Mercersburg Academy is pleased to present the following, proposed travel programs for the 2008-2009 school year.  At this point, travel programs are proposed, which means that a given travel program will not go if it does not meet minimum enrollment requirements or other factors require the school to cancel it.  It should also be noted that Mercersburg has raised significant funds in the hopes of being able to offer a suitable amount of financial aid to qualifying students for these programs so as many students can take part as possible.  Students interested in going on a travel program should speak to the travel program leader.  The initial, non-binding packet will include a request for financial aid.

Spring Break 2009

Costa Rica – For the fifth year in a row, students will travel to the Cloud Forest School in Costa Rica near the rainforests in Monteverde for 12 days.  Led by Trini Hoffman with assistance from Jeff Cohen, they will experience the rainforest ecology, while engaging in community service projects to help the school.  There they will also enjoy homestays with local families, which provide an opportunity for some use of Spanish with native speakers (though knowledge of Spanish is not necessary).  In addition to working at the Cloud Forest School, the students will have the opportunity to go white water rafting on the Rio Pacuare River, hike to the Catarata/San Luis Water Falls, stay in La Fortuna at the base of Arenal Valcano, relax at the Tabacan Hot Spring, go horseback riding through the rainforest, and visit the coffee and banana crop fields.  They will enjoy the zip lines over top the Canopy Forest in Monteverde.  At the end of the trip, we will be staying in San Jose and will visit the Natural and Gold Museums, the downtown markets, and other attractions.  

Ireland - Led by Marshall Carroll, this 12-day travel program will study Irish immigration to the United States both in Ireland and in the New York/New Jersey area. It will be a multifaceted trip that visits Dublin, the Irish Countryside, New York City (Ellis Island, The Immigration Museum, The Statue of Liberty, etc.), and some of the American Canal and Railroad systems (NJ and PA).  This trip’s migratory pattern is structured to give insight into Irish culture, and the land and lifestyle that was being left; as well as the life in a new land and the hardship these persons took on in pursuit of a better life.

Italy ($2,950) – Led by Tom Thorne, who has led this travel program nine times before, this 11-day trip is primarily intended for Latin students past and present to see the sights about which they have spent years imagining.  We visit the monumental center of Rome, the national museums of classical antiquities, the city of Pompeii; we climb Mt. Vesuvius and hike to Emperor Tiberius's summer palace on Capri.  Students also learn how to travel and gain a reasonably authentic experience of a foreign land by staying in small, independent hotels, traveling via public transport, and eating local food from markets and family restaurants.  We also spend some time on the post-classical history and artifacts of Italy by bicycling through Lucca, visiting the Vatican, touring the Museo Borghese, and exploring the historic center of Florence.

Prague –Theatre director Laurie Mufson and English teacher Jim Applebaum love the beauty and history of Prague and will share their enthusiasm with students on this 11-day trip. The city's fascinating mix of architecture and design --its art, music, theatre, and dance - will be the focus of this tour, a historical panorama of diverse influences that span hundreds of years. We will also spend time with Czech students and visit the famous Prague Conservatory (music and theatre), visit the famous arts and theatre conservatory at Charles University. As spring arrives, Prague's unique beauty awakens as we tour its Old Town, the Prague castle, glorious churches and magnificent memorials to a rich and changing past.

France AP Studies – For the third year, the John H. Montgomery Program Award for Senior Field Study in France will send students from advanced French courses to France as a direct extension of their coursework at Mercersburg.  They will plan the travel program around their academic research focus areas in conjunction with Heather Prescott, the travel/study program leader.

Spain ($2,580) – Led by Wendy Valenteen, this 14-day program will provide an opportunity for students of Spanish to spend two weeks immersed in the Spanish language and culture.  Students will live with Spanish families in Valladolid, Spain, participate in the daily routine of their Spanish family and friends, attend morning classes, and plan parts of the various excursions.  Excursions will go to such fascinating cultural destinations as Salamanca, Segovia, and Madrid.

Summer 2009

Costa Rica – Led by Franklin Bell and Nikki Walker, the 7-day trip to Costa Rica will be a unique field study program for students interested in the conservation of tropical ecosystems and endangered species.  Students will receive an introduction to rainforest ecology and conservation while visiting the Selva Verde Lodge and Rainforest Reserve and then journey to Costa Rica's Atlantic coast to the famed sea turtle nesting grounds and black sand beaches of Tortuguero.  Students will work along side the researchers of the Caribbean Conservation Corporation - the leading authority on sea turtle conservation — as they monitor the nesting patterns of the endangered green sea turtle.  Additionally, students may have the rare opportunity to assist with placing a satellite tag on the back of a sea turtle.  White water rafting and salsa lessons will round out our once in a lifetime trip to Costa Rica.

Chile ($2,650) – For the second year, selected students will travel to Chile in August for a 3-week travel program immersing them in the Spanish language.  Alysia Oakley will lead this travel program, which is part of our exchange (also now in its second year) with the Colegio Alemán de San Felipe in San Felipe, Chile.  The program consists of homestays, personalized and general classes aimed at immersion in the Spanish language, several targeted daytrips, and an overnight excursion.  

France - For the third year, the John H. Montgomery Award will provide an opportunity for a selected student or two from Mercersburg to go to France or Canada on his/her own for a French immersion language program of the school’s choosing.  Heather Prescott oversees the process of student and program selection in conjunction with the Academic Dean and others.

Hawaii ($4,295) - Journey to Hawaii to study Field Marine Biology with Franklin Bell for 17 days!  Where else is a better place to learn about the oceans?  Tide pooling during the day and at night, snorkeling almost every day, learn about coral reef ecology, fish identification and behavior, and so much more. For more information, visit: http://web.me.com/honubell/hawaii/Welcome.html.  The main portion of the trip is at Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA) on the Big Island of Hawaii.  This school is a private day/boarding school very similar to Mercersburg Academy, and is located in the Kohala Mountains of Waimea.  Hapuna Beach is a 10 minute bus trip down the mountain.  Along with the normal classroom and beach activities, we will also visit Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls, the City of Refuge National Park, King Kamehameha Luau, the Atlantis Submarine, and take a catamaran and snorkeling cruise.  Much of the time is spent in the water.  Students must be able to swim to participate in this trip.  Students who are SCUBA certified will be able to do a number of "dive" labs.  The trip dates are tentatively set for June 23 - July 9.  Upon successful completion of the class, there is a possibility students will receive one trimester of biology credit.