Q&A: Group Leader Pam Copeland discusses her experiences with student travel

As a social studies and history teacher at Dresden Middle School in Dresden, Tennessee, Pam Copeland has led several tours with Smithsonian Student Travel over the years. With 17 years of teaching under her belt, Copeland offers valuable advice for teachers who are traveling for the first time.

Q: What first made you decide to lead class trips?
A: I love to travel! I think that so much can be learned from traveling, seeing new places, meeting new people. I teach in a small rural setting, and many of my students have not traveled very much, if at all. Traveling truly opens up the world to them.

Q: How do you determine who will travel with you?
A: Students who have finished the seventh and eighth grade complete an application process for me. I then select which students participate in the trip. Traveling requires students to be able to get along well with others. Some of the other qualities I look for in students are good behavior, an interest in traveling and learning, and acceptable grades.

Q: What do your students most look forward to?
A: My kids look forward to the new experiences they will have on the class trip. They’re eager to see something different and to learn about a city, region or culture that is new to them.

Q: Do you work the trip into your classroom activities?
A: Yes, definitely. I include information about the sites we will visit into my lessons when possible. I always share pictures, video and souvenirs with classes.

Q: What do you like best about working with Smithsonian Student Travel?
A: First, the tour consultants are great! They’re easy to reach, knowledgeable and respond quickly to questions and concerns. They do a great job of organizing the tours so you get the most out of the whole travel experience. The pricing is affordable and reasonable for student travel. Lastly, I love those Global Points!

Q: What do you like best about your many trips?
A: Whether it was whale-watching while visiting Boston, hiking on Mount Rainier outside of Seattle or attending the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at Arlington, each trip is memorable in its own way.

Q: Do you have a favorite memory?
A: Every trip makes it own memories. Watching my students’ faces the first time they see the ocean, look up the length of a giant redwood tree or walk through the White House is amazing!

Q: Any advice to teachers considering a trip?
A: Go for it! Yes, it requires some work and responsibility to put together a trip, but do it. The effect that travel has on a student’s perspective of his or her country and the world is great. Travel makes their academic studies come alive! And the staff at Smithsonian Student Travel will be there to assist you throughout the entire process. Also, kids like variety and activity, so one thing that works well for my students is to vary activities throughout the trip. Alternate indoor activities, such as museums and historical sites, with outdoor activities like a boat ride, theme park or viewing nature.