Central students will have the opportunity to embark on a multi-country trip across Europe to learn about World War II history in the summer of 2025. Students will travel to England, France, Belgium and the Netherlands over a period of thirteen days.
The trip is organized by history teacher Scott Wilson with Education First, a company specializing in student tours.
EF Student Tours tailors each trip to the schools. Central students enrolled on the tour will visit World War I and World War II cemeteries featuring past alumni, including Marion Crandell, a war relief volunteer at a canteen near the French front lines. In 1918, the canteen was struck by an artillery shell, killing her, making her the first American woman to die in active service during WWII. Along the way, Wilson will tell the stories of Central graduates who served during the World Wars.
Students will walk in the footsteps of those who lived through the wars at places like the Churchill War Rooms or Normandy Beach. Additionally, the trip will include visits to notable museums like the Anne Frank House and Imperial War Museum.
Although the trip’s focus is World War II history, it is not solely focused on World War II. Beyond the historical focus, students will have the opportunity to do some traditional sightseeing. They will explore iconic European landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower. Art enthusiasts will enjoy seeing the “Mona Lisa” at the Louvre and “Sunflowers” at the Van Gogh Museum.
AP World History and IB History teacher McKenna Paintin noted that this is a great opportunity for students “Because how often is it that anyone can go on trips like this, let alone high school students?” she said.
Wilson echoed this sentiment.
“Travel really opens up students to a larger world. I think students that travel tend to be students that are explorers. They’re people that set aside their fears and try new things. And traveling is about adapting. It’s new languages, it’s new money, it’s new cultures, it’s new systems, learning how to ride a subway and learning how to get from A to B in a foreign country. It’s empowering,”
The program includes round-trip airfare, on-tour transportation, hotels with private bathrooms, breakfast and dinner, a full-time tour director, daily activities, tours and entrances to attractions. The only cost students must cover is lunch.
This is Wilson’s last student trip to Europe, marking the end of a decade-long tradition. He has consistently organized these tours every three years since 2015, and next June will be his fourth, and final trip.
Although he acknowledges the milestone, right now Wilson is focused on preparing for June.
“I’m sure when it’s over, I’ll probably be reflective on being able to do these kinds of trips with students, which has been a real highlight of my career, for sure,” he said.
For more information, please contact Mr. Wilson at [email protected] or stop by room 234 with any questions.
