Freedom Road: A Journey Through the Civil Rights South
On this five-day journey through the South, students will explore powerful stories of the Civil Rights movement while experiencing the culture, music, and energy that make these cities special. The trip begins in Atlanta at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park, where students will see Dr. King’s childhood home and learn how his dream of nonviolence took root. In Birmingham, the 16th Street Baptist Church highlights the courage of young people who stood up for justice, reminding us of the important role youth played in history. In Selma, students will walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and visit the National Voting Rights Museum, connecting with the bravery of marchers who fought for the right to vote. Then it’s on to Montgomery and a stop at the Legacy Museum, where students will reflect on the journey from slavery to freedom and the work still to be done. The journey ends in Memphis, where students will take in the sights and sounds of Beale Street and explore the Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum, celebrating how African American music shaped American culture. Throughout the week, students will see how the determination of ordinary people created extraordinary change. This trip is a powerful experience that combines reflection, inspiration, and discovery, showing how history, culture, and community connect in the ongoing path toward freedom.
This trip is an adventure on the road, as students travel together by motorcoach. Participants will stay in four different cities (Atlanta, Birmingham, Montgomery, and Memphis) in comfortable hotels with two to three students per room. Most drives are less than two hours, with the longest being a five-hour trip between Montgomery and Memphis. With walking tours, museum visits, and city explorations, the journey keeps everyone on the go, providing hands-on experiences at each historic site.
Educational Goals:
Analyze key events, places, and figures of the Civil Rights movement to understand how ordinary people used nonviolent action to create lasting social change.
Explore African American heritage through music, community, and storytelling.
Reflect on the importance of voting rights, equality, and justice to make connections between past struggles and our own roles as engaged citizens.
Instructors: Melissa Carter and Beth Gaffga
Open to: Grades 6–8
Limit: 16 students
Cost: $3,170
Travel Dates: Monday, March 9 – Friday, March 13