Washington, D.C. Trip

• Video 1: 2026 Trip Overview
• Video 2: Registration Information
• Video 3: Additional Details

Goals of the Trip

• The primary goal of this trip is to bring history to life for our students. By visiting sites they’ve studied, they’ll gain a deeper connection to U.S. history. This firsthand experience enriches their learning in ways that go beyond the classroom.
• Additionally, the trip fosters the development of interpersonal skills. Students will share hotel rooms with three peers and interact with others on their assigned buses, building community, teamwork, and conflict resolution. This journey presents an opportunity for students to strengthen their friendships and develop lasting bonds.
• Finally, the trip helps build personal responsibility. For many students, this is their first extended time away from home. They’ll learn to manage their belongings, make independent decisions, and practice accountability—important skills for high school and beyond. Chaperones will be present to guide and support them throughout, but they will be responsible for themselves.

All trip registrations are managed directly through WorldStrides, not through Novi Middle School. To register, please see the NMS Washington, D.C. Newsletter for the most updated information regarding cost, payment plans, financial assistance, fundraising, and more. 

The itinerary is subject to change. See the NMS Washington, D.C. Newsletter for the most updated information.

We work with WorldStrides to organize our trip to Washington, D.C.  Their motto is “Committed to providing exceptional service, superior safety, and memories that will last a lifetime.”   The company is located in Charlottesville, Va., and was founded in 1967.  Our contact at WorldStrides is Tina DeSimone. Visit WorldStrides website. 

Students will complete a behavior contract at the beginning of September.  Violation of this contract will cause the student to be removed from the trip. If a student violates this contract prior to the trip, the student will be removed from the trip. If a student violates this contract while on the trip, we may send the student home on an airplane at the parent/guardian’s expense.

Meals will be eaten in a variety of places, including food courts, buffets, and family-style restaurants. We can accommodate a variety of dietary needs and restrictions, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergies. It is helpful if we are notified of dietary needs in advance of the trip.

*If you keep a kosher or halal home, the food provided on the trip does not meet these standards.*

D.C. Trip Restaurants

*A finalized list of restaurants will be available in October.

Hilton Mark Center, breakfast

• Ivy City Smokehouse: 1356 Okie St NE, Washington DC https://www.tavern.ivycitysmokehouse.com/
• District Taco - Dupont Circle - 1919 M St. Washington, DC https://www.districttaco.com/
• Good Stuff Eatery - 2110 Crystal Drive, Arlington VA https://goodstuffeatery.com/
• Reagan International Trade Center Food Court (students receive a meal voucher that can be redeemed at various restaurants) - https://rrbitc.com/dining/
• Ballston Quarter Market Food Quarter (students receive a meal voucher that can be redeemed at various restaurants) https://www.ballstonquarter.com/en/dining/quarter-market.html
• Pentagon City Mall (students receive a meal voucher that can be redeemed at various restaurants) https://www.simon.com/mall/fashion-centre-at-pentagon-city/dining
• Madhatter - 1319 Connecticut Avenue, Washington DC https://www.madhatterdc.com/

Forms will be available for prescription and over-the-counter medicines. All forms and medications are due at the main office at least one week before the trip. Each group’s chaperone disperses the medicine as needed. More information will be provided at the mandatory parent meeting in October.

Included in the cost of the trip, each student will receive a Novi Washington D.C. t-shirt and sweatshirt.  Shortly after you register, expect an email from WorldStrides (and our representative Tina Desimone) requesting your child’s size for the t-shirt and sweatshirt.  We offer adult sizes small, medium, large and extra-large. Do not order the shirts while you are registering for the trip.  Wait until the company contacts you after you register.  Please remember that your child will likely grow from the time you select sizes until the trip, so order accordingly.

The Washington, D.C. trip is chaperoned exclusively by Novi School District personnel. Chaperones typically include teachers but may also include principals, the superintendent, the student resource officer, the district nurse, and board members. To ensure adequate supervision, we maintain a chaperone-to-student ratio of 1:12. Please note that parents do not participate as chaperones for this trip.

• Nighttime Security: WorldStrides provides trained security chaperones who are stationed on each floor where students are housed. These security personnel are on duty from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM to ensure students’ safety throughout the night.
• 24-Hour Contact Service: WorldStrides offers a 24-hour contact service. Each student will receive a wristband with the contact number before departure. This ensures students have access to assistance at any time during the trip, should the need arise.
• Licensed Tour Guides: During city tours, each bus is assigned a licensed tour guide. These guides are knowledgeable about the history and layout of Washington, D.C., and are well-versed in current events to ensure safe and efficient navigation throughout the trip.
• Medical Support and Insurance: Doctors are available on call in case of medical needs, and the trip is covered by liability insurance for added security and peace of mind.

My Trip Information

• My Trip is a site provided by WorldStrides for parents to receive updates about the trip. After registering for the trip, you will receive an email asking you to register for My Trip.
• Updates and requests will be sent through the site. It is very important that you are in this information loop.

No High School Credit

• WorldStrides will send an email or mailing saying your child can get high school credit by going on this trip. it is part of the company's automatic mailing, but does NOT apply to us.
• Because Novi High School does not offer a class that matches the trip, students will NOT be able to earn high school credit.

In October, we will hold a mandatory parent meeting about two weeks before the trip. We will finalize the paperwork and discuss what to pack and student expectations. We will also answer any questions that parents or students may have..