Friday July 12th

The JJF Safety Patrols spent their morning exploring George Washington's home on the banks of the Potomac River,  Mount Vernon. Ask your child about the 4-D movie on Washington leading the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War; they loved the billowing smoke and snow!

During the rest of the day, our groups split up to choose different Smithsonian museums to tour. Kids went to the Air and Space Museum, Museum of Natural History, National Museum of the American Indian, Botantic Gardens, and National Gallery of Art. Some also headed to the National Archives to see the Declaration of Independence they'd studied @ Finley this year! It was a big day of walking, and eating on the run. The Patrols are looking forward to seeing their families, eating at home, and taking off their blue visors! We were up at 5 a.m. this morning and we'll be out the door at 5:40. See you tonight.

It has been impossible to watch these kids in the nation's capital without imagining what intriguing missions will bring them back here when they grow up. Surely some will return for college, an internship, or a job -- maybe even the one at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue!

At the Museum of Natural History

Air and Space

The Museum of the American Indian

Thursday June 11th

Thursday June 11th    

 JJF's Safety Patrols started the day at Arlington National Cemetery, where they watched the ceremonial changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, visited President Kennedy's Eternal Flame, and heard lots of interesting military burial stories from our tour guide, Mr. Kenny. (See Mr. Kenny below with our wonderful Sheriff's Deputy, Officer Truluck -- your kids are spending a lot of time with her and she is awesome. Also see your fearless chaperones.)

Next we toured the Korean War Memorial and Lincoln Memorial, where lots of our kids wanted to take pictures. They loved seeing the stone in front of Pres Lincoln where MLK gave his "I Have a Dream" speech. We took a group shot at the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial at Iwo Jima.

In the afternoon our bus cruised through Adams Morgan, Mount St. Alban and other neighborhoods on the way to the National Cathedral. The kids really seemed to enjoy the cathedral and our tour guide there, who talked to them about Gothic architecture in such an interesting way that you may even be able to ask them a question about it and get an answer when they get home. (Also ask them about the Magna Carta; many were listening to that story too.)  They loved it when Mrs. Watkins led them down into the crypt to show them where Helen Keller is buried. When they heard the story they all raced to the plaque that bears her name, and felt the braille underneath.

The height of the day -- 555 feet -- was the elevator ride to the top of the Washington Monument, where they could look out and see many of the destinations they'd toured. Resting back in the shade afterward, they broke out into a spontaneous game of duck-duck-goose in the green grass.

The tourist gift shop was a hit; you may see a D.C. magnet or hat come home, hopefully not a shot glass. Their third night of all-you-can-eat buffet dinner may have them expecting as much ice cream as they wish when they return. The kids got back to the hotel early enough to have "visiting time" where they ran (oop, walked) among each other's rooms to talk and play, it was a lovely end to a lovely day.

JJF Patrols @ Iwo Jima Marine Memorial

JJF Patrols @ the National Cathedral

The kids run to touch Helen Keller's braille plaque at Cathedral crypt

Our tour guide, Mr. Kenny, and Deputy Truluck. Ask your kids about Deputy Truluck, she is a gem!

Your fearless chaperones

Wednesday June 10th

Wednesday June 10th

JJF's Safety Patrols started the day with a visit from our U.S. Rep., Ted Yoho, at breakfast, then headed into D.C. to tour the Capitol Rotunda and the Library of Congress. It was a beautiful day and they had lunch at a park near the Potomac River. At the Holocaust Museum, they toured the children's exhibit "Daniel's Story." Ask your child what they learned about Daniel's life before the Nazi's and after, and if they wrote a note to Daniel. The Newseum was a favorite stop, where many of the Patrols used the interactive news studio to report on TV! After dinner at the Great American Buffet, where they may have had one or two desserts, they headed to a cool evening tour of several memorials, including the World War II, FDR, and MLK Memorial. The kids were so excited when they saw the MLK statue that many of them screamed. They ended the day at the sweeping United States Air Force Memorial, where they could see the Capitol building where they'd started in the morning glowing in the distance. JJF's Patrols listened well throughout the day; they paid attention as our tour guides talked U.S. history to them in the Rotunda and at the other tours. The two teachers with us, Mrs. Watkins & Ms. Zeedyk, commented on how well-behaved and respectful our kids were. Total miles walked = 4.5. Thursday is the big walking day! After breakfast we'll head to Arlington National Cemetery.

JJF Safety Patrols at the White House!

JJF Safety Patrols at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.