Three-Day Savannah Field Trip Itinerary

Georgia

Morning: Depart from school and arrive in Savannah. Orientation to the city’s historical significance, including its founding in 1733 and its role as Georgia’s first colonial capital.
Midday: Travel to Tybee Island.
Beach Ecology Activity: Guided exploration of the barrier island ecosystem. Students will observe native plants and animals, discuss coastal erosion, and learn about Tybee’s importance in Georgia’s maritime history.
Historical Context: Learn about Tybee Island’s strategic role in colonial defense and its connection to early trade routes. Students will discover how the island was used for military outposts and as a hub for commerce.
Afternoon: Beach picnic lunch and team-building games inspired by Girl Scout Leadership Outcomes (leadership, teamwork, reflection).
Evening: Return to Savannah for hotel check-in and a group dinner. Brief reflection on the day’s discoveries.

Morning: Visit Old Fort Jackson, one of Georgia’s oldest brick fortifications.
Interactive Historical Reenactment: Participate in hands-on activities such as cannon firings, dress-up, and guided tours led by interpreters. Students will learn about the fort’s role during the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War.
Historical Inquiry: Explore how Fort Jackson protected Savannah and its river trade, highlighting the city’s strategic location and its impact on Georgia’s development.
Midday: Tour the First Baptist African Church.
Significance in Georgia History: Discover the church’s founding by enslaved and free African Americans in 1788. Discuss its role as a center for community, faith, and social change, especially during the Civil Rights Movement.
Engaging Activity: Students participate in a discussion on leadership and perseverance, connecting church history to present-day values.
Afternoon: Walk along the Savannah River Walk.
Waving Lady Statue: Visit the famous statue and learn the story of Florence Martus, who greeted passing ships for over 40 years. Discuss the symbolism of hospitality in Savannah’s culture.
Historical Facts: Learn about the river’s role in trade, transportation, and Savannah’s growth as a port city.
Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant and group journaling on the day’s historical insights.

Morning: Georgia History Workshop
Interactive Stations: Students rotate through stations focused on major events in Georgia’s history, such as colonial settlement, the Civil War, and modern civil rights. Activities include map-making, artifact analysis, and skits.
Reflection: Students share what leadership and community mean to them, connecting historical events to their own experiences.
Afternoon: Free time for souvenir shopping and exploring historic downtown squares.
Evening: Riverboat Educational Dinner with DJ
Riverboat Cruise: Embark on a dinner cruise along the Savannah River. While dining, students participate in an interactive Georgia history trivia contest.
DJ & Dance: Celebrate the trip with music and dancing, reinforcing teamwork and leadership through group activities.
Leadership Reflection: Students share highlights and personal growth moments from the trip.
Departure: Board buses for return trip home.

Connects visual arts, history, science, and leadership outcomes for middle school students.
Emphasizes experiential learning, teamwork, and personal reflection.
Engages students in Georgia history through hands-on activities and meaningful discussions.

Standard	Code	Description
Art Response	NAEA VA:Re8.1.5a	Interpret art in context; connect visual arts to personal experiences.
Art Connection	NAEA VA:Cn10.1.5a	Connect visual arts experiences to other disciplines and life experiences.
Girl Scout Leadership Outcomes	GSLE (Discover, Connect, Take Action)	Foster leadership, teamwork, and community service skills through experiential learning and reflection.
U.S. History	NCSS D2.His.3.6-8	Use questions generated about individuals and groups to assess how the significance of their actions changes over time and is shaped by the historical context.
Civic Ideals & Practices	NCSS D2.Civ.7.6-8	Apply civic virtues and democratic principles in school and community settings.
Geography	NCSS D2.Geo.6.6-8	Explain how the physical and human characteristics of places and regions are connected to human identities and cultures.
Science: Ecosystems	NGSS MS-LS2-2	Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.
Inquiry & Analysis	NCSS D2.His.16.6-8	Integrate evidence from multiple sources into a coherent account of the past.
Social Justice	NCSS D2.Civ.14.6-8	Describe strategies for making democracy work in local, state, or national government.