Welcoming Back School Groups: Fifth Graders Explore the White House

This fall, three schools in our Buddy Bison program were welcomed by National Park Trust staff, Park Rangers, and NPS volunteers to the White House. It was the first time that NPS hosted school groups since COVID-19. Fifth graders from John Lewis Elementary, Saint Francis Xavier Academy, and Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School – East End and Brookland campuses, experienced one of the world’s most famous buildings, the only private residence of a head of state that is open to the public free of charge.

Once at the White House, the excitement grew as students stepped into the East Wing and began to hear about the legacy of previous presidents as they viewed their portraits and saw the different rooms and artifacts in the White House. They even pretended to face a national press audience as they stood where the presidential podium is placed in the East Room and took turns stating what their own legacy could be. The students had many questions: one of the most popular stories they talked about was when the British burned the White House in 1814!

After the tour, students visited the White House Visitor Center, completed several activities in their Junior Ranger book, and were sworn in as Junior Rangers. It was a memorable day for both students and teachers!