Forges of Freedom Seminar
EXPERIENCE YOUR POTENTIAL!
Visit the nation's capital.
The Forges of Freedom Seminar has offered students from across the United States and the International Community a wonderful opportunity to gain a first-hand experience of history through interactive site visits to many of our cherished historical sites on the east coast of the United States. These enjoyable and professionally administered seminars and study tours have been acclaimed by teachers, students, and parents alike. Extending from a few days to a week in length, thousands of students have participated in our programs over the past five decades returning home with memories and newfound knowledge to last a lifetime. Since its inception, the Forges of Freedom Seminar has been sponsored by the Washington Workshops Foundation, founded in 1967 as a non-profit, non-partisan educational foundation.
Greetings from Washington, DC! You are cordially invited to join us for an action packed week of
exploration, learning, adventure and the opportunity to create memories of a lifetime for you and your family.
OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN AS A FAMILY AND EXPERIENCE LIVING HISTORY:
• Jamestown And Colonial Williamsburg
• Presidential Estates: Mount Vernon, Monticello, Montpelier
• The Smithsonian Institution Museums
• Democracy In Action – The US Capitol Building
• National Monuments and Memorials
• Arlington National Cemetery
• Gettysburg National Battlefield
• Historic Philadelphia
• Gain a greater understanding of our dynamic and rich national history
• Create a bonding experience with your children and provide your family with lasting and happy memories for a
lifetime
The Washington Workshops Foundation is committed to your student or child’s education,safety and personal growth. We have a shared value of the importance of experience based education.
Your son or daughter will not only experience the notable and interesting sites of Williamsburg and
Jamestown, Monticello, Washington, DC, Gettysburg and Philadelphia (to name a few) you will all
become active explorers in the rich and dynamic history of our country through site visits. We
look forward to working with your community to create a once in a lifetime opportunity for your
students, son(s) and daughter(s).
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
Day 1: WELCOME AND EXPLORING OUR NATIVE AND COLONIAL HERITAGE
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Morning Departure from Minneapolis/St. Paul for Washington, DC
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Arrive in Washington, DC with Greetings from the Washington Workshops Team
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Depart for Jamestown and Mobile Lunch
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Experience the Jamestown Historical Settlement
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Visit Colonial Williamsburg
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Dinner in Colonial Williamsburg
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Depart for Richmond, Virginia
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Overnight stay in Richmond
Day 2: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF OUR FOUNDING FATHERS
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Depart for Monticello
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Visit Monticello and Experience the life and legacy of Thomas Jefferson
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Depart for Montpelier
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Visit Montpelier and Experience the life and legacy of James Madison
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Depart for Mount Vernon
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Evening Experience at Mount Vernon and the life of George Washington
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Dinner in Old Town Alexandria
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Washington By Night: The Jefferson, FDR and MLK Memorials
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Check in at the University and Experience Dorm Life at Catholic University
Day 3: METRO, HONORING THE PAST AND OUR DC’S
LABORATORY OF LEARNING
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Visit the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception – One of DC’s Architectural Wonders
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Board the Metro – DC’s famous Subway and Mass Transit Train
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Visit Arlington National Cemetery: - Tomb of the Unknowns and the Changing of the Guard Ceremony | Challenger and Columbia Memorial | Arlington House | Kennedy Gravesites and The Eternal Flame
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Metro to Capitol Hill
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Lunch like a Hill staffer – Longworth Food Court
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Democracy In Action – Explore Capitol Hill - The Capitol Tour | Library of Congress | Group Photo
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Explore the Smithsonian Institute’s Museums - The American History Museum | The Natural History Museum | The National Gallery | The Smithsonian Sculpture Garden
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Dinner at Union Station
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Evening Tour of Washington Part 2 - The Lincoln Memorial | The Korean War Memorial | The Vietnam Memorial
Day 4: THE FIELDS AND FORGES OF FREEDOM
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Sunrise Departure for Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
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Interactive Tour of the Gettysburg National Battlefield
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Rolling Lunch en route to Baltimore, Maryland
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Visit Ft. McHenry – The cornerstone of our National Anthem
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Visit the Baltimore Inner Harbor and Free Time to Explore
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Departure for Philadelphia
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Hotel Check in and Overnight in Philadelphia
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Day 5: THE ROOTS OF OUR DEMOCRACY AND THE BEACON OF LIBERTY -
Independence Hall - In the footsteps of our founders
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The Liberty Bell
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The Betsy Ross and Benjamin Franklin House
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Philly Cheesesteak Lunch
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Depart for the Philadelphia Airport
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Flight Departs for Minneapolis/St Paul
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Wishing you a safe and pleasant journey!
Included with Your Workshops Foundation Experience
ACCOMMODATIONS
Students and chaperones are housed at safe, clean, and comfortable hotels or conference centers within the Washington, DC and New York metropolitan area. Housing for each seminar will be based on availability, school preference, value and program budget. Our seminar housing sites include major hotels in the Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, ICG and Kimpton family of hotels. We also offer a college campus experience by partnering with the National 4H Youth Conference Center, Kellogg Conference Center and major colleges and universities in Washington, DC and New York.
TRANSPORTATION
The Washington Workshops only uses fully licensed and insured motor coach operators. We only partner with
companies that have demonstrated a high standard of safety, professionalism, and cleanliness. Public transportation such as city busses and the subway are typically not utilized unless a group chooses to for an enhanced experience of the Washington, D.C. transit system.
TUITION
Seminar Tuition will be published on the final travel information sheet given to you by your school. Some school's tuition may be different depending on duration of the selected program and/or activities included during your school's visit to Washington, DC. Please contact your coordinating teacher or parent organizing your seminar for more information. If you are a new teacher or parent group interested in organizing a seminar for your students please don’t hesitate to contact our office directly at 1-800-368-5688. We also develop customized seminars and customized doesn’t always mean more expensive!
MEALS
Participants enjoy a healthy breakfast each morning and wholesome dinner each evening of the program. Lunches or a lunch stipend can also be included in the program and factored into the final tuition; however, this is not required. Please contact us for more information, or to learn about lunch stipend options.
WASHINGTON WORKSHOPS STAFF
Our staff consists of management personnel in the office and in the field. Teachers and students will interact primarily with an assigned program administrator. We take pride in maintaining well educated, experienced, professional program administrators in the field. Each program administrator must complete a full screening,
intensive training and a full criminal background check. Our program administrators are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all seminar participants. Many of our staff are typically going on to postgraduate studies and/or careers in education, public policy, international affairs, tourism or public service.
HEALTH, SAFETY & SUPERVISION - OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY
Throughout our memorable history of successfully operating safe, comfortable and enjoyable educational travel experiences, The Washington Workshops has created and maintained a rigorous set of safety standards and operating procedures. We take pride in our attention to detail and proactive approach to insure each seminar participant enjoys a safe and enjoyable time during their visit. We have developed a tested and effective set of security and accountability procedures that we diligently implement in conjunction with attending teachers and chaperons on every program to make the safety of your child our first priority.
