Filling Fast!
Jun 12 - Jun 17, 20251,999
1,099
Washington, D.C.
Spy Kids: Sleuths & Secrets With Your Grandchild
Program No. 23214RJ
Decode D.C.’s history of espionage with your spy kid grandchild, as you visit the city’s most notorious spy sites and learn about investigative gadgets from former CIA and NSA agents.
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We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
Age 10 - 14
ROOMING OPTION PRICING
The figures below indicate the rooming options available.
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Jun 12 - Jun 17, 2025
| 1,999 / Adult
1,099 / Child
| 1,999 / Adult
1,099 / Child
| 2,649 / Adult
1,099 / Child
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Jun 26 - Jul 1, 2025
1,999 1,099 | ||||
Jun 26 - Jul 1, 2025
| 1,999 / Adult
1,099 / Child
| 1,999 / Adult
1,099 / Child
| 2,649 / Adult
1,099 / Child
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Jul 10 - Jul 15, 2025
1,999 1,099 | ||||
Jul 10 - Jul 15, 2025
| 1,999 / Adult
1,099 / Child
| 1,999 / Adult
1,099 / Child
| 2,649 / Adult
1,099 / Child
| |
Jul 17 - Jul 22, 2025
1,999 1,099 | ||||
Jul 17 - Jul 22, 2025
| 1,999 / Adult
1,099 / Child
| 1,999 / Adult
1,099 / Child
| 2,649 / Adult
1,099 / Child
| |
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This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
6 days
5 nights
13 meals
5B 4L 4D
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Washington, DC
2
National Cryptologic Museum, D.C. Highlights
Washington, DC
3
Mount Vernon, Spying & The Revolutionary War
Washington, DC
4
International Spy Museum, Free Time
Washington, DC
5
Udvar-Hazy Center Military Aviation, Spy Craft
Washington, DC
6
Program Concludes
Washington, DC
At a Glance
Invite your grandchild to join the ranks of Harriet the Spy, Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys and Encyclopedia Brown as they transform into student sleuths and spy kids during a week of mysterious adventure. Together, you’ll investigate Washington D.C.’s cryptic history during visits to the city’s most notorious spy sites, as well as the International Spy Museum and the Cryptologic Museum at the NSA Headquarters. Meet former CIA agents, and learn about different spying devices and decoding tactics on this covert adventure!
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Program involves walking up to two full miles each day, taking Washington, D.C. public transportation, and getting on/off motor coach.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Enjoy a private, hands-on presentation on the art of espionage from a former intelligence officer.
- View rare spy artifacts and learn all about the art of espionage at the International Spy Museum.
- Decode D.C.’s history of espionage at Mount Vernon as you learn about the Culper Ring, America’s first network of spies, coordinated by George Washington himself.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Charles J. Miller
Chuck Miller served 28 years at the Central Intelligence Agency and National Reconnaissance Office. At the CIA, he held assignments as a technical operations officer, program manager, systems engineer, and technical counterintelligence officer. At the NRO, he served as mission director, project manager and senior systems engineer. Chuck served abroad for ten years in support of overseas operations. Chuck retired in 2001 and was awarded the Career Intelligence Medal and the NRO Silver Medal for Achievement. Since 2009, Mr. Miller has been an independent consultant.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Charles J. Miller
View biography
Chuck Miller served 28 years at the Central Intelligence Agency and National Reconnaissance Office. At the CIA, he held assignments as a technical operations officer, program manager, systems engineer, and technical counterintelligence officer. At the NRO, he served as mission director, project manager and senior systems engineer. Chuck served abroad for ten years in support of overseas operations. Chuck retired in 2001 and was awarded the Career Intelligence Medal and the NRO Silver Medal for Achievement. Since 2009, Mr. Miller has been an independent consultant.
Brian Hilton
View biography
Brian Hilton was a guide and researcher at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate for 10 years, and has portrayed George Washington as a historical interpreter since 2007. He was selected as the James Madison Fellow for the Commonwealth of Virginia from 2021-2022, and currently is the official George Washington for the City of Alexandria, Virginia. He is, first and foremost, an educator and academic portraying Washington with the goal and intention of informing, inspiring and interacting with audiences across the country and around the world.
Suggested Reading List
(5 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Spy Kids: Sleuths & Secrets With Your Grandchild
Program Number: 23214
Spy Science: 40 Secret-Sleuthing, Code-Cracking, Spy-Catching Activities for Kids
Discover how spies use science to keep--or uncover--top secrets.Learn how to go under cover, master Morse code, and even build devices to see and hear through walls! These and dozens of other fun-filled activities give you an inside look at the science behind spy gadgets and tricks of the trade. All the activities are completely safe and can be done with everyday stuff from around the house.
Capturing Jonathan Pollard
Jonathan Pollard, an intelligence analyst working in the U.S. Naval Investigative Service's Anti-Terrorist Alert Center, systematically stole highly sensitive secrets from almost every major intelligence agency in the United States. In just eighteen months he sold more than one million pages of classified material to Israel. No other spy in U.S. history has stolen so many secrets, so highly classified, in such a short period of time. Author Ronald Olive was in charge of counterintelligence in the Washington office of the Naval Investigative Service that investigated Pollard and garnered the confession that led to his arrest in 1985 and eventual life sentence. His book reveals details of Pollard's confession, his interaction with the author when suspicion was mounting, and countless other details never before made public. Olive points to mistaken assumptions and leadership failures that allowed Pollard to ransack America's defense intelligence long after he should have been caught.
Spy on History: Mary Bowser and the Civil War Spy Ring
Meet Mary Bowser, an African American spy who was able to infiltrate the Confederate leadership at the highest level. Enigma Alberti dramatizes Mary Bowser’s suspenseful story—how she pretended to be illiterate, how she masterfully evaded detection, how she used her photographic memory to “copy” critical documents.
Using spycraft materials included in a sealed envelope inside the book, a canny reader will be able to discover and unravel clues embedded in the text and illustrations, and solve the book’s ultimate mystery: Where did Mary hide her secret diary?
Cast No Shadow: The Life of the American Spy Who Changed the Course of World War II
A biography of one of the most successful spies in World War II tells how she used international, high-ranking trysts to pry top-secret information from the enemy and put it into the hands of Allied forces.
Of Spies and Lies
Any serious study of the Vietnam War would be less than complete without accounting for the CIA's role in that conflict-a role that increased dramatically after the Tet offensive in 1968. We know most of the details of military engagement in Vietnam, given its greater visibility, but until recently clandestine operations have remained shrouded in secrecy.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
6 days
Program Begins
Washington, DC
Program Concludes
Washington, DC
Meals
13
| 5B |
4L |
4D |
Activity Level
Invite your grandchild to join the ranks of Harriet the Spy, Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys and Encyclopedia Brown as they transform into student sleuths and spy kids during a week of mysterious adventure. Together, you’ll investigate Washington D.C.’s cryptic history during visits to the city’s most notorious spy sites, as well as the International Spy Museum and the Cryptologic Museum at the NSA Headquarters. Meet former CIA agents, and learn about different spying devices and decoding tactics on this covert adventure!)
Best of all, you'll...
- Enjoy a private, hands-on presentation on the art of espionage from a former intelligence officer.
- View rare spy artifacts and learn all about the art of espionage at the International Spy Museum.
- Decode D.C.’s history of espionage at Mount Vernon as you learn about the Culper Ring, America’s first network of spies, coordinated by George Washington himself.
Featured Expert
Charles J. Miller
Chuck Miller served 28 years at the Central Intelligence Agency and National Reconnaissance Office. At the CIA, he held assignments as a technical operations officer, program manager, systems engineer, and technical counterintelligence officer. At the NRO, he served as mission director, project manager and senior systems engineer. Chuck served abroad for ten years in support of overseas operations. Chuck retired in 2001 and was awarded the Career Intelligence Medal and the NRO Silver Medal for Achievement. Since 2009, Mr. Miller has been an independent consultant.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Brian Hilton
Brian Hilton was a guide and researcher at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate for 10 years, and has portrayed George Washington as a historical interpreter since 2007. He was selected as the James Madison Fellow for the Commonwealth of Virginia from 2021-2022, and currently is the official George Washington for the City of Alexandria, Virginia. He is, first and foremost, an educator and academic portraying Washington with the goal and intention of informing, inspiring and interacting with audiences across the country and around the world.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Program involves walking up to two full miles each day, taking Washington, D.C. public transportation, and getting on/off motor coach.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(5 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
13 meals | 5B | 4L | 4D |
1 expert-led lecture
5 expert-led field trips
3 hands-on experiences
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Washington, DC
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hyatt Place Washington DC/National Mall
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 3:00-5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the hotel lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 5:15 p.m.: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Grandparent program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren at all times. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Minors are never to be left unsupervised. We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures, lead field trips, performances and hands-on experiences. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach, public transportation, and walking. Your knowledgeable Group Leader will provide you with all pertinent information. We will have meals at the hotel and local restaurants, and a period for you to explore local cuisine on your own. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
National Cryptologic Museum, D.C. Highlights
Location:
Washington, DC
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hyatt Place Washington DC/National Mall
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles throughout the day, approximately 75 minutes total riding time. Walking up to 1 mile and standing at museum.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will depart by motorcoach for the National Cryptologic Museum in Annapolis, Maryland, where you can join your grandchild on a scavenger hunt around the museum or crack open your own interests with a separate expert-led journey.
Lunch:
At the museum.
Afternoon:
After we’ve mastered cryptology, we’ll head back to D.C. for a motorcoach exploration of the monuments and memorials led by our expert Group Leader.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Rest up for tomorrow, when we will take a field trip to learn about one of America’s founding fathers and his role as a spymaster.
Day
3
Mount Vernon, Spying & The Revolutionary War
Location:
Washington, DC
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hyatt Place Washington DC/National Mall
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 45 miles throughout the day, approximately 75 minutes total riding time. Walking and standing up to 1 hour with some uneven terrain and steep inclines.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we will welcome George Washington himself, who – via a historical re-enactor – will reveal more about the Revolutionary War and the Culper Spy ring before we head to his home at Mount Vernon. After, we will board the motorcoach and head to Virginia for a field trip to explore George Washington’s estate at Mount Vernon, a National Historic Landmark. On our way, we will watch a film about the Culper spy ring who reported to General Washington during the Revolutionary War.
Lunch:
At Mount Vernon.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will explore the mansion with a knowledgeable expert. We’ll learn about the history of George and Martha Washington’s beloved home and how Washington personally supervised its design and expansion. From MountVernon.org: “In 1754, George Washington began residing at Mount Vernon, a 3,000 acre estate and a house that likely approximated 3,500 square feet. By his death, Washington’s Mount Vernon consisted of about 7,600 acres and an almost 11,000 square foot mansion.” We will have some time to continue exploring Mount Vernon independently to see what interests each of us most. There are four different gardens, the tombs of George and Martha, a working farm, and re-creations of his distillery and gristmill.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
International Spy Museum, Free Time
Location:
Washington, DC
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hyatt Place Washington DC/National Mall
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles indoors and out; urban terrain. Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will walk over to the International Spy Museum for a self-directed field trip. The museum – which moved into its current location in 2019 – is “…the only public museum in the U.S. dedicated solely to espionage and the only one in the world that provides a global perspective on the ‘invisible’ profession....” Its large and extensive collection includes amazing artifacts of international espionage, some never displayed publicly before. Many of these objects are being seen by the public for the first time. The museum seeks to present the history of espionage throughout history with accurate, unbiased information.
Lunch:
At leisure. You will be provided with a gift card for your lunch before you head out for your day of exploring our nation's capital.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Udvar-Hazy Center Military Aviation, Spy Craft
Location:
Washington, DC
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hyatt Place Washington DC/National Mall
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 65 miles throughout the day, approximately 90 minutes total riding time. Walking up to 1 mile indoors and out; urban terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will start with a field trip by motorcoach to visit the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, part of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. During our field trip, we will learn about the important role aerial reconnaissance and satellites played during Cold War from an expert as we explore the Udvar-Hazy Center’s collection of aviation and space artifacts. Afterward, we’ll have time to explore the center’s two hangars of air- and spacecraft on our own, including one-of-a-kind biplanes from the 1920s and 1930s, a Concorde, and the Space Shuttle Discovery.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we will put our skills to the test. We will be joined by former CIA officer, Charles Miller where we will learn about Spycraft and the art of disguise and then test our own skills with a spycraft activity. Grandkids and grandparents are no longer junior detectives, but could be the next international spy!
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends.
Evening:
We will wrap up our evening with another activity led by our Group Leader to put our detective skills to the test! Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
6
Program Concludes
Location:
Washington, DC
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
13 Meals
5 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
4 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Jul 17, 2025 - Jul 22, 2025
- Jun 12, 2025 - Jun 17, 2025
- Jun 26, 2025 - Jul 01, 2025
- Jul 10, 2025 - Jul 15, 2025
- Jul 17, 2025 - Jul 22, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 14 Reviews
Sort By:
My 12 year old grandson and I both thoroughly enjoyed this exciting adventure! The program was well designed and structured to appeal to kids and adults. We learned a lot, had fun and highly recommend it.
— Review left July 24, 2024
This was an amazing trip. We really learned a lot about the world of spycraft. The museums were incredible. The hotel is close enough to walk to many of the National Mall museums. And our group leaders, Ella and Leigh, were the best. They taught us so much about Washington DC. They were extremely organized, kind, patient, and caring. They enriched the program immensely. Don't think about this program,just sign up!
— Review left July 20, 2024
Very informative and interesting; wonderful opportunity to bond with my granddaughter!
— Review left July 17, 2024
outstanding program for kids and adults!
— Review left July 9, 2024
The Grandparent/Grandchild program offers a unique opportunity to spend quality educational time with your grandchild. A once in a life time experience.
— Review left July 5, 2024
A wonderful experience to share the amazing country we live in with my granddaughter.
— Review left July 3, 2024
My first Grandparent program was a HUGE success! On this program, one grandparent can bring two grandchildren, so it was perfect for me and my eleven year old twin grandsons. They were a good age for this program and Washington D.C. is the perfect place to visit together. Road Scholar provided a superb group leader, safe transportation, outstanding programing, and friendly kids and adults to share this adventure. You can be sure I'm browsing the catalog for my next Road Scholar Grandparent Program!
— Review left July 13, 2023
If you want to learn about Spying in the past and the present, and experience a special time with your grand child, this is the program for you.
— Review left July 19, 2022
This was a great program. A good way to visit our nation's capital. Went to memorials and smaller museums that were less crowded. Our trip leaders were awesome.
— Review left July 12, 2022
Absolutely loved this program. We give it 5 stars. The Spy Museum, Mt Vernon, talking w/George Washington and deciphering code were a big hit w/our girls entering 5th & 6th grades in the fall. Admittedly, they probably haven't lived long enough to fully appreciate the history behind all the monuments we saw but they will remember seeing them. (We took lots of photos w/them in front of them.) My husband and I and the girls added an additional 2 days to our trip which we highly recommend. Hearing the Marine Corps band play at the Marine's Memorial, going to the top of the WA Monument, our tour of the Capitol Bldg, eating lunch in the Capitol cafeteria, visiting the pandas at the zoo, seeing all those amazing gems at the Natural History Museum and just exploring the city on our own. Wonderful, wonderful memories.
— Review left July 10, 2022
You will be surprised at the level of espionage that has and still is going on in the world. This program will give you a new appreciation of the People that give their time and lives for our Great Nation !
— Review left September 9, 2019
If you are young or old, the pace is good, the food is good and the guides are the best. you will enjoy going on the DC Spies tour.
— Review left July 10, 2019
Our recent Road Scholar Grandparent and Grandchildren experience was wonderful. Our tour guides were the best! The pace was perfect. This was our first Road Scholar experience but it will not be the last. Thank you!
— Review left July 6, 2019
If you are intrigued by the world of spies, this tour will give you insights into how that world really operates.
— Review left July 4, 2019
