Colonial Adventures: A Lower School Summer Trip to Virginia

In June, Fourth Grade teacher Jeff Brown and I had the joy of traveling with thirteen Colorado Academy students to Williamsburg, Virginia. These rising Fourth and Fifth Graders had spent their Fourth Grade year studying Colonial and Revolutionary American history—and on this trip, they had the extraordinary opportunity to see that history come to life, thanks in large part to our two wonderful tour guides, Sadie and James.

Our travels took us to Jamestown, Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Monticello. In Yorktown, students explored a recreated Continental Army encampment alongside historical reenactors—then marched in the footsteps of revolutionaries, belting out the entire Hamilton soundtrack as they went! At Jamestown, they chatted with archaeologists who had discovered a colonist’s grave that very day. At Monticello, they stood in awe inside Thomas Jefferson’s home, learning about his life and the eclectic collection of objects he gathered from around the world.

In Williamsburg, students enjoyed lively conversations with Patrick Henry and George Wythe. We toured the Governor’s Palace, home of Lord Dunmore, the last royal governor of Virginia. We dined at the King’s Arms Tavern, where one brave student tried a bowl of peanut soup (he liked it!), and everyone enjoyed a live performance of Colonial American music.

One of the most memorable moments happened in the Williamsburg courthouse, where several courageous CA students stood before a packed room of adult visitors to ask thoughtful questions during a trial reenactment. Their curiosity and confidence were on full display—not just in the courtroom, but everywhere we went. They asked insightful questions, engaged deeply with the sites and guides, and impressed every person they encountered.

Other memorable moments included our fun outdoor breakfasts at the hotel, discovering a student quietly reading in the bathtub so as not to wake her roommates, everyone shouting “Huzzah!” as often as possible, and the students’ impressive resilience in Virginia’s sticky summer humidity. And of course, no trip would be complete without a little shopping—our students proved to be enthusiastic and determined souvenir hunters!

I was so proud of our thirteen travelers out in the “wild” beyond campus. Every single day, tourists, guides, and fellow history lovers approached us to ask about them. Again and again, people commented on their knowledge, confidence, eloquence, and good manners—and rightly so.

As I begin my 14th year as a librarian at Colorado Academy, I sometimes forget just how extraordinary our students are—I’ve grown used to being surrounded by them. Chaperoning this trip was a powerful reminder: What’s happening at Colorado Academy is different. The curiosity, kindness, thoughtfulness, and love of learning our students carry with them each day is something special. It’s something to celebrate—and something to be deeply grateful for.