Reading Eagle, Pa., Charles J. Adams III Column: No Need to Go Far to Gain Education

By Charles J. Adams III, Reading Eagle, Pa., Reading Eagle, Pa.

Dec. 18–”Travel, in the younger set, is a part of education.” — Francis Bacon.

I read recently that, after addressing certain concerns and coming to an amicable resolution, the Exeter Township school board approved student trips to Gettysburg to explore the Civil War lifestyle and landscape there.

One school director said he wished such expeditions could be expanded to include the Brandywine Valley, Valley Forge and Philadelphia.

Wait! School field trips do not include these history- and heritage-rich areas so close to home?

Exeter High School teacher Robert Fleck takes his advanced placement classes to the Daniel Boone Homestead (he marches them there, in fact, each with a tenpound burden to replicate the packs lugged by 19th century soldiers) and to Gettysburg (he doesn’t march them there).

Adding a unique twist, the teacher time-warps into a costumed character who has “been there and done that” at the homestead and on the battlefield.

I must admit that Bob is a neighbor and friend. I am familiar with his passion for his profession and presentation. My own children were once his students, and they have never forgotten the experiences he provided and the opportunities to explore, in situ, our history.

Did I also read recently that certain school districts allow up to ten days of absences per school year for students who go on vacations that, by the design and declaration of their parents, could be considered “educational?”

Those ten days a year times twelve years of schooling could result in the possible loss of 120 days of classroom teaching, nearly two-thirds of one entire school year lost to self-described education.

But given the appropriate destination and the informed direction, a vacation can be educational. Even Walt Disney World — especially its Epcot park — can be a classroom.

But, Bob Fleck has the right idea. Within his own school district is the Boone Homestead and a couple hours down the pike is Gettysburg.

Location, location, location — Berks County is blessed with it. A wealth of museums, historical sites, parks, and natural wonders lie within a two-hour drive from any school district in the county.

Considering travel as a textbook, such supportive materials as an AAA tour book, destination information retrievable on the internet, or any number of travel guides available at libraries and book stores can be used to plan meaningful mini-vacations that will entertain and educate.

In the 20 years I have contributed “A Day Away” features for the Weekend section of the Eagle, I have written stories about more than 1,000 attractions in the region. In the process, I have learned much about the people, events or attributes that make them special.

Scarcely a school district in Berks County — or any county — is devoid of a historical site or society within or just beyond its boundaries.

Do students in northern Berks visit Mollie Maguire sites in neighboring southern Schuylkill county? Do Boyertown students visit the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles? Do Schuylkill Valley and Tulpehocken pupils go to the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum?

Do Conrad Weiser students visit Conrad Weiser Homestead? Do Daniel Boone students visit Daniel Boone Homestead?

I assume — and can only hope — that educators are introducing their students to those kinds of places. If so, I’d like to know. I invite teachers and students who have or will visit local or regional sites to send emails to me with their experiences.

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Copyright (c) 2005, Reading Eagle, Pa.

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