Passport Trips

The city that never sleeps! In the American imagination, NYC is understood as a mecca for

writers and other creative artists. What hold does one small overcrowded island have on writers

and actors and directors? Why do people flock to the Big Apple? Consider this a “backstage”

tour of NYC minus the conventional tourist attractions. Over the days in NYC, we will walk the

city to better understand Manhattan as a muse (we will also take city busses, subways, & the

occasional taxi or Uber) We will meet with writers (who have some connection to Laurel), see

two productions, including a talk-back with members of one cast; and have plenty of time to

write (or sketch) indoors and out–Central Park Conservatory Gardens, the Metropolitan Museum

of Art, the Main Branch of the NY Public Library and the Morgan Library. Students will leave

with a greater understanding of the landscapes of Harlem and Greenwich Village, The Upper

West Side and the impact those neighborhoods have had on contemporary American art,

literature, & music.

Who is this trip for: students who love to write, love to walk, love libraries and love theatre.

Prep: Before the experience, students will read short stories/poems/essays by several

NYC-based authors across the centuries: Langston Hughes, Edith Wharton, Dylan Thomas,

and others. In advance, students will research various destinations. Over the course of the trip, students will journal based on a variety

of writing prompts to complete and will be asked to polish and submit at least one piece inspired

by the trip to Gaullimaufry or to another publication.

Journey to the Islands of Fire

Get immersed in the Hawaiian culture and learn about ecological biodiversity found on

these remote islands. The Hawaiian Islands were born out of fire when the earth’s crust

split under the Pacific Ocean and formed volcanoes that breached the ocean surface.

Given this rich history and its location in the Pacific Ocean, these islands are full of

mystery and adventure. School groups can explore Hawaii’s Lolani Palace, walk through

fresh lava fields, learn about ancient petroglyphs, snorkel with sea turtles, explore volcanic

craters, surf in Waikiki, take in a shark cage adventure and tour Pearl Harbor.