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Signature TripsSignature Trips, thoughtfully curated for each grade, are an integral part of the St. Patrick’s experience, supporting the school’s mission to develop character, advance human understanding, and promote academic excellence.
Kindergarten through Grade 8 students explore the rich learning opportunities of the Washington, D.C. area and beyond—from world-class museums to historic landmarks and immersive outdoor experiences—designed to spark curiosity, connection, and understanding beyond the classroom.

Joyful
Learning

Cultural
Curiosity

Hands-on
Experiences

Personal
Challenge


Explore Our Signature Trips by Division

From early explorations to transformative travel, each division’s trips are crafted with purpose to enrich learning, strengthen community, and support the personal growth unique to every developmental stage.

 

Lower School Signature Trips

A group of children, each holding an orange pumpkin, stand in a field with a tractor and trailer visible in the background.
Kindergarten at Butler's Orchard

Butler’s Orchard in Germantown, Maryland is a family-run farm offering seasonal pick-your-own produce, festive events, and authentic agricultural experiences.

A colorful and playful indoor play area with various interactive and engaging structures, including a large red and yellow boat-like structure, a blue and white spherical object, and other whimsical elements suspended from the ceiling.
Kindergarten at The Children's Museum

The Children’s Museum in Washington, D.C. offers hands-on, play-based exhibits that inspire curiosity, creativity, and joyful learning for young visitors.

A wooden building with a pyramidal roof stands in a grassy area surrounded by trees, with people visible outside the building and a colorful mural on the exterior wall.
Kindergarten at the Black Hill Discovery Center

The Black Hill Discovery Center in Wheaton, Maryland offers interactive nature exhibits and outdoor learning experiences that help children explore the wildlife, habitats, and natural wonders of Black Hill Regional Park.

A lush, verdant park with a crowd of people strolling amidst the vibrant greenery and blooming flowers, surrounded by towering trees and a serene atmosphere.
Grade 1 at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washtington, D.C. showcases stunning water gardens and wetlands, offering students a hands-on opportunity to explore aquatic plants, wildlife, and environmental conservation.

A group of children and adults standing together outdoors in front of a building with a covered porch, surrounded by a grassy area and other structures in the background.
Grade 1 at South Mountain Creamery

South Mountain Creamery in Middletown, Maryland provides a hands-on farm experience where students can learn about sustainable agriculture, animal care, and the process of producing fresh dairy products.

A group of young children, both boys and girls, are seated on the floor of what appears to be a studio or performance space, with colorful walls and equipment visible in the background.
Grade 1 at The Adventure Theater

Adventure Theatre in Glen Echo, Maryland educates and inspires new generations of theater artists and audiences with exceptional theatrical experiences. 

ATMTC takes the responsibility of sharing arts with young audiences very seriously, and prioritizes stories in our seasons that emphasize empathy, friendship, and determination.

A group of people, likely students, are gathered in a large room with a stained glass window in the background, engaged in what appears to be some form of physical activity or exercise.
Grade 2 at The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater offers students inspiring performances that celebrate the power of dance, storytelling, and cultural expression.

A large, skeletal dinosaur fossil structure dominates the center of the image, surrounded by other fossils and displays in what appears to be a museum or exhibition space.
Grade 2 at The Natural History Museum

The National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. invites students to explore the wonders of the natural world through engaging exhibits on dinosaurs, gems, ecosystems, and human history.

A group of people, likely a family, standing on a viewing platform overlooking a scenic waterfall surrounded by lush greenery and a clear blue sky.
Grade 2 at Riverbend Park

Riverbend Park in Great Falls, Virginia offers students hands-on outdoor learning experiences amid scenic trails, river habitats, and opportunities to explore local wildlife and natural ecosystems.

Sustainability icon
Grades 2 & 3 Sustainability Club Field Trip

A Sustainability Club Field Trip is planned to a meaningful destination chosen by the students.

A group of people standing on a wooden walkway in a lush, forested area, surrounded by trees and fallen leaves on the ground.
Grade 3 at Calleva Farm

Calleva Farm in Dickerson, Maryland provides students with hands-on agricultural experiences, from planting and harvesting crops to caring for animals, fostering a deep connection to farming and the outdoors.

A grand, ornate interior with a high, glass-roofed ceiling, featuring rows of columns, balconies, and people walking through the space.
Grade 3 at The National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. invites students to explore American history and culture through portraits of influential figures, inspiring curiosity about art and identity.

A crowded theater audience filled with people of various ages, sitting in rows and watching a performance or event on stage.
Grade 3 at the Gala Hispanic Theatre

The GALA Hispanic Theatre in Washington, D.C. offers students engaging performances that celebrate Latinx culture, language, and storytelling through theater, music, and dance.

A picturesque town with a prominent historic building, surrounded by lush greenery and a vibrant cityscape in the background, under a bright, cloudy sky.
Grade 3 in Annapolis

Annapolis, Maryland provides young students the opportunity to explore historic sites, learn about colonial history, and experience the vibrant culture of the state capital firsthand.

Upper Elementary Signature Trips

A group of children in colorful winter attire are gathered around a table, examining and discussing various items or materials in an outdoor setting with a wooden structure in the background.
Grade 4 at the Sultana Education Foundation

A field trip to the Sultana Education Foundation in Maryland helps students connect with history through immersive experiences aboard a historic schooner, fostering a deeper understanding of the Chesapeake Bay, maritime heritage, and the transatlantic slave trade.

A grand, neoclassical building with columns and banners displaying the words %22National Gallery of Art%22 in the foreground, with people walking in and out of the entrance.
Grade 4 at the National Gallery of Art

A field trip to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. offers students the opportunity to explore masterpieces from around the world, inspiring creativity, critical thinking, and an appreciation for visual arts.

A group of people, including children, standing along the shore of a lake or river, with a forested area in the background.
Grade 4 Shad Release

A student field trip to the Potomac River shad release teaches hands-on environmental stewardship, highlights the importance of local ecosystems, and provides a memorable lesson in conservation and aquatic life.

A trailer filled with various pumpkins and gourds is parked in a grassy area surrounded by trees and a tent, creating a scenic autumn display.
Grade 5 at Miller Farms

A field trip to Miller Farms in Clinton, Maryland offers students a firsthand look at farm life through seasonal produce picking, animal encounters, and engaging agricultural learning experiences.

A group of people wearing bright yellow safety vests are gathered around a large pile of what appears to be mulch or compost in an outdoor setting with mountains and trees visible in the background.
Grade 5 at Compost Facility

A field trip to a compost facility helps students understand sustainable waste practices firsthand, showing how organic materials are transformed into nutrient-rich soil while fostering environmental responsibility and real-world science learning.

The image features a vibrant, colorful wall display with large text and abstract patterns in shades of pink and turquoise, creating a visually striking and dynamic environment.
Grade 5 to Planet Word Museum

A field trip to Planet Word Museum in Washington, D.C. immerses students in interactive, playful exhibits that celebrate the power of language, reading, and expression.

A group of people wearing helmets and safety gear standing in a wooded area near a small wooden structure.
Grade 5 Overnight at Horizons Outdoor Learning Center

An overnight field trip to Horizons Outdoor Learning Center in Harrisonburg, Virginia offers students immersive, nature-based experiences that build teamwork, independence, and a deeper appreciation for the outdoors. At this site in the Shenandoah Valley, students will participate in several activities designed to foster personal growth and build peer support.

Sustainability icon
Grades 2 & 3 Sustainability Club Field Trip

A Sustainability Club Field Trip is planned to a meaningful destination chosen by the students.

Middle School Signature Trips

A group of young people, dressed in outdoor gear, standing together in a wooded area with bare trees in the background.
Grade 6 at Echo Hill Outdoor School

Our longtime partner, Echo Hill Outdoor School in Worton, Maryland, engages our students in immersive group-building experiences benefiting from their expertise in outdoor education and Chesapeake Bay studies.

A group of children, wearing colorful clothing, are working together to climb up a wooden structure in a wooded outdoor setting.
Grade 6 at Echo Hill Outdoor School

Teaching through immersive experiences in the Chesapeake environment, Echo Hill nurtures independence and confidence within students. 

A group of people seated in several small boats, surrounded by a wooded, marshy environment.
Grade 6 at Echo Hill Outdoor School

Working together with Echo Hill, students participate in a range of activities centered on personal challenge, group-building, and Bay studies.

A group of people, mostly young adults, are standing in front of a large red sculpture that appears to be the word %22Bourse%22 against the backdrop of a building with the same name.
Grade 7 to Philadelphia

A student field trip to Philadelphia offers immersive learning in American history, government, and culture, bringing subjects like the Constitution, Independence Hall, and civic responsibility to life.

A group of children are sitting inside a U.S. Air Force fighter jet display, with a cloudy blue sky and buildings visible in the background.
Grade 7 to Philadelphia

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The image shows several people standing in voting booths, with %22Vote Here%22 signs displayed prominently above them. The background appears to be a polling station or voting location.
Grade 7 to Philadelphia

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A group of people, mostly young adults, standing in front of a large concrete structure with the text %22THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE%22 inscribed on it.
Grade 8 Civil Rights Trip

A student field trip focused on civil rights in Georgia and Alabama immerses students in pivotal historical sites, deepening their understanding of social justice, empathy, and the ongoing struggle for equality.

The image shows a group of people standing in front of a large mural with various political and social justice-related slogans and imagery.
Grade 8 Civil Rights Trip

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A group of people, mostly young adults, are gathered in front of a large stone monument with the text %22The National Memorial for Peace and Justice%22 inscribed on it.
Grade 8 Civil Rights Trip

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