American Experience Foundation Awards Backyard Bound Field Trip

(Washington, DC) … Today the American Experience Foundation (AEF), the philanthropic arm of Destination DC, the official tourism and marketing office for Washington, DC, hosts its third Backyard Bound fieldtrip. A 501(c) (3) public charity, AEF aims to enrich the lives of low-income students through inspirational travel experiences to Washington, DC while it cultivates the next generation of hospitality industry professionals.

Twenty-eight students from Kelly Miller Middle School have been awarded a Backyard Bound field trip, a day-long cultural excursion in their hometown. Destination DC, SYTA Youth Foundation and Receptive Tours DC have partnered with hospitality leaders to provide an unforgettable trip. Hosting partners donating all services in-kind include Receptive Tours DC; Big Bus Washington, DC; Potbelly Sandwich Shop; Madame Tussauds Washington DC; International Spy Museum and Newseum. Chick-fil-A and Pinstripes offered the field trip additional support.

“Every year thousands of school-age students visit Washington, DC to connect with their history and heritage through hands-on discovery,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, president and CEO of Destination DC. “Destination DC and our partners are uniquely positioned to open doors for students, filling a need for career exposure and paths to success with inspiration and real experiences.”

“Thanks to the American Experience Foundation, these DC 8^th graders will not only take part in the classic American field trip but they will engage with area hospitality professionals,” said David Grosso, DC Councilman and chairman of the Council’s education committee. “We are grateful to Destination DC and their participating members who, by sharing their resources, expand opportunities for low-income children far beyond the classroom.”

AEF works to foster the next generation of leaders in the hospitality community by awarding $2,500 scholarships to outstanding students currently enrolled in the hospitality academy at local high schools. The scholarships are meant to further their education at a college, university, trade school or certificate program. The 2016 honorees were selected from Ballou High School and Columbia Heights Educational Campus.

In April, Destination DC received the DMAI Humanitarian Award for its work with the AEF at IMEX Frankfurt, the world’s largest annual business, incentive travel and meetings exposition.  

Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of nearly 850 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. www.washington.org

The SYTA Youth Foundation, the philanthropic division of the Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA), provides access to travel opportunities for young people that would otherwise be unavailable due to family economic hardship, budget cuts in school systems or simply lack of access to or education about travel as a learning experience. The SYTA Youth Foundation is focused on changing young lives through travel. www.sytayouthfoundation.org 

The American Experience Foundation, a 501(c) (3) public charity, hosts 8^th grade students from across the country for three-day Rite of Passage and Washington, DC students for Backyard Bound trips. All field trips are at no cost to students. AEF also awards $2,500 scholarships to DC hospitality academy graduating seniors who wish to pursue continued education toward careers in hospitality. www.americanexperiencefoundation.org

Contact: Kate Gibbs
[email protected]
202-789-7072

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