DC Hospitality and Tourism Leadership, SYTA Youth Foundation and Cash for Kids Host 30 Pittsburgh-Area Students for Three-Day DC Trip, February 26-29, 2016
(Washington, DC) … The American Experience Foundation (AEF), the philanthropic arm of Destination DC, the SYTA Youth Foundation (SYF) and the official tourism and marketing office for Washington, DC, hosts the second annual DC Rite of Passage fieldtrip, Friday, February 26-29, 2016. 30 middle school students from greater Pittsburgh, PA who actively participate in Cash for Kids, the 501(c)(3) founded by WNBA player Swin Cash, have been awarded the 2nd annual Rite of Passage trip, a four-day, three-night excursion to the nation’s capital to experience the city’s stirring sites and attractions. The American Experience Foundation, Destination DC’s 501(c)(3) public charity, enriches the lives of low-income students through inspirational travel experiences to Washington, DC and cultivates the next generation of hospitality industry professionals.
Destination DC and the Student & Youth Travel Association have partnered with hospitality leaders to provide an unforgettable trip with an in-kind value of +$30,000. The itinerary was developed by Mid-Atlantic Receptive Services and the SYTA Youth Foundation. The Hilton Crystal City will provide rooms and breakfast for the students and chaperones throughout the trip. Hosting partners include Big Bus; Buca di Beppo; Crescent Hotels & Resorts; Entertainment Cruises; George Washington’s Mount Vernon; Gunther Charters, Inc.; Hard Rock Café; Hilton Crystal City; International Spy Museum; Mid Atlantic Receptive Services; Newseum; Night Owls; Pinstripes and U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. The AEF receives additional support from American Airlines; Big Bus; International Spy Museum, Madame Tussauds, Washington Auto Show, Venable Foundation, Citi Open, and CityPASS.
“Every year Washington, DC is visited by thousands of school-age Americas who connect with their history through hands-on discovery in the nation’s capital. On behalf of the American Experience Foundation, we are proud to award the second annual DC Rite of Passage field trip, said Elliott L. Ferguson, president and CEO of Destination DC. “We consider it our professional responsibility to actualize the dreams of young Americans who might not otherwise experience this rite of passage. “
Destination DC is the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of more than 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, is the 501(c)(3) philanthropic sister organization of the Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA). We believe that TRAVEL CHANGES YOUNG LIVES FOR GOOD, and to that end, the SYTA Youth Foundation strives to provide access to travel opportunities for the maximum number of young people that would otherwise be unavailable due to family hardship, budget cuts in school systems, or simply lack of the access to or education about travel as a learning experience. Since 2000, the SYTA Youth Foundation has provided travel opportunities to over 3,500 deserving youth. www.sytayouthfoundation.org
The American Experience Foundation, a 501(c) (3) public charity, develops national programs promoting education about the arts, culture, American democracy and the unique heritage of Washington, DC by selecting 8th grade classrooms from low-income areas within the United States and DC metropolitan area for fieldtrips to the nation’s capital. Beyond the annual Rite of Passage field trip, the American Experience Foundation (AEF) hosts DC public school students for one-day field trips. 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
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February 25, 2016