|
Northup has led over 13,700 students on school trips across the nation.
A seventh grade science teacher at Evans Middle School, Northup started his student travel programs in 1976.
As a student at Evans, Northup went on a school trip to Chicago with his principal, Allen Ramy.
He never forgot the trip. When he began teaching, he wanted to provide his kids with the same educational experiences. That is why he started his travel programs which include five out-of-state trips. Some are specific to students' grade level, and all are curriculum-based.
One trip is Discovery 21, part of the Walt Disney Youth Education Series. Students go to Florida and take classes with Disney personnel.
"They have an opportunity to work with the Disney staff and see what it is like," Northup said.
The Great Western Expedition is a two-week camp program throughout the western United States.
"We go to places like Yellowstone [National Park] and the trip covers about 3,000 miles of west coast territory," Northup said.
The other three trips include the Chicago Science trip, the St. Louis Experience and the East Coast trip to Washington D.C., which has been expanded recently to cover Gettysburg, Pa., and Virginia Beach, Va.
Northup has been doing his traveling programs for 33 years. He plans to retire from the school system after this year, but will continue the travel programs.
"We have so many students in our school system that haven't had that many trip opportunities," Northup said. "So many of them haven't even crossed the Mississippi [River]."
Northup feels that through these trips the kids get the experiences they should have in their lives.
"It's easier to do these kind of trips at this age level..." Northup said ... "when the kids are still interested in learning about the places they are going to."
Adventures include horseback riding, kayaking and a variety of other activities.
"It's great to see their faces light up when they see the mountains or the ocean for the first time," he said.
The programs also have benefited Northup in a family setting. His daughter has been on several of the trips with him and has helped out with several others.
"She has taken part on most of the trips I go on," he said.
Northup also has had some parents who went on the trips when they attended Evans and they return and go on the trips with their own children.
"It's kind of neat how some of the parents come back to chaperone the trips," he said. "When I see the kids, ten years later as adults, coming on the trips with their kids, they get a better appreciation for what I wanted them to see."
Some still go as chaperones even after their kids have graduated from school.
"This is one of the most extravagant travel programs I have seen in a school district anywhere," he said. "So many school districts are afraid to let the kids participate in these activities, but I think it is a great and unique experience for their young minds."
He is extremely appreciative of the community for being able to raise over $12.3 million over the years.
"This speaks very highly of our community," he said.
Scott Niles can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or via e-mail at sjniles@mchsi.com.
|
