Adventures in Americana Tour
Harper's Ferry
There’s no better way to learn history than to see its artifacts rise up in three dimensions before your eyes. You will never forget the US history you vividly see and hear on this 9 or 11 day tour of key sites in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Join us as we witness the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the National Cathedral, the White House, Gettysburg Battlefield and the place where Lincoln delivered his famous address, Jefferson’s Monticello, Washington’s Mount Vernon, Jamestown, Yorktown, and much more. This trip is suitable for families, high school and middle school students. Middle school students must be accompanied by at least one parent or guardian.
Dr. Mark Draper, professor of Historical Theology at Lancaster Bible College and Capital Seminary, will be teaching throughout the tour and college credit is available. Curriculum includes writing a paper on a historical aspect of the tour and doing a presentation.
The tour is hosted by Dr. Matt Heckel, who teaches history at Heritage Classical Christian Academy, Covenant Theological Seminary, and Missouri Baptist University. Bethany Hockenbury who teaches American literature at Heritage Classical Christian Academy and at University of the Cumberlands and has traveled extensively in this historical land will bring her expertise. Liz Hobbs who teaches American history and music at Heritage Classical Christian Academy will contribute her profound insights into the past and current culture of the US as well. Students will be immersed in the history of our nation and its heritage as they benefit from Dr. Draper’s guidance and these other teachers in their fields. Come join us on this great journey into the past for the sake of the present and our future.
Dr. Matt Heckel teaches US History 1 and 2 at Missouri Baptist University and many other historical subjects at Heritage Classical Christian Academy and Covenant Theological Seminary. He has a Ph.D. in Reformation Studies from Concordia Seminary St. Louis and an M.Div. from Covenant Theological Seminary. He has been published in the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Presbyterion, Church History, Integritè, contributed to the T & T Clark Companion to Reformation Theology, and has a forthcoming book entitled His Spear Through My Side into Luther: Calvin’s Relationship to Luther’s Doctrine of the Will. Matt and his wife Tammy have three children and are members at Chesterfield Presbyterian Church where he has taught Sunday School. He enjoys following Cardinal baseball, reading, watching movies and documentaries, traveling, and is always up for a round of golf.
Liz Hobbs, with more than 20 years of teaching experience at Heritage Classical Christian Academy, has a passion for life-long learning and a love of history. Liz possesses a unique background and blend of qualifications and experience, holding Master of Arts degrees in both Audiology and Vocal Music Pedagogy. After her early career as an Audiologist, she spent many years as a stay-at-home mom and earned her second master’s degree. Hired at Heritage in 2000, she discovered her gift of teaching and has never looked back. Liz teaches a variety of history classes at Heritage—US History, World History, and Music History—as well as writing classes for Freshmen and Seniors. Grandmother of seven, Liz enjoys biking and traveling (often at the same time!) with her husband.-
Trip Itinerary
Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B= Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day 1: Monday, July 8, 2024
We will depart from St. Louis this morning and head for Philadelphia, commonly referred to as Philly, which is famous for being the birthplace of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We will transfer to our centrally located hotel and visit the Liberty Bell in Independence Hall. The bell bears a timeless message from Leviticus 25:10, “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof”. We will have a group meal this evening and hear more about the upcoming trip. (D)Day 2: Tuesday, July 9, 2024
After breakfast in the hotel, we will return to Independence Hall where we will see where the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This building was originally the Pennsylvanian courthouse and has seen many important trials. After a group lunch (at the City Tavern if it’s reopened), we will tour the Ben Franklin House and Museum. We will then drive to Gettysburg, having a group dinner on the way. Our second overnight is in Gettysburg. (B/L/D)Day 3: Wednesday, July 10, 2024
We will have breakfast in the hotel, we will tour to Gettysburg Museum, including the panorama of the battlefield. We will then visit the battlefield and learn more about what happened during the Civil War battle on July 1-3, 1863. This was where Lincoln delivered his “Gettysburg Address”. After dining in Gettysburg, we will continue on to Brunswick. (B/D)Day 4: Thursday, July 11, 2024
After breakfast we will tour the charming town of Harpers Ferry in the Blue Ridge Mountains. John Brown’s Raid on October 16, 1859, was the flashpoint that ignited the Civil War. In the afternoon we will take a scenic float down the Shenandoah River on tubes with the River Riders Float Co.. We will overnight in Charlottesville, VA. (B/D)Day 5: Friday, July 12, 2024
We will have breakfast in the hotel, then we will have a guided house tour of Jefferson’s magnificent residence, Monticello. Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence, the third president of the USA, and the founder of the University of Virginia. The gardens are a botanic showpiece with plants from around the world. We will have lunch in the Michie Tavern, then walk through UVA campus or Monroe’s Highlands. We will overnight in Woodbridge, VA. (B/L)Day 6: Saturday, July 13, 2024
We will start our day with breakfast in the hotel, then we’ll tour Mount Vernon, the historic home of American’s first president, George Washington, and his wife Martha. Our tour will include the house, grounds and a boat ride. In the afternoon we will have a bus tour seeing the main sites of Washington, D.C. before we check-in to our hotel. We will dine together this evening. (B/D)Day 7: Sunday, July 14, 2024
After breakfast in the hotel, we will attend the morning service at the National Cathedral. The rest of the day will be spent exploring the Smithsonian Museums and the National Mall monuments. We will dine together this evening. (B/D)Day 8: Monday, July 15, 2024
We will eat breakfast in the hotel and then tour Ford’s Theater, President Lincoln was assassinated on on April 14, 1865. We will learn more about our Christian heritage at the Museum of the Bible, which has many interactive displays. We will dine together this evening. (B/D)Day 9: Tuesday, July 16, 2024
After breakfast, those leaving today will have an airport transfer. (B)OPTIONAL EXTENSION
Day 9: Tuesday, July 16, 2024
After breakfast in the hotel, we will drive to Jamestown, where Colonists created an established settlement in the 1600s, reminding them of their native England. After exploring the Living History settlement and Indian village, we will continue on to Yorktown. The final battle of the Revolutionary War was fought in the fall of 1781 and Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, ensuring independence. We will learn about the life of Revolutionary soldiers and the historic battle. We will dine and stay overnight in Colonial Williamsburg. (B/D)Day 10: Wednesday, July 17, 2024
We will have breakfast in the hotel, then learn more about colonial life, as we visit the 500+ restored buildings at the Living History museum in Williamsburg. From 1699 to 1780, Williamsburg was the most influential English colony in America. We will return to Washington D.C. for our final dinner and overnight stay. (B/D)Day 11: Thursday, July 18, 2024
After breakfast in the hotel, we will transfer to the airport. (B)Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.
-
What are accommodations like?
Our hotels are chosen for their quality, amenities and proximity to areas of interest. Whenever possible, we choose hotels in town centers, so that you are able to go off and explore in your free time. It may be necessary for us to substitute hotels for others of equal quality. You will be fully informed of any changes that affect you. Enjoy your stay!
-
Flight Information
As travelers are coming from so many different places, group flights are not available for this tour.
What’s included in the land price of $3,199?
*Price based on a minimum of 30 participants, based on triple and quad occupancy. Single supplement is $1,200. Twin/Double supplement is $300 per person.
The extension is $480, based on a minimum of 20 participants. Single occupancy ($300), double occupancy ($75).
Your Tour Includes
• Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
• Accommodations (triple or quad occupancy) in 3 or 4-star hotels
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Dr Mark Draper as Tour Host
• Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
• Admission to all activities indicated in the itinerary
• Group arrival and departure transfers
• All taxes and tips
• Personalized travel appYour Tour Does Not Include
• Round-trip air transportation
• Individual arrival and departure transfers, if not with the group
• Supplement for single occupancy ($1,200)
• Supplement for double occupancy ($300)
• Meals and beverages not identified in itinerary
• Items of a personal nature.
• Passenger trip cancellation insurance (options available)Payment Schedule
The deposit of $350 per person is due at the time of booking through the registration system. As you register you will be given the option to pay by ACH (direct from your bank) or by credit card (3.5% fee). If you prefer, checks can be mailed to “Reformation Tours”, 12316 244th St, Chisago City, MN 55013-9688
• The second deposit of $1,350 is due by February 1, 2024
• Final invoices will be sent in April 2024
• Final payment is due by May 1, 2024
• Reservations will be accepted after May 1, 2024 subject to availabilityInsurance
There are two levels of insurance offered. Click here to compare. When you fill out the registration form, you will be given quotes for both.
Standard is 4.55% of the trip cost and can be purchased up until 2 days prior to departure, although we recommend purchasing it before.
Enhanced is 7.6% of the trip cost and includes cancel for any reason benefits. It has to be purchased within 14 days of registration.
Cancellations
Regardless of reason, cancellations are costly, so we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance:
Days Before Travel Cancellation Penalty If the client cancels From sign-up until 100 days before departure $150 If the client cancels Between 99 and 30 days before departure $350 + any non-refundable fees If the client cancels Less than 30 days before departure No refund Cancellations must be received in writing by 5:00 p.m. central time on the last business day of the applicable time period. For flight changes or cancellations, revision fees and/or airline cancellation charges will apply. Roommates canceling can result in a single supplement charge for the roommate. The Participant who cancels will be responsible for that charge if a substitute roommate cannot be found. Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is strongly recommended. Reformation Tours cannot assume responsibility for any additional costs or fees relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of air tickets or other arrangements not made through Reformation Tours.
Reformation Tours reserves the rights to alter itineraries without notice should it become necessary.
Please click on the button below to access the printable registration page and register.
Social Share
Click on the map to see a larger version. The numbers refer to overnights in these location