*Page Updated 8/22/25
Every year, the 8th graders have the opportunity to go on a trip to Washington DC! The travel company will be meeting with parents and students who are interested in going on this year's trip. That meeting will be on October 6th (time TBD) and will be in the GMS Library. It is only for this year's 8th graders.
The dates of this year's 2026 trip are Monday, May 18- Sunday, May 24. Students will leave in the very early morning hours of Monday, May 18 and return around 9pm on Sunday, May 24.
The cost of the 2026 trip will be around $1,900 per student as the cheapest option- this can be paid off throughout the 2025-2026 school year, which will be explained at the meeting. It is up to each student to fundraise/pay for the amount on their own. The school does not set up any fundraising opportunities for the students, but is very involved in promoting opportunities and does manage each child's fundraising account. Many students work Watercross, do meat raffles through the Legion, work concession stands, or a parent could spearhead fundraising opportunities where kids can sell a product. Families need to do this coordination for their child. All of the fundraisers are meant to raise money for the students only.
Signups will happen late October or early November. This will require a $200 out of pocket down payment. If your trip ends up being completely paid for by fundraised dollars and you still have money left over, you will be reimbursed up to the $200 deposit in the spring. This will be explained more clearly in person, but just know that the initial deposit is out of pocket. No fundraised dollars can be used for this payment.
*NOTE: If money is raised for the Washington DC trip, but the student does not go, that money can be transferred to another sibling for their trip. If a student decides not to go, they cannot transfer their money to an account at the high school. Mr. Hallberg always describes it as "the money goes to a general fund and becomes each student's money only if used for the trip, otherwise it just stays in the general DC fund or can be transferred to a sibling, per district policy".
** If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Hallberg nhall@gk12.net for more information!
** If you are curious about how much money your child has in their account, contact Mr. Czeck at addison.czeck@gk12.net.