DC Trip 08

February 1-5, 2008 Washington, DC Trip

A better world is possible when people acquire sufficient background for their role as citizens of a democracy.

Trip purpose

To educate students so that they have the background and skills to effectively meet with members of Congress on the following issues:

The peace issues most important to the students.
Prevent a US attack on Iran.
Why we need a Department of Peace and how this would be a gift our military.
Solutions to end the Iraq war.
Banning depleted uranium because it hurts our soldiers and everyone.

Itinerary

Note - In advance of the trip, all participants will receive instruction from the Teach Peace Foundation on HR 808 (the Department of Peace bill), the Iraq war, depleted uranium, and why preventing war with Iran is good for US national security.

Trip Coordination & Preparation Meeting

Student, parents, and trip advisors are requested to attend the January 16, 2008 6 pm to 8:30 pm meeting at JFK High School. The address is 6715 Gloria Drive in Sacramento. Click here for additional information about this meeting.

Day 1 - February 1 (Friday)

6:15 am - Depart from Sacramento (bag lunch provided)

4:58 pm - Arrive in Washington, DC (dinner at house provided)

Stay at the William Penn House (WPH). We have rented the entire house with 30 beds and their seminar room for the entire trip. The location is 515 E Capitol Street in Washington, DC. The phone number for the WPH is 202-543-5560 and parents will also be able to stay in contact their children via Teach Peace's mobile phone in DC which is 530-204-7227.

8:00 pm - Movie Uncounted and discussion of how black box voting is a threat to our democracy.

Day 2 - February 2 (Saturday)

9 am - Welcome meeting and breakfast at WPH followed by a walk past the Capitol and along the Mall.

11 am - White House Tour (click here for rules and prohibited items). We are tour ID #C-33FCD. The White House is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. We will arrive 15 minutes prior to our scheduled tour at the Southeastern Gate on East Executive Avenue. All members of your group are required to present photo identification when entering the White House grounds. You may not bring backpacks, purses, bags, cameras, food or drinks into the White House. Be aware that there are no facilities for storage of personal items so leave them at the William Penn House.

1 pm - Lunch at Cosi's near the White House.

1:30 pm - Visit to the Smithsonian Institution (the Smithsonian sites selected will be determined by the students). Depending on special passes we receive from members of Congress, this time may be used to visit the White House or Library of Congress.

5:30 pm - Return to hotel and 1 hour break.

6:30 pm - Dinner at the house and class on the Department of Peace plus a review of what was learned during the day.

8:00 pm - Congressional meeting role play practice time and optional movie Bringing Down A Dictator and discussion of how nonviolence is a force more powerful than violence.

Day 3 - February 3 (Sunday)

8 am - Breakfast at WPH

9:30 am - Travel and time for people opting to attend a religious service or role play instruction on speaking to representatives (people attending a religious service will have this same opportunity later in the day)

Noon - Lunch (bag lunch provided)

1:00 pm - A two hour Teaching Peace class by the author of several books including I'd Rather Teach Peace, Colman McCarthy at American University.

From 1969 to 1997, Colman wrote columns for the Washington Post. His topics ranged from politics, religion, and sports to education, poverty, and peacemaking. The Smithsonian Magazine said he is "a man of profound spiritual awareness." He has written for The New Yorker, The Nation, The National Catholic Reporter, The Progressive, Atlantic Monthly, and Readers Digest.

3:45 pm - Visit to the Holocaust Museum. Like Saturday, depending on special passes we receive from members of Congress, this time may also be used to visit the Supreme Court, etc.

5:30 pm - Leave the Holocaust Museum and travel to dinner.

6:30 pm - Dinner at Bus Boys and Poets (a peace restaurant with the Teaching Peace bookstore).

9:15 pm - Return to the house for the final review preparation for meeting with representatives and staff members on Monday.

Day 4 - February 4 (Monday)

7:25 am - Opportunity to attend a high school peace class with Coleman McCarthy in Maryland.

8 am - Breakfast at WPH and presentation by former Congressman Tom Andrews on how to meet with a member of Congress.

8:30 am - Travel to Congress and start meeting with members of Congress. We won't have the exact meeting times until a week or two before the trip. We will spend the entire day visiting the three office buildings for representatives and two buildings for senators.

9:00 am - The four core Teach Peace teams start work on their list of 12 offices to visit for a total of 36 meetings

10:30 am - Congressman Lungren's office for 5 people.

Noon - Lunch (bag lunch provided).

1:00 pm - Continue meetings

2:00 pm - Meeting at Senator Diane Fienstein's office with legislative director Richard Harper.

2:00 pm - Meeting at Senator Barbara Boxer's office with deputy legislative director Shawn Moore.

2:30 pm – Meeting at Congresswomen Doris Matsui’s office with Chief of Staff and legislative assistant for 12 people.

3:00 pm - Meeting at Congresswomen Lois Capps office with Michele Levi-Benitez for 5 people.

5:00 pm - Meeting at Congressman Dennis Kucinich's office with Kate Veith.

6:00 pm - Return to hotel and have dinner.

6:45 pm - Trip review.

7:00 pm - DC Night Lights tour (the tour is 7-10 pm click here for details)

Day 5 - February 5 (Tuesday)

Breakfast at WPH.

9:00 to 11 am - Capitol tour. We leave from Congressman Thompson's office located at 231 Cannon House Office Building, to begin the tour of the Capitol. The tour can last an hour and a half or longer. The nearest Metro stop to the Cannon House Office Building is Capitol South. Everyone will have to go through a brief security check, so please take this into account. No food, water or large bags are allowed in the Capitol, though cameras are allowed. Please make sure to leave prohibited items at the William Penn House.

12:15 - Super Shuttle pickup at the William Penn House.

1:00 - Lunch at Friday's in the Ronald Reagan International airport.

2:35 pm - Depart for Sacramento

7:37 pm - Arrive in Sacramento

Trip Cost