Sarah Banks Middle School
Washington DC 2026
Expedition
4-Day Program: Washington DC
Dates
Tuesday, April 21 – Friday, April 24, 2026
Price
Per person price based on occupancy:
$1,160 Student Quad
Payment Schedule
$100 deposit required upon registration.
The remaining balance will be paid in monthly payments with final balance is due by March 6, 2026.
Contracted prices are based on group size of 35 or more paying participants per motor coach (55 passengers max.) If the final number of paying participants totals less than the published price, the itinerary will be renegotiated or trip costs increased accordingly.
Travel Protection Program
Academic Expeditions provides a Travel Protection Base Plan. The plan is available to citizens of the United States and Canada and includes coverage for Trip Interruption, Missed Connection, Travel Delay, Accident & Sickness Medical Expense, Evacuation, and Baggage Loss/Delay
Upon registering, families will also have the option to purchase two Pre-trip Cancellation upgrades:
- Option 1) Trip Cancellation for qualifying, documented reasons for reimbursement up to 100% of the non-refundable trip cost, or
- Option 2) Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) – includes Option 1, plus cancel up to 48 hours prior to departure and receive up to 75% of the non-refundable trip cost according to our Terms & Conditions. For more information, please visit our Insurance Page.
Highlights
- See the heart of Capitol Hill, home to the U.S. Capitol Building, the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress.
- Stop to take a picture at the most notable symbol of the presidency, the White House.
- Pay your respects at Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place for hundreds of thousands of brave men and women who sacrificed their lives in the name of our country.
- Nourish your knowledge through the amazing exhibits of the Smithsonian Institution on the National Mall, such as the Natural History Museum, the National Air and Space Museum, and the American History Museum.
- Visit the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, a living memorial to the Holocaust.
- Discover how the work of real spies shaped world history and continues to play a role today at the International Spy Museum.
- Marvel at D.C.’s must-see monuments: Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and Iwo Jima Memorial to name a few.
- Learn about George Washington with a visit to Mt. Vernon.
- Experience the incredible history of the Gettysburg battlefield.
View and Download Your Itinerary
*Your itinerary will evolve as the trip nears and more appointments are confirmed. The itinerary of visits to non-scheduled sites will likely change before and even during your trip. The above link will always provide you with the latest version of the itinerary as it develops.
Trip Details
What’s Included
- Professional General Liability and Errors and Omissions Insurance Policy ($10,000,000)
- Deluxe motor coach transportation with driver and all transfers (4 days)
- Premium hotel accommodations (3 nights)
- Custom designed itinerary
- Entrance fees to all program sites and day/evening activities
- Full-time Professional Academic Expeditions Tour Educator (4 Days)
- All supplemental guiding services
- All meals as listed in the itinerary
- All taxes
- Driver gratuities included; Tour Director / Guide not included. Additional gratuity for exceptional service is always appreciated.
- Private professional hotel night time security (3 nights)
- 24 Hour emergency access number
- Complete custom educational materials
- Travel Protection Plan providing coverage for Cancellation, Interruption, Missed Connection, Travel Delay, Accident & Sickness Medical Expense, Evacuation, and Baggage Loss/Delay
- Upon registering, families will also have the option to purchase two Pre-trip Cancellation upgrades:
Option 1) Trip Cancellation for qualifying, documented reasons for reimbursement up to 100% of the non-refundable trip cost, or
Option 2) Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) – includes Option 1, plus cancel up to 48 hours prior to departure and receive up to 75% of the non-refundable trip cost according to our Terms & Conditions.
*For full details about the travel protection we offer, visit our Insurance page.
Not Included
- Tour guide gratuities
- Souvenirs:)
Program Director
Aaron Mertig, Program Director
Contact: Email Aaron
Aaron grew up in very rural northern Wisconsin, an hour south of Lake Superior. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. After teaching middle school social studies for six years, he successfully transitioned to tour guiding which became his love. After being a tour director for 10 plus years, which included being a licensed guide in Washington, DC, he was seeking some balance in his life (and so were his four kids and their wiener dog named Oscar). He was excited to join the Academic Expeditions team as Director of Program Development and share his passion of lifelong learning coupled with his love of traveling. Aaron and his kids currently reside in Hudson, WI, just outside the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because we care. It’s as simple as that. Our commitment to quality, integrity, and value is the heart of who we are and what we stand for. The level of personalized attention we provide for our groups sets us apart in this industry and is the number one reason why our schools return year after year. Read more on our Why Travel With Us page.
Safety is our highest priority. We work only with the highest quality vendors and will not run a trip if we feel the safety of our clients and guides is compromised. From full-time staff & logistical support, to 24-hr emergency phone access for all travelers, we’ve got you covered. Read more on our Standard Tour Features page.
We understand that circumstances can change. We always attempt to work with our clients individually and find the best solutions for each situation. All details regarding our cancellation terms or substitution are outlined in the Terms and Conditions when registering for your trip online.
