Our Nation’s Birthplace: Philadelphia With Your Family

Program Registration: 4:00 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: 4:30 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 Family program. Adult participants are responsible for their children at all times. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Minors are never to be left unsupervised. Our experienced and knowledgeable Group Leader will also serve as our Study Leader, presenting lectures and conducting field trips. + local experts. Program-related travel and transfers will be by private bus unless otherwise specified. We will have meals in the hotel dining room and local restaurants. 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/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Either at the hotel or at a nearby restaurant.

This evening we will gather to get to know one another. We will have an interactive family activity about Philadelphia, led by a Revolutionary War expert.

At the hotel.

We will board a motorcoach and ride ten blocks to the Colonial City, America’s most historic square mile, for a field trip to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, led by the Group Leader. These national treasures are icons of American democracy. The old cracked bell still proclaims “Liberty” and Independence Hall echoes the words “We the People.” This was Benjamin Franklin’s Philadelphia, and we’ll learn about history and America’s continuing struggle to fulfill the Founders’ Declaration that “all men are created equal.” We’ll then walk to the Museum of the American Revolution.

Lunch vouchers will be provided at the Museum of the American Revolution.

Next, we’ll explore Museum of the American Revolution, led first by an expert before we look around on our own. It has an impressive collection of several thousand objects, works of art, manuscripts, and printed works from the period of the American Revolution. The collection began more than a century ago when a history-minded minister in Valley Forge raised funds from around the country to purchase the original tent that George Washington used as his command center during the American Revolution. It was the beginning of a rich and diverse collection that continues to grow. There are objects that span the scope of the war: from British, French, and American arms used in battles to a soldier’s wooden canteen branded “UStates,” at a time when the phrase was merely an aspiration. We’ll return to the hotel after our field trip with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

“Ben Franklin” has returned (in the person of a costumed interpreter) and hasn’t aged a day! Old Ben will join us for dinner to tell us about his childhood and accomplishments as a grown-up.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We will set out via motorcoach for a field trip to explore Old City highlights including Elfreth’s Alley, the Betsy Ross house, and Franklin Court, led by the Group Leader and local experts. Elfreth’s Alley is a residential street that spans 300 years of history. It celebrates working people who helped build America and today is home to artists, artisans, educators, entrepreneurs and more. Betsy Ross made our first national flag... or did she? At the Betsy Ross House, we’ll learn about the tradition that George Washington visited this Philadelphia seamstress in 1776 and asked her to make the flag from a design he gave her. And we’ll see “Betsy” herself! Franklin Court was the site of Benjamin Franklin’s handsome brick home while he served in the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. This is where Franklin died in 1790. About 20 years after his death, the house was torn down. Today, part of the National Park Service, the site contains a steel “ghost structure” outlining the spot where the house stood and features the Benjamin Franklin Museum. From the National Park Service: “The museum features artifacts, computer animations, and interactive displays. The exhibits are geared toward visitors of all ages, with displays that are educational, challenging, and fun.” The Franklin Court complex also includes a working reproduction of an 18th century printing office, an architectural/archeological exhibit, and an operating post office. After the field trip, we’ll head to Spruce Street Harbor Park.

At Spruce Street Harbor Park, we’ll have box lunches.

For this self-directed field trip, we will explore the Spruce Street Harbor Park. Named one of the best places to visit in Philadelphia by national press, it features colorful hammocks, floating gardens, beautiful lights, refreshing craft beer, and food from popular Philly restaurants, making it a summer gathering space for locals and visitors alike. We will depart Spruce Street Park and family walking tour "Children of the Revolution". Returning to the hotel with an hour to relax before dinner.

At a local restaurant.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We will ride to the Franklin Institute, founded in 1824, to self-explore this outstanding science museum with wonderful hands-on exhibits. We’ll see a science experiment, The Amazing Machine, the Franklin Sports Exhibit, the Giant Heart where we will walk inside a two-story model, and more. The remainder of the day will be free so that we can explore Philly as we like.

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.

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.

On your own to enjoy the local foods of your choice. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

At leisure. You might like to independently take in a movie, attend a performance of theater or music, spend time with new Road Scholar friends, or just relax.

At the hotel.

We will ride to Rittenhouse Town for a special interpretive experience that teaches about life in an early American village. Led by an expert, we’ll learn to use early techniques to make paper just like William Rittenhouse, British North America’s first papermaker. This is a great way to learn about Rittenhouse Town’s contributions to American society as well as the importance of early American occupations and resources. We’ll be able to take our paper with us when we leave. We’ll also learn about 18th century life through a kid’s eyes — clothing, games, and chores — that would have been to Rittenhouse children more than 250 years ago.

At Rittenhouse Town, we’ll have box lunches.

Next, we’ll reboard the motorcoach and ride to Valley Forge National Park. This is where the Continental Army camped during the winter of 1777-1778. We’ll learn what happened through the eyes of a revolutionary soldier — a local expert in traditional attire — who will be our “time traveler.” Returning to the hotel, we’ll have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

At a local restaurant.

We will ride to Franklin Square where kids will have an opportunity to play a round of miniature golf and/or ride a carousel. Returning to the hotel, prepare for check-out and departure after our last field trip in the morning.

At the hotel.

This morning we venture out to Philadelphia's first aerial adventure park. This zip-lining course is situated on Philadelphia's largest city park, Fairmount Park. You and your family will challenge your physical and mental ability as you maneuver from tree to tree through obstacles and zip-lines. Our guide will get everyone equipped, teach you how to operate your equipment and provide you with a testing of your equipment before you go on your own. Once you have an understanding of how to use the equipment, you will be able to swing through each course as many times as you want for 2 or more hours. We will provide water and healthy snacks for all to have when it’s time to take a break. You have the choice to remain at TreeTop Quest as long as you wish. A bus will bring anyone who wishes back to the hotel at 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 Noon. This concludes our program. 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!