EAST COAST Trip Spring Break 2026 Information!

Itinerary - Boston - NYC - Philly - Washington D.C.
**Download copy of FULL itinerary
WEATHER FORECAST 29º to 88º in five days!!
**For the most part it looks like we are going to be rain free!**
Friday: CLMS 92º - Shorts
Saturday: Boston - Jackets, gloves & beanie
Sunday: Boston/NYC - Warm clothes
Monday: NYC - Warm clothes
Tuesday: NYC/Philly - Possible shorts
Wednesday: Philly/D.C. - Shorts!
Thursday: D.C. - Back to long pants and light sweatshirt
Boston:

NYC:

Philadelphia:

Washington D.C.:

👉 Key takeaway: Layers > bulky jackets
🎒 PACKING LIST
- Beanie
- Light gloves
- Light poncho
- Small umbrella
🧳 Luggage (Recommended)
-
Carry-on roller OR duffle
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Backpack (personal item)
👉 Try to avoid checked bags if possible
👕 Clothing (Layer System)
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4–5 T-shirts (short/long sleeve mix)
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2–3 pairs of pants (jeans/joggers)
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1 comfy travel outfit (for plane)
Warm Layers (IMPORTANT)
-
Hoodie or fleece
-
Medium-weight jacket (needs to actually keep you warm)
-
Optional: lightweight puffer
🌧️ Outerwear
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Water-resistant jacket OR rain shell
-
Compact poncho (recommended for groups)
👟 Footwear
-
Comfortable walking shoes (already broken in)
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5–6 pairs of socks
👉 You will walk 6–10 miles per day
(Some days could be higher)
🧢 Cold Weather Accessories
-
Beanie or knit cap
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Light gloves
👉 Especially important for Boston mornings
🧴 Toiletries
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Travel-size items (TSA compliant)
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Toothbrush, deodorant, etc.
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Chapstick
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Hand sanitizer
🔌 Tech / Travel Essentials
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Phone + charger
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Portable battery pack (highly recommended)
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Headphones
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Charging brick
🚌 Trip Must-Haves
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Refillable water bottle
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Spending money (labeled)
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ID (if required)
-
Printed itinerary or screenshot
✈️ Red-Eye Flight (VERY IMPORTANT)
You will NOT be stopping for food before the flight.
Bring:
-
Dinner or substantial food (sandwich, wrap, etc.)
-
Snacks (granola bars, chips, etc.)
-
Empty water bottle (fill after security)
Optional Comfort Items:
-
Neck pillow
-
Eye mask
-
Sweatshirt or small blanket
👉 We meet at 5:00 PM at CLMS and depart around 5:30 PM
👉 Flight departs 10:50 PM (United Airlines red-eye to Boston)
🚫 Do NOT Bring
-
Too many outfits
-
Bulky suitcases
-
Expensive items
-
Brand new shoes
🎯 Simple Rule for Students
👉 “Pack for cold mornings, long days, and lots of walking.”





















- 4:45 AM - Meet at CLMS
- 5:15 AM - Depart for San Diego Airport
- 8:50 AM - Depart on Alaska Airlines Flight #322
- Snacks highly recommended
- 5:00 PM - Arrive Washington Dulles Airport
- 6:30 PM (3:30 PM PST) - Dinner (* Ballston Quarter)
- 7:15 PM * Pentagon 9/11 Memorial
- 8:00 PM - * Target
Run! :-) - 9:00 PM - Check-in to hotel
-
Westin Gateway 801 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22203 703-717-6200
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- 7:00 AM - Breakfast @ hotel
- 8:00 AM - Depart Hotel
- 9:00 AM - Arlington National Cemetery
- 11:30 AM - Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima)
- 12:00 PM - Lunch @ Pentagon City Mall
- 1:00 PM - Tour Pentagon 9/11 Memorial (*Possibly moved to Saturday @ 7:15PM)
- 1:00 PM - Smithsonian Museum of Choice (*Possible Scavenger Hunt)
- 6:00 PM - Dinner at Samuel Beckett's *Please preselect dinner choice by clicking link here: Dinner Choice
- 7:00 PM - Tour Jefferson, FDR, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials
- 9:00 PM - Return to Hotel
- 7:00 AM - Breakfast @ hotel
- 8:00 AM - Depart Hotel
- 8:30 AM - Capitol Hill tour
- 9:40 AM - Capitol Building Tour
- 11:00 AM - National Archives
- 12:00 PM - Lunch
- 2:00 PM - Holocaust Museum
- 6:00 PM - Dinner
- 7:00 PM - Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors NBA Basketball Game.
- 10:00 PM - Return to Hotel
- 7:00 AM - Breakfast @ hotel
- 8:00 AM - Check-out of hotel
- 8:00 AM - Depart for Philadelphia
- 11:30 AM - Independence Hall - Liberty Bell - Independence Square Historical Scavenger Hunt
- 1:00 PM - Lunch in 'Old City' - Market Street
- 2:00 PM - Depart for New York City
- 4:30 PM - Fifth Avenue Driving Tour
- 5:30 PM - Brooklyn Bridge Walk
- 6:30 PM - Dinner @ "Time Out Market"
- 10:00 PM - Check in to Hotel
- 6:00 AM Wake up
- 7:00 AM - Breakfast @ Hotel
- 10:30 AM - NYC Photo Cruise - Views of Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty
- 12:00 PM - Lunch
- 1:30 PM - NYC Boroughs Tour - Bronx
- 3:30 PM - Central Park Walking Tour
- 5:00 PM - Dinner @ Carmine's
- 7:00 PM - Broadway Show - Wicked
- 10:30 PM - Time's Square Shopping & Group Photo
- 10:45 PM - Return to hotel
- 7:00 AM - Breakfast @ Hotel
- 8:00 AM - Depart Hotel - Bags on Bus
- 9:00 AM - 9/11"Ground Zero" Memorial
- 10:00 AM - One World Trade Observatory
- 12:00 PM - Lunch
- 1:00 PM - Lower Manhattan Walking Tour
- Wall Street
- Wall Street Bull
- Financial District
- Trinity Church
- Federal Hall
- 3:00 PM - Depart for Newark Airport
- 4:30 PM - Dinner at Airport - Alaska Airlines "Terminal B"
- 5:55 PM - Depart on Alaska Airlines Flight #297
- 9:10 PM - Arrive at San Diego Airport
- Transfer bus back to CLMS
- 11:30 PM - Approximate time for CLMS arrival
Travel Logistics
- Meet at CLMS at 4:45 AM sharp on Saturday, March 22nd
- Bus departs at 5:00 AM for the San Diego Airport
- Return flight lands March 27th at 9:10 PM
- Approximate return to CLMS: 11:30 PM
- Parents: Please be on time for pick-up!
Packing Essentials
- Lightweight layers: T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts
- Sweaters or hoodies for layering
- Waterproof, wind-resistant jacket
- Comfortable walking shoes (water-resistant if possible)
- Extra pair of shoes
- Comfortable socks (bring extra)
- Pants/jeans, undergarments, pajamas
- Hat, sunglasses, rain poncho or small umbrella
- Money for souvenirs/extras
- Non-perishable snacks
- Small backpack/daypack
- Personal ID (school ID if applicable)
- Hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, sunscreen, lip balm with SPF
- Portable phone charger
- First-aid kit & prescription meds
- Journal or notebook
- Reusable bag for shopping/carrying items
- Snack food!!
- Comfortable warm outfit (planes can be chilly)
- Neck pillow, small blanket/scarf
- Headphones, entertainment (books, downloaded movies/music, games)
- Refillable water bottle (empty before security)
- Chewing gum/lozenges for ear pressure
Luggage
-
- Size:
- The carry-on bag must not exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches (including wheels and handles).
- Weight:
- Alaska Airlines does not specify a weight limit for carry-on luggage. However, you must be able to lift it into the overhead bin.
-
- Passengers are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item (like a purse or laptop bag) free of charge.
- Checked Luggage: (One checked bag)
- Size:
- The maximum dimensions for checked bags are 62 linear inches (length + width + height).
- Weight:
- The standard weight limit for checked bags is 50 pounds (23 kilograms).
- Bags weighing 51 to 100 pounds incur an additional fee. (Let's not have any bags over 50 pounds) :-)
Hotel & Security
- Hotels:
- Hotel phone numbers & addresses located on the CLMS 8th grade trip webpage
- Washington, D.C.: Westin Gateway, Arlington, VA
- New York City: Sheraton Lincoln Harbor
- Hotel Expectations:
- Volume control in rooms
- Only those assigned to a room should enter
- Keep rooms clean (trash in cans, towels in bathtub)
- Security guards on duty from 10:30 PM - 5:30 AM
- One knock = warning
Money & Budgeting
- Preloaded Debit Card:
- $20 loaded before each meal
- Students manage their own spending
- Any leftover balance is theirs to keep
- Budget wisely for souvenirs and snacks
- Extra spending money is optional but recommended
Communication & Safety
- Emergency Contacts:
- Mr. Quinn: (909) 576-2025
- Mr. Katona: (951) 764-0794
- Group Safety:
- Buddy system at all times
- Chaperones have emergency contacts
- If lost, stay put and call a chaperone
- Life360 Tracking App:
- Join our Life360 East Coast 24 Tour Circle for safety tracking
- Invite Code: UQX-ILN
- Download: Life360 App
Travel Etiquette & Expectations
- Group Togetherness:
- Be on time for all scheduled activities
- Inform chaperones if sick
- Safety first: Stay with your group
- Bus Etiquette:
- Be courteous to the driver & guide
- Drinks with lids only; no food
- Clean up after yourself
- NO MILK products! (No ice cream, no shakes, no Starbucks with any milk! Etc.)
- Airport & Flight Etiquette:
- Follow TSA carry-on rules
- Pack food/snacks for the plane
- Time for food purchases at the airport
- Dress appropriately (no sweats/PJs; we hit the ground running!)
What Not to Bring
-
- No large suitcases
- No expensive valuables
- No energy drinks or excessive snacks
- Limit electronics (label devices and chargers)
Emergency Support & Medical Care
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- Night security guards on every hotel floor
- 24-hour emergency support
- Accident/illness insurance included
- Chaperones will assist if medical attention is needed
Fun & Expectations
-
- Engage in the experience!
- Be respectful & polite everywhere we go
- Take photos, journal, and learn!
- Make lifelong memories!
Questions?
-
- Open floor for questions from parents & students
- Final reminders before departure
- Contact information for chaperones
Thank You! We look forward to an unforgettable experience!
- Mr. Joseph Quinn - Trip Coordinator
- Cell: 909-576-2025
- Email: [email protected]
- Mr. Douglas Katona - Co-Trip Coordinator
- Cell: 951-764-0794
- Email: [email protected]
- Nations Classroom - Tour Company
- Phone: 800-900-1776
- Email: [email protected]















East Coast 2025
- Tour Leaders
- Mr. Quinn:
- Email: [email protected]
- Cell: 909-576-2025
- How to Register
- Waitlist
- **Note: This will be a paid waitlist. All payments will be refunded if a spot does not happen to open up.


