings, tai chi lessons, and calligraphy
* Riding a bike through a tea planation and learning how to harvest/make tea
* Learning about the pandas at the conservatory (and viewing/interacting with the pandas)
In addition to the interactive classes and experiences, we are also going to see The Forbidden City, The Great Wall of China, The Terracotta Army, the Jade Buddha and take several walking tours of neighborhoods and cities.
The cost of the trip includes all travel (4 flights, one bullet train ride), all entrance fees, and tours, all hotel, and all food except lunches. Lunch is choosing your own adventure. Students are responsible for their own spending money, and we will collect tips for the guides and drivers before we leave. Tips are estimated at $7 per day, per person.
I then asked her what she was planning for fundraising “We are going to start fundraising through our travel booster club this summer with one (or more car washes), a spaghetti feed in the fall/winter, potted tulip sales in February, and hanging baskets in March/April. I am open to any other fundraising ideas that students want to bring to the table. We will need parent involvement in the fundraising as a booster club officially requires parents to help run and keep track of the money”.
Ms. Bailey also said “Traveling internationally develops confidence and independence for students that they can explore the greater world around them. Giving them these experiences in a guided tour type setting prepares them for their own adventures later in life. Travel also broadens horizons and helps students understand that they are citizens of a global community, not just their hometowns or home country. By experiencing people and cultures outside their comfort zone students will have a platform for engaging with new people and customs through their careers and further education. I am passionate about creating a global travel program at Lakes that every single student can access”.
Ms. Bailey is planning to do many more of these trips as well as expanding the options for students here at lakes to travel. This trip is going to be such a fun and educational trip and I hope if you see this article, you will consider signing up for the trip. If you do HURRY and do it fast cause the price rises the longer you wait! If you would like the actual itinerary, I have it linked to this article.
