Washington, D.C. Trip
8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip: November 5-8, 2025
OPTIONAL PARENT MEETING: Wednesday, January 22nd 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Middle School Auditorium
8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip NEF and PTO Scholarship Application
Trip ID: 221754
Please view the following three videos.
Please contact Lindsay Radtke or Kim Wesner at: washingtondc@novik12.org with any questions.
Trip Overview
Payment Options
Additional Details
Information about the Washington D.C. Trip
- Goals of the trip
- Itinerary
- Tour Company
- Registration
- Accomodations
- Medication
- Meals
- Trip Security
- Novi Attire
- Behavior Contract
- October Organizational Meeting
Goals of the trip
Itinerary
Tour Company
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.
Registration
All trip registrations are managed directly through WorldStrides, not through Novi Middle School. Please use the registration link provided at the top of this webpage. Additional information can be found in the second video listed above.
- Cost
- How to register
- Payment Plan
- Full Refund Program
- Financial Assistance
- No High School Credit
- My Trip
Cost
Trip Cost
To reserve your student’s spot on the trip, a $49 non-refundable deposit is required by January 31. Early registration offers a discount, helping families save on the total cost:
- Option 1: Register by January 31 to receive a $150 discount, reducing the trip cost to $1,449 (quad occupancy). $100 will be immediately discount and and additional $50 with be taken off of the bill within a week of registering.
- Option 2: Registrations submitted after January 31 will be at the standard cost of $1,599, with a $115 deposit required.
Please note that the trip cost does not include the optional $209 Full Refund Program, which can be purchased separately.
How to register
To register, visit the WorldStrides registration link. You may need to enter the Novi Middle School trip ID number.
Payment Plan
Flexible payment plans are available to make the trip more affordable. Payments are divided into manageable installments and can be made via mail, phone, or online. Online payments incur a $6 service fee per transaction, while enrolling in Easy Pay automatic withdrawals is free of additional charges.
To secure your child’s participation, the remaining balance or an approved payment plan must be completed by August 22, 2025. Registrations after January 31 will be subject to availability.
Additional Payment Details
If you require a custom payment plan, please contact WorldStrides customer service directly at 1-800-468-5899. Be aware of the following fees:
- A $15 fee for missed installment payments
- A $60 fee for missed final payments
Full Refund Program
WorldStrides offers an optional Full Refund Program for $209, providing added peace of mind for families. This program offers refunds for most costs, excluding deposits, handling fees, and late or administrative charges. To qualify, cancellations must be made prior to the group’s departure.
Without the Full Refund Program, 100% of the tour price is non-refundable if cancellations occur less than 44 days before departure. This program is especially valuable for families concerned about unexpected injuries, illnesses, or relocations.
Please read registration letter carefully for more information regarding F.R.P.
Financial Assistance
Families with an adjusted gross income under $85,000 may be eligible for FLAG scholarships through WorldStrides. These awards are offered on a sliding scale and are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact WorldStrides for more details.
In addition to FLAG scholarships, Novi-specific financial assistance is available:
- NEF & NMS PTO Scholarships: These scholarships provide partial funding of up to $400. Applications, linked above, must be submitted to the Novi Middle School main office by January 28.
- Novi Youth Assistance Scholarships: This program has a separate application process. Families can visit the Novi Youth Assistance website or contact their office for more information.
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.
My Trip
Accomodations
Medication
Meals
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.
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/
Trip Security
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.
Novi Attire
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.
Behavior Contract
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.