Middle School Class Trips

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8th Grade Washington, D.C. Album
7tn Grade Savannah Trip Album
Middle School Home Team Album
6th Grade Huntsville Trip Album

8th Grade Washington, D.C. Blog - Final Day
We've finally made it back to the great state of Georgia! Waiting at our gate and getting through the airport put us back at the school at 10:45, so we had a really full and long day!

After breakfast, we went to the Smithsonians for the day. Everyone broke into their groups and went to different museums, but we mostly hit the American History, Natural History, and the Air and Space, taking a break for lunch at the cafes inside the museums. Before we left, some groups tried to get in some things they missed throughout the week. One group went by the Pentagon, while another tried to go to the National Archives, but the line was barely moving (the worst Mr. McElhannon had ever seen!). And of course, we had some girls that went to Georgetown Cupcakes, home of the TLC show "DC Cupcakes". We met back at the hotel in the late afternoon and made our journey to an through the airport, grabbing dinner before we boarded up.

This was an amazing trip and I could not be more proud of our students and chaperones. A major shout-out is needed to our teachers and parent chaperones from the trip for all their time and energy they put in. I know we're all sore, tired and glad to be home, but this trip would not have happened without them and for that I am beyond grateful. Thanks for your prayers and for keeping up with us!

~ Nathan Wright

6th Grade Huntsville Blog - Day 1
The 6th graders are having a "blast" in Huntsville! The day was filled with learning all about space - from making paper rockets, to experiencing blast-off in a simulator, rock climbing, viewing an iMax movie on space junk, and feeling what G-force and zero gravity are like. After a great night of sleep, the kids are ready to shoot off their paper rockets and enjoy another fun day together.
~ Carol Coleman

8th Grade Washington, D.C. Blog - Day 4
Today was our missions part of the trip and we split up into 4 different groups throughout the day to serve the DC community. One group went to do some cleaning, painting and organizing for a property that National Community Church owns. The other group went to the Southeast White House and split up from there to go to a local church and elderly woman's home to do some yardwork, cleaning and organizing. The Southeast White House is known for being present in changing the DC community. We took a break for a Chick-fil-A boxed lunch, but the students worked so hard and really made a difference. We served the leadership to free them up the to serve the community more by helping clean and organize, doing things they would not have much time to do.

We not only worked hard, but did the work well! And we even finished early! While one group went to a Smithsonian, most of us changed clothes and grabbed a quick shower to go to our early dinner at the Hard Rock. It was much more than a good meal, but a lot of fun with some great photo opps! We stopped by Ford's Theater and then went back to Pentagon City Mall for dinner and some shopping. We ended the night discussing the day and hearing a devotion from Mrs. Baker.

We challenged the students to finish this trip well, branching out, and carrying the name of Jesus well. Tomorrow we'll go to the Smithsonians and then head home. Only one more day!

~ Nathan Wright

7th Grade Savannah Trip Blog - Day 2
7th grade had an amazing day in Savannah!  The weather was beautiful, the students were fabulous, and we all have memories that will last a lifetime! We started the morning with a delicious breakfast.  We enjoyed everything from cereal and pastries to steaming, hot waffles. With full stomachs, we headed to River Street. Divided into travel groups, we worked on our scavenger hunt of facts, took pictures, and of course, there was lots of shopping.  The most popular store on the street was the Savannah Candy Kitchen.  The sweet smell of freshly made chocolate filled the air and students were seen leaving the store with bags of sweet treats.  Thankfully, we had lots of walking to burn off the extra sugar. 

For lunch, we enjoyed sub sandwiches, chips, and cookies as we floated on the River Street Riverboat Cruise.  After lunch, we enjoyed the view from the second and third decks. The sun was shining with the perfect balance of a breeze to keep us comfortable.  The view of Savannah from the water was incredible and the captain shared lots of interesting facts throughout the cruise.   After returning to the docks, we had a little time to visit a few more shops before heading to the Savannah History Museum.   We picked up a few more new facts about Savannah and then enjoyed some free time on a grassy lawn near a small fort.  Students could be seen playing games, running, or just hanging out and chatting.  We then moved on to a tour of the Roundhouse Railroad Museum.  For over 100 years, this facility served as the major repair location for the Central of Georgia Railway. It is packed full of rich history and neat exhibits. After the Railroad Museum, we took another walk as one big group through a different portion of the historic district.  Wearing our blue retreat shirts as a group of 81, we attracted a lot of attention walking through the streets of Savannah.

For dinner we enjoyed pizza served by the chaperones.  Following dinner, we spent an hour preparing the blessing bags to take to the Old Savannah City Mission tomorrow.  Each student decorated and wrote a Bible verse on two bags, then they filled these bags with shampoo, conditioner, soap, hand sanitizer, deodorant, crackers, hard candy, tissues, tooth brush, toothpaste, combs and other miscellaneous items.  Upon completion of the 150 bags, we took time to pray for the people who would be receiving them some day.  We pray that God will use these bags to be a blessing in their lives and that it may encourage them and point them to Christ!  What a neat privilege and opportunity we have to make a difference in someone’s life!  Now we are back at our hotel, very tired, but enjoying the down time with each other.  The students are having a fabulous time and representing NCCS well.  We have received several positive comments from the other guests in the hotel. We are excited to deliver our blessing bags tomorrow before heading home.

~Wendy Titus

Middle School Home Team - Thursday, March 29
Mrs. Beverly and Mrs. Kelley said over and over today, "if we only had a video"  of the ministry extended by the 6th, 7th and 8th grade students today at the Sanctuary Assisted Living. As they read the Word and prayed "by name" for each resident that was visited room by room - the purpose of our school's mission became an even greater reality as we experienced the kids  "living" their faith. Reily Martin prayed for Mr. and Mrs. Haggerty, a young couple celebrating 65 years of marriage. We prayed especially for Mary Haggerty as she travels daily for dialysis.  Joe, only 54, is in a wheel chair and suffers from exreme dementia, but as Kaily read "nothing can separate us from the love of Christ" - his face displayed hope and radiated with assurance.  Over and over the students offered genuine concern to many who never have a visitor or a listening ear. The kids were an amazing testimony  - - - parents, thank you for the blessing you gave us today, and everyday, by having the opportunity of teaching your young people! 

~ Harriette Corbett

8th Grade Washington, D.C. Blog - Day 3
We headed out early for a scheduled tour at the White House and enjoyed the chance to see this landmark in person. Afterwards, we took 2 group pictures and then our day became that of "Choose Your Own Adventure", with each group choosing what they wanted to use this time for. I went with several groups on a tour of the memorials: Vietnam, Lincoln, Korean War, World War 2, and Washington. The weather was awesome and the students got some great pictures for their scrapbooks. At the Washington Monument, several guys raced piggyback style down the hill and the chaperones stood in awe of where their energy came from.

We had lunch at the Ronald Reagan building with everyone together and then continued to the Air and Space Smithsonian museum which the students enjoyed. After a stop by the hotel to change out of "chapel dress", we had dinner and headed to the Spy Museum. This was definitely a highlight and by the line at their gift shop, many of you can look forward to seeing items from there when we return! Our groups then headed to the hotel, some via a pitstop for ice cream. Carrie Anderson shared a devotion on the power of words and how we should strive to encourage others any chance we get. It was then off to our rooms for rest as we prepare for Day 4 of our amazing trip!

~ Jeff Jackson

7th Grade Savannah Trip Blog - Day 1
71 students, 10 chaperones, and 2 bus drivers arrived at NCCS bright and early this morning to begin their exciting trip to Savannah.  All of the luggage was quickly loaded, goodbyes were exchanged, and the students grabbed a seat on our comfy luxury buses.  After two rest stops and five hours later, we pulled into the historical city of Savannah.  

We enjoyed a quick picnic lunch at Fort Pulaski while many of the students ran around stretching their legs. After lunch, we split into two groups to divide and conquer the amazing activities planned.  One group stayed at Fort Pulaski where students learned about the design and structure of masonry forts.  It is amazing to think that the fort took 15 years to build; however, in one quick battle the Union army used superior rifle cannon to quickly overtake the fort in two short days.  We had the opportunity to explore the Fort and take in a breathtaking view of the coast. While one group stayed at the Fort, the other group headed to Tybee Island Marine Beach.  The highlight was taking off our shoes and walking barefoot along the coast learning about the amazing creatures God created.  Our guide asked the students a question about how the rocks were formed along the shoreline.  They were quick to respond that God created them.  That was ultimately the right answer; however, she was looking for what brought them to the shoreline.  It is great to see our students thinking from a Biblical Worldview perspective.  The tour along the coast was interactive and hands on as we found crabs, jellyfish, and shrimp holes. We also had time to walk around the small aquarium.  This included a touch tank as well as a few unique fish and turtles.  Many of us thought the lion fish was the most unique even though it is not native to the area.  It is hard to believe that something so beautiful is so dangerous.  

After both groups spent time in each location, we headed to the Historic District.  Some of us had the opportunity to walk through the Colonial Park Cemetery as we headed towards River Street.  The students were full of energy and enjoying the fellowship of hanging out together as we walked.  A delicious Mexican feast was prepared for us at One-Eyed Lizzy's.  You can imagine the looks of the people on the street as 81 bright orange shirts ascended on this little restaurant.  Thankfully, there was huge back room that was perfect for these hungry students.  With stomachs full, we headed out to our hotel.  After settling in our rooms, the students were ready to cool off with a quick swim in the pool.  Water was flying everywhere and you could hear laughter throughout the building.  Now everyone is quietly resting in their rooms and winding down for a good nights sleep.  We will need the rest because tomorrow will be a full day of adventure as we head out to the Historic District bright and early!

~ Wendy Titus

Middle School Home Team Update:
The 8th grade team "hit the ground' running on Monday and we have not slowed down for a minute - except for pizza and ice cream sundaes!  Monday, we were off to the Marietta History Musuem where we experienced the emotions of Andrew's Raiders the night before their clandestine attempt to capture "The General" locomotive for the cause of the North during the Civil War.  The students also learned the meaning of "sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite" as they saw the straw mattresses of the "yanks" and "rebs" that housed the nasty critters that would bite during the night.  Our visit at the Holocaust Museum reminded us of the treacherous effects on a nation, when men fail to "think" (an attribute which Hitler voiced openly to terminate) and allow evil to veil truth. Taking a virtual tour of the Mall and the monuments in D.C. and presenting power points of those monuments concluded the events of the 8th grade just before the 7th graders joined us on Wednesday.  An 11 month old baby gorilla was only one of the highlights at the Atlanta Zoo and the reality of a nation at war was the vivid picture painted at the Cyclorama. As the 6th grade join us on Thursday, they will assist in taking miniature Easter Baskets (which the 8th grade team made themselves) to the Seniors at the Sanctuary of North Star Church - - - but we are saving room for Chick Filet and Menchee's!  And Friday  - - - Tellus Museum, look out, here we come!  Wow! - - - what a blessing this week has been!

~ Harriette Corbett

Washington, D.C. Trip Blog - Day 2

We started our morning with made-to-order omelets, which is a tradition we hope continues when we return! We then headed out for an exciting day! Our first stop was the US Capitol where we had a guided tour and then we immediately went for a guided tour of the Library of Congress. After the tour, we grabbed lunch and headed for the Holocaust Museum. We spent two hours in this very real and powerful museum and everyone enjoyed the attention to detail that went in to the design.

We left the museum for a walk around the Tidal Basin where our students enjoyed seeing the Jefferson, FDR, and MLK memorials. The weather has been awesome and we are grateful. We had dinner and then returned to our hotel for a time of devotion where I talked about prayer and the act of asking God for specific things. We finished with some free time - the students had a blast hanging out with each other!

We have had a great day and look forward to another exciting day tomorrow - first stop is The White House!

~ Jeff Jackson

Washington, D.C. Trip Blog - Day 1

Our first day in DC is in the books and the 8th graders are tucked away in their rooms with their chaperones. It's hard to believe the day started off with that early morning bus ride to the airport from NCCS...it feels like ages ago!

Once we all got checked in and through security at the airport, we grabbed breakfast and I was surprised at how many 8th graders went for some kind of cold coffee drink! But the extra energy would come in use later!

When we arrived in DC we got on the Metro and had a few students quickly learn the importance of staying with their group and getting on and off at the right stops! Since then, we've been perfect riders!

We dropped off our luggage at our hotel, ate at the Pentagon City Mall Food Court and then set off for Arlington Cemetery. Our own Mr. McElhannon gave us a tour of a few spots that included John F. Kennedy's gravesite, the Eternal Flame, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a changing of the guard ceremony, General Lee's house and some various monuments.

We rode the Metro back to the hotel, got settled in our rooms and then watched National Treasure and ate pizza. Afterwards at our team meeting, Mr. McElhannon shared a devotion about how serving others comes by first seeing them and thinking of them first.

It's been a great day and we can't wait for what tomorrow has in store!

~ Nathan Wright

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We are very excited about our 2012 Middle School Class Trips and the opportunity that this will be for our students to enrich their education by taking a field trip and doing a mission project.  Please click on the location to download the trip packet.  You can click on the leader's name to contact them directly for more information or to answer any questions you might have about the middle school class trips.

6th Grade - Hunstville Space and Rocket Center
Leader: Carol Coleman

7th Grade -Savannah, Georgia
Leader: Amanda Ledbetter

8th Grade -Washington, D.C.
Leader: Nathan Wright