The 2010 California Literature Experience Field Trip

June 3-6th

One of the wonderful opportunities and privileges for California Literature students is our field trip through California’s central coast allowing students to become exposed to the people and places that define our rich state in a variety of ways and give tangible reality to our literary and interdisciplinary experience.  Students will explore Cal State San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo’s famous farmer’s market, The National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, Earthbound Organic Farms in the beautiful Carmel Valley, the historic city of Monterey, Carmel’s 17 mile drive, Los Lobos State Park, and Hearst Castle in San Simeon. In addition to exploration of these places, students will also receive college level lectures by professors at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and Cal State San Jose on issues related to California’s popular culture, history, and literature. The field trip will take place over four days during the spring semester and will allow students the opportunity to connect what they have studied to their own personal experiences.

Participation Requirements:

To clearly reiterate, this trip is truly a pleasure.  Due to the high enrollment in this year’s California Literature sections, there is limited space for the trip. In order to attend you must earn at least a C grade (minimum of 70%) at the end of the first semester and be receiving a C grade at the time of the field trip (approximately the end of the first grading period in the second semester). No student will be allowed to attend the field trip if he or she is on academic probation at the time of the trip, regardless of grade being earned at that time.  It is our pleasure to offer this trip to our students; as it provides for a true form of experiential learning and exposure to the beauty and richness of our state.

Cost and Due Dates:

The cost of the trip per student is $550.  The first deposit of $100 will be due Jan. 11^th, 2010. All checks are made payable to Santa Monica High School with CA Lit. in the memo.  Be sure to include your name and student ID of the check. Because of contractual agreements with hotels, museums and vendors, no money will be refunded after May 10^th, 2010. 

Payment Dates:                                                           

Jan. 11^th: $100

Feb. 8^th: $150

Mar. 8^th: $150

Apr. 12^th: $150 (final payment)

Fundraising and Financial Assistance:

Our goal is for all students to be interested in such an experience and to truly understand the value of the trip as one of the culminating experiences of the year. Therefore, we will do our best to support students who have a vested interest in participating. Various fundraisers will take place over the course of the year to help students who need support. It is our expectation that all students in our California Literature Community participate in these events.