Final Fling - Washington DC                

Upward Bounds' Summer 2008 final trip to Washington DC was a great success!  While traveling Sunday, June 29th, the participants enjoyed a great lunch at MacAdo's Restaurant in Marion, Virginia. The students then boarded the bus to continue the trip to our Nations Capitol. Nearing Washington the bus stopped in Winchester, Virginia for dinner at the Red Hot and Blues Restaurant where the students were treated to a buffet featuring barbeque pork and chicken with plenty of baked beans, potato salad and banana pudding . After dinner the students boarded the bus for the short trip to Washington and our final stop at the Comfort Inn Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.

On Monday, June 30th, participants were off to tour the The National Mall where they toured the Lincoln Memorial, Viet Nam War Memorial, Korean War Memorial, World War II Memorial, and the Washington Monument.  Next on the agenda was lunch at the famous Five Guys Burger and Fries Restaurant in Arlington.  After lunch the next stop would be at the National Botanical Gardens where the students marveled at the many native and tropical plants on display. After the breath taking display it was time to tour the United States Capitol Building. The students were given a guided tour of the Capitol Building and were made aware of many interesting bits of history.  After the tour of the Capitol it was off to The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City where the students "shopped until they dropped".

On Tuesday, July 1st, began a walking tour of National Museum of Natural History and the National Gallery of Art. Next it was off to view the White House to take group pictures in front of the famous landmark. As lunch time neared they boarded the bus to travel to The Cheesecake Factory in Arlington. After a hearty lunch, the students traveled back to the National Mall to tour the National Archives to view the original Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence. Next stop was The National Zoo where the students searched out their favorite animals and birds. After several hours at the Zoo it was time for dinner at the ESPN Zone in downtown Washington.  The students were treated to a great buffet of food items and enjoyed spending time in the game room after eating.  It was back on the bus for a Site-seeing Tour of Washington DC, passing many of the famous landmarks such as Embassy Row, the National Cathedral, Fords' Theatre, Kennedy Center, Georgetown Waterfront and the Iwo Jima Memorial. 

On Wednesday, July 2nd, the students climbed on the bus for the long trip home.  As they departed Washington they first stopped at the Arlington National Cemetery to tour and pay tribute to the grave sites of the many brave Americans who fought to preserve our freedom throughout our history.  The students arrived back on the Union College campus at 9:00 pm and were met by their excited parents for the final leg of their journey home.

The trip ended one of the most amazing summers in Union College Upward Bound history.  Many fond memories will be locked in the hearts of our students forever.