Prince William County School Field Trips Canceled Because of Government Shutdown

The government shutdown has a group of Stonewall Middle School students stuck inside their classrooms this week instead of trekking off into the woods for a three-day educational field trip. 

A troop of Stonewall Middle School students were scheduled to begin their three-day, two-night field trip at Prince William National Park today, but because it is a federal park it was impacted by the shutdown and the trip was canceled, school officials said. 
  Some national parks were able to reopen this week thanks to donations from states, but Prince William isn't one of them, according to the National Park Service website. 

Geri Capitan said her daughter Kristin, a seventh grade pre-International Baccalaureate student was selected to go on the trip with her science class as part of the National Bridge Program.  
" ... A three day field trip during the school week is a very unique opportunity and one that will probably never be duplicated. What a shame these kids have to suffer and miss out on this invaluable experience," Capitan said. 
 The field trip is something several other middle school students attend, as it is a great, hands-on learning experience, said Phil Kavits spokesman for Prince William County Public Schools.  
Because of its educational value, the trip will likely be rescheduled for the spring, he added. 
Stonewall Middle School was forced to cancel another field trip this year because of the shutdown, Kavits said.  A group of students were scheduled to take a science field trip to Manassas National Battlefield Park to learn about the wetlands. 
" .. The pacing of the class makes it uncertain that the wetlands trip can be rescheduled," he said. 

Have schools in your area had to cancel field trips because of the shutdown? Tell us about it in the comments.