By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The Brandywine History Club gives students a chance to learn beyond text books. Not only do they get plenty of hands on experiences, but club members have the opportunity to take trips to different cities in the United States and learn about the history of our country.
The History Club was formed just last year and Dave Roeder, high school teacher and History Club advisor, said it has been a hit so far.
Last year, club members were able to visit Mackinaw Island and next summer, they will be taking a trip to Boston, Ma. to take part in the Boston Adventure 2008.
"We're so excited for this trip," Ashley Starr, a sophomore at Brandywine High School said. "The Haunted Trail in Salem is something I cannot wait for."
Chelsea Coveyou said she is excited for "a Red Sox game."
In order to attend, students must hold a number of different fund raisers, as the trip is costing $600 per student. This Saturday, the club is holding a Port-A-Pit chicken dinner from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Niles Inn and Conference Center.
Tickets for the dinner can be purchased in advance, or you may purchase a dinner the day of the event.
The three have already started raising money for the trip, but admitted they have a long way to go.
"I'm just glad we still have a lot of time. So far I've raised $97," Starr said.
Chamberlain has raised $160 just on Port-A-Pit tickets alone. The students are hoping this weekend will be a success and they can raise even more.
"The History Club is something I really enjoy," Starr said. "It's something you sign up for and we all get together whenever we can out of school. We have movie nights, go to Buffalo Wild Wings in Indiana for Trivia Night, we're planning on going to Medieval Times, it's really a lot of fun and you learn a lot."
For the Boston Adventure trip, students will be spending five days in June with jam-packed site seeing schedules. Some of the stops on the trip will include the Salem Witch Museum, which presents one of the most tragic and emotional events in American history.
Also, the Mayflower II, a replica of the Mayflower ship that carried the pilgrims to the New World in 1620.
Students will be traveling by a chartered motorcoach as it will take approximately 15 hours to get to Boston.