American Heritage Tour (A.H.T)
What is the American Heritage Tour?
History on wheels…Developmental Travel is an opportunity for area youth to take what they are learning in 8th grade Social Studies classes and make it come alive. Instead of simply learning about how a bill becomes a law in a classroom, we take them to the Capitol Building, White House and Supreme Court and show them where the process takes place. By taking students out of the classroom and “on-site”, we can enhance the learning that goes on in schools.
What makes the Cheshire YMCA different from other groups that visit these historical sites is the word “developmental” in the program’s title. For more than 30 years, over 25,000 area youth have grown in mind, body and spirit through the two Developmental Travel programs the Cheshire YMCA offers.
"I learned a lot on this tour. I enjoyed seeing the Jefferson Memorial most of all because I did my written report on it and it was great to be able to see it in person." - 8th Grade Student Traveler
Little things like student chores, a dress code, and high behavioral expectations help develop strong character within each individual and leadership amongst the group. Students learn how to work well as part of a team, responsibility for their actions, and a feeling of self worth.
"I learned a lot on this trip, met new people and had fun!" - 8th Grade Student Traveler
Through the work of a volunteer staff, many of them teachers, that cares deeply about the students, the students learn that if they work hard towards a goal, they will be successful. Students gain knowledge, not just historical information, which will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Student Expectations
Eighth grade students moving through a seven month meeting process focused on the following:
- Written Paper: Each student picks a topic based on one of the places the group will be visiting on tour. Each student writes a 2-3 page paper on something specific to that topic. Their task then is to teach the rest of their group what they’ve learned in a fun, creative and entertaining way. With each student presenting on a different topic, every student will have either studied or heard a presentation on every one of the places they will visit on tour.
- YMCA World Service Projects: Each year, the International Committee of the Cheshire YMCA raises money to help YMCA work in developing countries. The Cheshire YMCA has connections with YMCA’s in Jordan, Nigeria, India, and Thailand. The Cheshire YMCA’s aid helps pay the salary of a program director, build a program center, run a summer camp for refugees and, most recently, send a local intern to help keep children off the streets. Groups have done everything from car washes and bake sales to pancake breakfasts and yard sales to raise money. This is a great way to show students that while this may be a tour focusing on local history and culture, we are all a part of the world community and an international organization committed to helping people in all countries.
The American Heritage Tour takes students to all of the historical sites in Philadelphia, PA, Washington, DC, Gettysburg, PA. By the end of the six-day tour, students will have full understanding of what it means to be an American citizen. With the high quality volunteer staff we bring on tour with us, students may visit the Vietnam Memorial with a staff member who fought in that war.
Developmental Travel is a very unique program both within the community as well as within the YMCA movement and has become a part of two generations in area households.
Register for the American Heritage Tour by choosing your school below:
Cheshire YMCA’s Mission
To develop positive values that enrich the spirit, mind, and body by providing quality programming for all, with an emphasis on youth, in the Cheshire YMCA service area.