Troop Trip to Washington DC - Where to stay?

[mmallin]

Hello forum,

 

My troop just conducted it's annual plannign conference last week and choose Citizenship as one of the a monthly program features. To tie into that monthly theme the PLC wanted to organize a trip to Washingotn DC. Any thoughts on where to stay while in the DC area and any special activities that the troop could participate in?

 

Thanks!

[SSScout]

Welcome (in advance) to Maryland and DC. Lots of stuff to do. Free museums, the zoo, free concerts, monuments, etc. Contact your Senator or Representative, their office can arrange alot of visits and stuff. Look into visiting the Baltimore Inner Harbor and seeing Fort McHenry and the USS Constellation on your way. Drive to see the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum out in Virginia (seperate from the A&S in downtown DC).

Places to stay...

Camping: about 30 miles NW of DC is Little Bennett Park. Very nice campground, Scout friendly. See::

 

http://mcparkandplanning.org/Parks/enterprise/park_facilities/little_bennett/little_bennet_campground.shtm

From here, you drive about 10 miles to Shady Grove Metro Station and ride the Metro rail down town. Do not drive into DC if you can avoid it. Parking is hard to find and expensive. Buy Metro tickets in advance. All Day Pass (one per each) is the bargain, effective 9:30a to end of day. Now, parking at SGMetro is also at a premium (read thru the parking rules and opportunities on the Metro site), so it is a tradeoff. The rail fare is determined by the time of day, so some visitors do this: Buy all day pass, so you can get on&off as much as you want, but come to the SGMetro early (7 or 8am), buy a one way ticket to get downtown, use the all day pass. Also, don't forget to buy at least ONE "Smart Card" per car to pay for your Metro Garage. ((it's not really as complcated as it sounds))."Smart Card" can be used to pay Rail Fare, Bus Fare and Garage Fee. If SGMetro garage is full, note on Metro map next few stations (White Flint always has room).

Next choice, Greenbelt Park, on the east side of DC.

http://www.nps.gov/gree/ Small and always crowded. Drive/hike about 3 miles to the nearest Metro station.

 

Metro maps and tickets: http://www.wmata.com/

 

Downtown: Join the Hosteling International, and stay at the Hostel in DC. Cheap (relatively), simple accomodations. Walk to almost everything. http://www.hiwashingtondc.org/ Check with them about parking. Use the unit membership to utilize hostels all around the country and world.

 

Contact the National Capital Area Council 301.530.9360 (Bethesda MD, Wisconsin Ave. at Cedar La.) and inquire about camping on Camp W.B. Snyder. This is in Virginia, near Haymarket. Drive about 15 miles to Metro. Nice camp, swimming pool, Scout activities.

 

Whoa,,,I guess that gives you something to chew on. Good Luck!

 

[ASM915]

mm,

We went to DC last April 15-20th. We stayed at Hosteling International at 11th and K Streets for three nights, and camped at Mattaponi Retreat Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland for a Catholic/ Protestant Scouting retreat on the weekend (tenting, cabins, pool, Six Flags close by). The hostel was $29 per night for a 6 bed room and $31 for a 4 bed room. For $2.00 more, you get a continental breakfast. I don't remember the rooms having AC, but we didn't really need it. During the summer you will. The elevator was slow. Parking, we were lucky. We arrived around midnight, and were able to park the van right in front of the hostel for the three nights we were there. Saved on parking across the street in the garage, or around the corner at the Muni lot.

 

Make sure that you tell the hostel exactly how you want things handled, adults roomed on the same floor as the scouts. If you have more scouts then you can put in one room and need a second, but will not fill it, book and pay for the whole room and split the cost of the unfilled beds. This way the boys will not have unknown roommates. Also, when booking the adult rooms, make sure you ask for same sex rooms. The just 18 y/o high schools senior ASM and I were surprised to find we were sharing a room with a young British couple on their way to New Zealand. We did some creative room shuffling and put him with his two brothers, and moved my 17 y/o son and wife into my room with me and the Brit's.

 

We hauled our food with us. The hostel had freezer, fridge ans shelf space for our supplies. Make sure you mark everything. We only put the perishables in the fridge. We kept the rest of the food locked up in the rooms. Older teens and adults weren't a problem, but some of the middle school kids that may be staying could be. We had some soft drinks that came up short.

 

If you meet some of the other groups' adult leaders', I would strike up a conversation with them about when they might be planning on using the kitchen facilities. That way you all could make plans accordingly so as not to be all wanting to be cooking dinner at the same time. We were more flexible since we didn't have a set schedule. If you have enough adults on the trip, another troop split the adults up. Half of the adults went back to the hostel in the afternoon, relaxed, and had dinner prepared when the group came back. The next night the adults switched.

 

All in all, the hosteling experience was good. The scouts were able to meet other kids their ages from Rhode Island, California, Boston, and England. If interested, contact Travlyn Moulten, the manager at 202-737-1508. He was a big help with everything.

 

The Doubledecker Tour Bus pick up was about 3 or 4 blocks away. They had a good two day price. The only drawback was that they only run a two and a half hour one way circuit. A good tour to kill a half a day. They have about 25 stops that you can get off at, and catch a later bus. It helped with getting to Arlington Cemetery.

 

Most of the main attractions are about a half hour walk from the hostel, the Capitol, White House, museums. The monuments were a little further. If they want to tour the White House, Capitol or Pentagon, make sure that you make requests at least two to three months ahead. If you visit the White House, contact the Red Cross. Their national office is just a couple of blocks away. They have a set tour schedule, but if they know that you are Scouts, they will set up a private tour, and supply your group with bottled water. We met some of their staff on the street and were invited to visit. We stopped in a couple of hours later and were treated like royalty.

 

The two day retreat cost $21/person, and the three days at the hostel, fuel and food cost @ $180/person. The fuel ended up being a little less, which helped with the tolls we forgot about on Pa. We came in about $30 over total budget because the deli meat for sandwiches on the way home got fried when the power cord for the cooler ended up plugged into the heat element instead of the cooling element, and had to stop for lunch and dinner on the way home.

 

Also, make sure they wear their dress uniform o the way to Dc and while touring. one of the Wendy's we stopped at let the leaders eat for free. Also, if you have Giant Eagle stores near you, and can rack up fuel perks while shopping for the trip, there is a GetGo about forty miles north of DC in Maryland, and a couple at different points just off the Pa Turnpike. We didn't know this until we were home. We could have filled the tank up twice for free, and actually could have charged less for the trip.

 

Sorry for being long. Have a great time.(This message has been edited by ASM915)

[flowerchild]

Our Troop has gone to DC twice. Both times we stayed at Greenbelt Park. They have a scout loop which we really liked. They charge $2 per head per night. It is located about 2 miles from the Metro line, which is the recommended mode to get into DC. While there the first time we took the bus tour of the city and Arlington Cemetery. In 2006 it was $26 a head and the boys really enjoyed it. In 2008 we went to the Goddard Space Center, which was free, and the boys enjoyed that also.

 

We did all of our shopping there except for the first night meal and breakfast. There are several grocery stores near the campground. The cost for the trip, including gas for the drivers, was $100/person in 2006 and $120 in 2008. We ate well and even went out to dinner to a Chinese buffet on the last night of each trip. We stayed 4 days.

 

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

[sweetspiritpamh]

The Tejas district color guard from Arlington Texas will be going for their 3rd Presidential Inauguration. They take 44 scouts and the director, Dr. Bill Spencer has it down to a science. Contact him for some ideas. They spend 10 days there and every minute is full. There web site is http://tejasdistrictcolorguard.org/ It is a take your breath away trip according to my kids. Last time 3 kids and husband got to go, this time just my son is making the trip. But I'm still very excited for him.

[Hal_Crawford]

Another camping option in the DC area is Pohick Bay Regional Park. http://www.nvrpa.org/parks/pohickbay/index.php Part of the park is a decommissioned BSA camp. The park is conveniently located to Mt Vernon plantation (George Washington's home) and Gunston Hall (George Mason's home). Closest metro is Springfield/Franconia with 5000+ parking spaces.

 

Note that all of the Smithsonian museums are free admission which will be really a plus with a group of scouts. You have to pay to park at Udvar Hazy but it is worth it.

 

Must sees:

The Smithsonian American History museum just reopened after a 2 year renovation. See the original star spangled banner that flew over Fort McHenry.

 

The US capitol has just opened its new visitor's center. You might want to contact your congressman to see if his office can set up anything special at the US capitol.

 

The Air and Space Museum on the Mall and the Udvar Hazy museum (near Dulles International Airport) are both great, especially for scout aged guys.

 

The Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. Between them are a the WWII memorial and the Vietnam memorial.

 

National Archives: see the original Declaration of Independence and Constitution.

 

With the exception of Udvar Hazy all of the can be accessed from one Metro stop (though there are several to choose from around the Mall). I believe that all of the above are free.

 

In Virginia there is Arlington National Cemetery. You can arrange for your troop to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/ceremonies/wreath_layings.html Serious scouts in full uniform please! This is a serious event. Even if you just go to see the changing of the guards it is worthwhile. Near the cemetery are the Pentagon (doubt they give tours, security is tight since 9/11) and the Iwo Jima Memorial. These are all in Arlington County (my home) which was originally part of the District of Columbia.

 

You could spend a month here and not see everything. Hope you have a great time.

 

Hal

Arlington, VA

[Hal_Crawford]

Another camping option in the DC area is Pohick Bay Regional Park. http://www.nvrpa.org/parks/pohickbay/index.php Part of the park is a decommissioned BSA camp. The park is conveniently located to Mt Vernon plantation (George Washington's home) and Gunston Hall (George Mason's home). Closest metro is Springfield/Franconia with 5000+ parking spaces.

 

Note that all of the Smithsonian museums are free admission which will be really a plus with a group of scouts. You have to pay to park at Udvar Hazy but it is worth it.

 

Must sees:

The Smithsonian American History museum just reopened after a 2 year renovation. See the original star spangled banner that flew over Fort McHenry.

 

The US capitol has just opened its new visitor's center. You might want to contact your congressman to see if his office can set up anything special at the US capitol.

 

The Air and Space Museum on the Mall and the Udvar Hazy museum (near Dulles International Airport) are both great, especially for scout aged guys.

 

The Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. Between them are a the WWII memorial and the Vietnam memorial.

 

National Archives: see the original Declaration of Independence and Constitution.

 

With the exception of Udvar Hazy all of the can be accessed from one Metro stop (though there are several to choose from around the Mall). I believe that all of the above are free.

 

In Virginia there is Arlington National Cemetery. You can arrange for your troop to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/ceremonies/wreath_layings.html Serious scouts in full uniform please! This is a serious event. Even if you just go to see the changing of the guards it is worthwhile. Near the cemetery are the Pentagon (doubt they give tours, security is tight since 9/11) and the Iwo Jima Memorial. These are all in Arlington County (my home) which was originally part of the District of Columbia.

 

You could spend a month here and not see everything. Hope you have a great time.

 

Hal

Arlington, VA

[SSScout]

It truly is amazing what one can accomplish by internet without ever leaving home or waiting for return mail.

 

Some notes on trips like this: 1)Buddy system. Each Scout walks with a buddy, doesn't have to be the same each day. Each Scout carries ID, a map of the area , cell phone numbers 2) morning meeting to make sure EVERYONE knows where we are going and how 3) check in times and places. 4) wear the uni. Wear Scout Hats! One can see a Scout hat a long way off, but a boy's head is a boy's head. And be appreciative of the waves and smiles you'll elicit, and the 'favors' you'll be offered. 5) ***Pocket knives should be left behind when you will be visiting museums and the Capitol, etc. The security folks can be very strict about this, Scouts not withstanding. No such restriction on the Metro, but I've had occasion to be the dad who stays outside the site with 15 pocket knives while everyone else goes inside. 6) Save money, pack a lunch and nibble on the mall or outside Udvar-Hazy, etc. Try the Astronaut ice cream (freeze dried!)7) Dress for the weather. Our motto down here is "if you don't like the weather today, just wait". 8) money for souvenirs. All over the place, everywhere you go, street vendors, museum shops, be careful with your cash, it is the Big City...

 

Y'all come and have fun...

 

Check out the National Building Museum,(they have Scout programs weekends in the summer) Gallery Place Metro.

College Park Aviation Museum, close to Greenbelt park.

 

[TwoXForr]

The only problem with the Greenbelt Park is you hear traffic noise all night long.

 

Good place to stay, very close to the Metro line, which is the best way to get around DC.

[HobcawChaos]

There is a 4-H youth conference center in Chevy Chase MD, one mile away. They reportedly have reasonable rates for groups. It also has a cafe that can fill your meal needs with all-you-can-eat buffets. Rooms either have 2 bunk beds or 2 double beds. Might be worth calling for pricing but will definitely be more than camping.

 

www.4HCenter.org

[Eagle732]

We will be spending three days this summer visiting the Smithsonian museums, Arlington, and the monuments on the Mall in Washington DC and I have a few questions:

1. Are daypacks allowed in the museums? I'm thinking we will carry lunch, water, rain gear etc.but would not want to have to leave someone outside watching 15 packs.

2. We'll be camping at Greenbelt. For those that have stayed there do you leave your tents and gear set up while your gone for the day? Is the campsite secure? I'm thinking that we leave the tents up but lock up valuables in a vehicle.

[SMT224]

Per your questions...

 

1) You will not be allowed to bring backpacks into any Smithsonian museum. You can either leave someone outside, or check your items at the museum. Checking is best, although will add some time to your expedition.

2) Greenbelt is like any other National Park camp ground. Lock up valuables in cars, basic items in tents and your cooking equipment should be fine.

 

Other:

 

To be in the Scout loop, you will need to present both a Tour Permit and Proof of Insurance.

 

Go to the College Park Metro - they have a new parking garage, and will likely have space. Greenbelt Metro fills up by 9 am.

 

Watch out for poison ivy at Greenbelt Park!!!

 

I highly recommend the National Building museum, quiet, rarely any crowds, interesting exhibits, and housed in a beautiful building - Washington's first Federal Building (1880). Just get off at Judiciary Metro (red line) and follow the signs.

 

Have fun!

[HobcawChaos]

Eagle732, not sure about SMT224's response to #1

 

Our family vacation was in DC this summer the week of July 4th. My handy green Jansport daypack went everywhere with us except the White House and Capitol. No packs are allowed in the White House (nor are there facilities or lockers) and we had to leave it in the Representative's office at the Capitol. The bag (standard bookbag size) was welcomed and carried through all the Smithsonian museums and the Spy Museum. It contained the usual stuff: camera, snacks, water, first aid kit.....

 

Don't know about Greenbelt. We camped at Pohick Bay and put valuable in the car. Gear out of site in the tent with no problems other than some squirrels that tried to eat through a marine cooler.

[SMT224]

On reflection, me thinks HobcawChaos is right - bags ok, but will be searched on entering.

[ntrog8r]

Bags at Smithsonian are OK. Most places in DC are filled with tourists carrying all kinds of things after all.

 

The Washington Monument will allow bags, but it is crowded in there and you will probably want to go inside in groups, leaving bags with the other group as you go. National Holocaust Museum and the Wahington Monument will allow NO knives or other blades (like a small razor or scissors found in some first aid kits) inside.

 

Many places will only allow CLEAR water bottles, if your Scouts are packing Nalgenes.

 

If there are folks in your troop who collect National Passport stamps, remind them to pack them because there are probably over a hundred you can get in an hour there!

 

Enjoy your trip!