History came to life last week as the Class of 2033 traveled on their first overnight trip to Solvang, California.
The learning adventure began at the historic Santa Barbara Presidio, one of California's four presidios, a historic Spanish fortified base. Inside the church, students were captivated by a reenactment of Spanish settlers, watching as their silhouettes came to life on the walls during a traditional mission wedding. They were also fascinated by the cannons once used by Spanish soldiers to defend California's coast, but the true highlight was ringing an authentic mission bell. Following the Presidio tour, the group enjoyed a relaxing lunch in the beautiful gardens of the Santa Barbara Courthouse.
Upon arriving in Solvang, the class explored the Santa Inés Mission, where a scavenger hunt provided an engaging way to learn about the mission's history. Following this activity, these young travelers ventured through town and ended the day with dinner and evening games back at the hotel. Aiden V. '33 shared, "It was fun because we were learning a lot about the Spanish Missions, but we also spent time with our friends."
On the second day, students visited the beautiful La Purisima Mission. Docents transported them back to the 1800s, offering an immersive experience of mission life. Each stop provided hands-on learning experiences—from handling hides in the leather room to exploring the soldiers' cuartel (Spanish for "barracks"). Students were especially captivated by interactive opportunities like drilling holes in the woodworking shop, grinding corn in the outdoor kitchen, and spinning wool into yarn in the weaving room, bringing history to life in every space.
After an unforgettable trip, the group gathered for lunch under the shade of giant oak trees in the Chumash village, sharing stories and reflecting on their favorite moments from the journey. Students relished this perennial tradition of experiential learning in 4th Grade's social studies curriculum.
#SCLowerSchool #SCExperientialLearning
