Students today are coming of age in an era of rapid technological change, constant connectivity, and increasing global complexity. And in such an interconnected and complex world, it’s become clear that education needs to reach beyond rote memorization of facts and figures. Schools and educators everywhere need to not only prepare students for academic success but also cultivate empathy, resilience, and a strong sense of responsibility to their communities.
At The Seven Hills School (CA), we meet this challenge with a thoughtfully designed experiential education and travel program. Our school’s mission to develop intellect, engage the spirit, and foster respect and responsibility for the world comes alive through this program. More than a series of field trips, it’s a developmental journey––an intentional curriculum that guides students from basic self-awareness to becoming thoughtful stewards and global citizens.
The philosophical core of this program is a curriculum built on four key pillars: personal responsibility, self-awareness and self-regulation, situational and cultural awareness, and stewardship. Each trip and educational experience is designed to broaden a student’s understanding of these themes, building on the skills and perspectives gained previously. The journey begins locally and expands gradually, reflecting a child's natural progression from self-awareness to a broader understanding of their place in the world.
The Foundational Circles
The program starts in the earliest years with experiential learning in the immediate community. Young learners embark on a journey of self-discovery through a curriculum shaped by essential questions––Who am I? Who is in my community? How does my community support me? How do I support my community?––which come to life through hands-on, local adventures. Students explore new spots on campus like the koi pond, the library, and our local park and gradually venture out to local places like fire and police stations, museums, and the zoo, gaining a deeper understanding of the roles and contributions within their community.
These seemingly simple outings are foundational. In these moments, a child learns to zip up their own backpack, remember the jacket they brought, and listen closely so the group can move together. They begin to recognize how their actions affect others, realizing they are part of a team and a community.
This foundation strengthens as students progress to the upper elementary grades. In fourth grade, students take their first step beyond the immediate community with a two-night local trip. For many, it is their first time away from home—a pivotal milestone and powerful opportunity to practice independence and responsibility. Students are accountable for their packing, schedules, and behavior as members of a traveling group. This initial overnight experience gently but firmly encourages greater maturity and self-reliance.
Expanding Horizons
The stakes—and the skills required—rise significantly in grades five and six. In fifth grade, students embark on a week-long trip to Yosemite National Park, where the breathtaking natural beauty of the Sierra Nevadas becomes their classroom. Immersed in nature, they learn about geology, ecology, and the importance of conservation. The trip is a rigorous test of their emerging sense of personal responsibility and stewardship.
We remind students throughout the trip to “leave it better than you found it.” They are responsible for keeping track of their gear, staying prepared for scheduled activities, and working together—hauling supplies, navigating rocky trails, and supporting each other in a setting that can challenge body and spirit. This experience is a powerful lesson in adapting to a new setting and understanding the impact they have on the environment around them.
The journey continues in the sixth grade with another week-long excursion to mountain regions such as Tahoe or Malibu Creek. Building on the skills developed in Yosemite, students navigate more complex group dynamics and personal challenges that foster self-awareness and self-regulation. Removed from their usual comforts, students are encouraged to discover their strengths and limitations, manage their emotions, and collaborate effectively. The mantra that “There’s no I in teamwork” becomes central as they rely on each other to overcome obstacles and complete group tasks.
Stepping onto the World Stage
The journey for Seven Hills students reaches new heights in seventh grade as they travel to Washington, D.C., for a six-day, five-night immersion in the nation’s historical and political heart. Here, learning shifts from the natural world to the civic stage, with visits to monuments, museums, and the halls of power. Students are challenged to see themselves not just as individuals, but as representatives of their country. This experience hones their situational and cultural awareness, teaching them how to behave in public spaces and deepening their appreciation for the rich, complex history of the United States.
In eighth grade, students travel to Ashland, Oregon, to attend the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival. This experience is a deep dive into the arts and another layer of cultural immersion. They attend plays, meet actors, and engage in workshops, expanding their understanding of storytelling and artistic expression. It’s a powerful final domestic trip that celebrates creativity and collaboration, setting the stage for even more profound journeys ahead.
The two international trips we offer to seventh and eighth graders––which have 95% participation––are truly integral to the school’s mission. Seventh graders embark on a 10-day journey through the European battlefields of World War II, visiting significant sites in Paris, Normandy, Bastogne, and Munich. This trip is a powerful exercise in situational and cultural awareness, as well as stewardship.
Students walk the beaches of Normandy and through the American cemeteries there. They also visit Bastogne, where the Battle of the Bulge was fought. This part of the trip fosters a sense of pride and connection to the Allies’ role in history. Yet, the itinerary is deliberately balanced with a visit to Dachau, a former concentration camp outside of Munich. It’s a humbling and sobering experience that forces students to confront a different, more challenging aspect of human history. The contrast is intentional: Where students might feel pride in Normandy and Bastogne, they become observers of great tragedy in Dachau. This dual perspective is a critical lesson in empathy and the complex nature of global conflict. It challenges them to consider different narratives and move beyond a singular, nationalistic viewpoint.
The program culminates in eighth grade with a trip to Japan. The experience begins in the fall, as students host Japanese exchange students in their homes, a powerful lesson in hospitality and cultural exchange. In February, they travel to Japan for 12 nights, including a week-long homestay in Tokyo, three nights in Kyoto, and a day trip to Hiroshima. Staying with a Japanese family offers the most direct and personal form of cultural immersion, as students experience daily life from a new perspective. The visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is especially poignant, confronting students with the devastation of the atomic bomb, a moment in history where Americans are not the heroes. This difficult truth encapsulates the program’s ultimate goal: preparing students to engage with history and the world from a perspective other than their own.
The Enduring Impact
“What I’ll remember most is immersing myself in the foods, traditions, and daily rhythms of each place we visited,” says a student from the class of 2024. “Living with Yusei and his family in Japan gave me a window into a way of life completely different from my own. These experiences opened my eyes to how many perspectives and cultures shape our world.”
Ultimately, the experiential education program brings the school's mission to life—cultivating thoughtful humans who are prepared to make a positive, lasting impact on the world. Through these carefully orchestrated experiences, students discover that the most meaningful lessons are often found not in textbooks, but in the world beyond the classroom walls. These foundational moments are the ones they remember for life.