MBS Announces Global Trips for 2023

MBS is pleased to announce the following exciting trips for 2023 through its Global Studies initiative: Hawaii, Sicily, a Habitat For Humanity service trip, a girls lacrosse spring training trip to Florida, and a service trip to the Dominican Republic.

Please note that these trips will be open to Upper School students only. Sign-ups are done in person with the lead chaperone by Monday, May 23. For the girls lacrosse trip, students must see Coach Grant in person by Wednesday, May 25 at 3 p.m.

Hawaii (Geology & Culture) — March 12-21, 2023

Morristown Beard School returns to Hawaii for a fourth time to learn about the geology and culture of the Hawaiian Islands in an experiential, place-based trip. Students will learn about the volcanic formation of the islands and will sleep on top of the active volcano Kilauea within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. They will visit black, green, and white sand beaches, some of the most beautiful ones in the world. They will also have an opportunity to take surfing lessons in Kona and snorkel on the fringing coral reefs of the Big Island of Hawaii. 

Please note that this will not be a beach resort vacation. The students will be very active and should be comfortable hiking in remote areas, exploring caves and swimming in the ocean. Some of the beaches require a 2-hour hike or a step descent/ascent to get to the beach. We will also be hiking extensively within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Contact: Brad Turner 

Sicily — March 11-18, 2023

Upper School students are invited to join us as we visit Sicily, a land where man-made and natural wonders are equally apt to amaze. We will relive ancient history as we tour Roman and Greek ruins in cities like Palermo and Taormina. Nature takes center stage on our excursion to Mt. Etna, one of the world's most active volcanoes and an awe-inspiring sight at 11,014 feet tall. 

Sicily's hospitable people and delectable cuisine are perhaps the most important part of this experience. We will be immersed in those aspects of Sicilian culture as we do walking tours of various cities, visit a market in Palermo, and enjoy a wonderful farm lunch at Leano Agriresort.

Contact: Jen Laviola or Michael McGrann

Habitat for Humanity Trip — Dates TBD

Morristown Beard School has been partnering with Habitat For Humanity International for more than 25 years. Join us as we build houses and spend part of spring break giving back. In recent years, we have volunteered with Habitat For Humanity in Alabama, Palm Beach County, and Dade City, Florida. If you are 16 and older at the time of the trip, and are looking for an opportunity to volunteer with your MBS classmates, then be prepared for this incredible experience you will never forget.

Contact:  Andrea Deventer

Girls Lacrosse Spring Break Trip to Clearwater, Florida — March 22-27, 2023

This spring, members of our MBS girls lacrosse program will be heading to Clearwater, Florida to enjoy a week of fun, sun, and scrimmages on Florida’s Gulf Coast.  We are partnering with Spring Break Lax to provide our players and coaches with first-rate hotel accommodations, beautiful practice and game facilities, and plenty of opportunities to bond as a team in a relaxed atmosphere.

Contact:  Head Coach Maria Grant

Service Trip to Dominican Republic — June 20-26, 2023

For years, MBS has been committed to providing service opportunities in the summer months for our students. This year, we will do so in the Dominican Republic, an island that is famous for its beautiful white sand beaches and has a reputation for having some of the friendliest people you’ll meet.

Leaving behind the typical resorts and tourist destinations, we will travel deep into the heart of the country to the underserved communities of predominantly Haitian sugarcane workers, where we will work on projects including infrastructure rehabilitation, health initiatives, and education projects with local children.

We will spend evenings getting to know the community, music, local cuisine, and history. We will also find time to visit the nearby town of Juan Dolio to spend a morning relaxing at the beach and take time after service to play pickup games of baseball with the local kids or share a coffee or a meal with neighbors.

Contact:  Andrea Deventer 

 

Important Registration Information for All Trips:

These trips will be open to Upper School students only. Sign-ups are done in person with the lead chaperone by Monday, May 23. For the girls lacrosse trip, students must see Coach Grant in person by Wednesday, May 25 at 3 p.m.

·      Seniors, juniors and Global Citizen Concentration students will have top priority.

·      Sophomores and freshmen will be selected via a lottery.

·      Once the list has been compiled and approved by the Director of Global Studies, the trip leader will contact you with instructions on how to enroll either electronically or manually.

·      All selected participants must register and pay a $300 non-refundable deposit by Friday, June 3 in order to be part of the trip.

·      Financial assistance is available for anyone who is interested in traveling. Please contact Director of Admission and Financial Aid Meg Ahern (mahern@mbs.net).

Requirements Needed to Participate:

·       All participants must be fully-vaccinated and up-to-date on their boosters for COVID-19.

·       All participants must be in good academic standing in order to be eligible to participate in any of the trips.

·      All forms must be signed and notarized by a specific date.

In addition to these cultural, curricular and service trips, Morristown-Beard School also partners with numerous outside vendors offering juniors and seniors an opportunity to study abroad for a semester, a year, or a summer. MBS has also worked with reputable organizations to offer international students an opportunity to study abroad. If you have questions, please contact MBS Director of Global Studies Aline M. de la Torre-McCloskey at adelatorre@mbs.net