8th Grade Class Trip to Washington Scheduled for Spring 2026

Sep 25, 2025 | District, Goff

8th grade students in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

8th grade students in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. in May 2025.

The Board of Education approved the 8th grade class trip to Washington, D.C. for this coming spring at its public meeting on Wednesday evening. The annual trip is a longstanding tradition in the East Greenbush Central School District and provides an opportunity for students to visit the nation’s capital and see historic landmarks and museums during a three-day trip.

The Washington trip for current 8th grade students is scheduled for April 29-May 1, 2026.

Parent Information Meeting
An informational meeting for parents/guardians is scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025. All parents/guardians of current 8th grade students are encouraged to attend so they can learn more about the upcoming class trip.

The information from that meeting will also be shared with parents via ParentSquare the following day.

8th grade students in front of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.

8th grade students in front of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.

Tentative Itinerary

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

  • 5:30am Buses depart Goff
  • 9:15am 20-minute rest stop in New Jersey
  • 12:00pm Eat bagged lunch
  • 1:30pm Arlington National Cemetery/Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
  • 6:00pm Dinner and shopping at the Fashion Mall Center
  • 8:00pm Arrive at hotel
  • 10:00pm Lights out

Thursday, April 30, 2026

  • 6:30am Breakfast at hotel
  • 8:30am Walking tours
  • 10:00am Day tours of Washington
    • Ford’s Theater (guided tour)
    • National Archives (self-guided tour)
    • Holocaust Museum
    • Natural History Museum
    • Smithsonian Museum
  • 12:00pm Lunch (on your own)
  • 5:30pm Load buses for dinner at Union Station
  • 7:30pm Monument tours at night
  • 10:30pm Arrive at hotel

Friday, May 1, 2026

  • 7:00am Breakfast at hotel
  • 8:30am U.S. Capitol/Library of Congress/Remaining DC Sites
  • 11:30am Lunch (on your own)
  • 12:30pm Buses leave for Goff
  • 6:00pm Dinner at Thruway rest stop
  • 8:30pm Arrive at Goff
Students in front of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

Students in front of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

Cost/Fundraising
The cost of the trip is $555.00 per person which includes transportation on coach buses, two nights in a hotel, seven meals, tickets to select museums and attractions and a class t-shirt.

Fundraising opportunities to help defray the cost of the trip include:

  • Annual Pancake Breakfast
    • Students have the opportunity to earn money by selling tickets to the event and also working the event (waiter, busser, etc.)
  • Hoffman’s Car Wash Helping Hands
    • Students can sell Hoffman Car Wash tickets through an online platform. 50% of their total sales will go towards their trip balance.
  • Trip Sponsors
    • Local businesses and community members have the opportunity to sponsor a student and donate where they will have their name added to the back of our t-shirts that will be worn on the trip to Washington, D.C.

Class trip permission forms and a $100 deposit is due by November 28, 2025. Students who return the permission form or deposit after the above date may be placed on a waiting list.

In accordance with school board policy, no student will be excluded from field trips, including the Washington trip, due to financial need. If you are unable to pay for the class trip or are in need of some assistance, please contact your school counselor, Mrs. Mahoney or Mr. McHugh. Each year, we are able to secure funding from community partners and individual donors so that students in need of financial assistance can attend the trip.

Chaperones
Goff staff and parents/guardians serve as chaperones on the Washington trip to provide adult supervision of students. Chaperones will be responsible for a group of four students. There is a chaperone meeting in spring for those who are interested.

The cost for a chaperone is $555. If you are interested in volunteering as a chaperone on the trip, please contact Mrs. Mahoney.

Contact
Nicole Mahoney
Assistant Principal
mahoneyni@egcsd.org

FAQ: Washington Trip

Q: What is the purpose of the Washington D.C. Class Trip?
A: The trip to Washington, D.C. is an opportunity to visit, analyze and reflect upon what students have read and learned about in the classroom. It provides students with an authentic learning experience where they are able to solidify their own understanding of and appreciation for our nation’s government and rich history. As our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. offers unique landmarks and museums. East Greenbush students often reflect on their time in Washington, D.C. as a very memorable and rewarding opportunity with their friends, parents and teachers, culminating their middle school experience.

Q: What is the date of the trip?
A: Wednesday, April 29 to Friday, May 1, 2026.

Q: Where will students and chaperones stay in Washington, D.C.?
A: Hyatt Regency Bethesda: One Bethesda Metro Center, Bethesda, Maryland.

Q: What does the trip cost?
A: $555 per person includes transportation on coach buses, two nights in a hotel, seven meals, tickets to select museums and attractions and a class t-shirt. A $100 deposit is due by November 28, 2025.

Q: What if a family cannot afford to send their child?
A: In accordance with school board policy, no student will be excluded from a field trip due to financial hardship. Goff provides fundraising opportunities for students to defray the overall cost of the trip. The school also solicits donations from community organizations to help pay for students who cannot afford to go on the trip.

Q: Are all 8th grade students allowed to go on the trip?
A: All 8th grade students in good standing (e.g., attendance, behavior) are invited to attend the trip.

Q: What are some of the activities or locations that students visit on the trip?
A: Arlington National Cemetery, Ford’s Theater, National Archives, Holocaust Museum, National History Museum, Smithsonian Museum, U.S. Capitol, Library of Congress, and national monuments.

Q: Who serves as chaperones on the trip?
A: Goff teachers and staff as well as parents of 8th grade students serve as chaperones. We welcome everyone to sign up to become a chaperone. In the event we have large chaperone interest and we cannot take everyone, a lottery will be held to select parents to go on the trip.

The cost for a chaperone is $555. Chaperones are responsible for a group of 4 students for the entire trip (bus, hotel oversight, all tours, money holding, etc.). If there is more than one chaperone for your group, you may have additional students assigned to you. A chaperone meeting will be held in the spring.

Q: What if a student or chaperone gets sick or injured on the trip?
A: A certified nurse will be on the trip to help with any medical needs.

Q: Are there students who choose not to go on the trip?
A: Students who do not attend the Washington, D.C. trip will participate in scheduled classes at Goff with the teachers remaining on campus. While the daily schedule will differ slightly from the regular routine, students will engage in enrichment activities and have opportunities for review. No new instructional material will be introduced during this time.