Journey to Freedom: The Foundation of American Democracy 

Subject: 

Early American History 

When:

September 7-10, 2026

What:

In the spirit of 1776 and the 250th celebration of the United States of America, we have extended our Journey to Freedom program. We will start with the Pilgrims and tour Plymouth tracking their journey to a new land and learn about the new friends they meet. We will then visit the very first college in America, Harvard University and have a tour with two homeschool grads and Harvard Alum. As we move chronologically through history we will travel down to Boston, experience the Freedom Trail and the Boston Tea Party. 

Who it’s for: 

All ages - this program is open to all family members

What's included:

• Study Guide

• Books

• Adventure Pack

• Membership in the Adventure Club 

Some of the events included: 

• Private Walking History Tour of Plymouth with local expert

• Visit on the Mayflower II Ship

• Visit Plymouth Rock

• Plimoth Patuxet Living History Museum 

• Wampanoag homesite

• Plimoth Grist Mill tour

• Cranberry bog farm private tour

• Jabez Howland House tour

• Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum Tour

• Private walking tour of Boston with local expert

• The Freedom Trail and several museums along the trail

• Harvard Natural History Museum

• Harvard Peabody Museum

• Harvard Campus Tours

• A visit to the Smith Center

*activities may vary due to weather or unforeseen circumstances 

Schedule: 

Day 1: Welcome - Monday, September 7th 

Welcome to Massachusetts! Arrive at the Boston Logan Airport (BOS) and travel to the hotel in Boston, MA.  

Check in and get excited to meet your fellow travelers during a welcome meeting in the lobby of the hotel. This evening we will meet at 7:00 pm where we will share more details of the week and families can connect before the Journey ahead.

Day 2: Plymouth - Tuesday, September 8th

We start our adventure with a private bus tour to Plymouth and immerse into the time of the landing of the Pilgrims with many tours. We have an amazing private walking tour of the town by a local expert historian and homeschool grandfather to start our day. We will tour several sites in Plymouth including: the Grits Mill, the Mayflower II, The Jabez Howland House, the Plimoth Patuxet Museum, a living history museum featuring a working Wampanoag site and Pimoth Village. We will finish the day with a private tour on a family owned organic regenerative Cranberry Bog farm. Here we will learn the history of cranberry farming and even help harvest some cranberries! We will make our own bog in a jar to bring home.

Day 3: Cambridge, Wednesday, September 9th

Our day begins with a historical tour of the first college in America, Harvard University led by two homeschooled grads who are also Harvard grads. Hear about the history of Harvard Yard, and the Widener Library. The library has an amazing story itself built as a memorial to Mr. Harry Widener who died at the young age of 27 on the Titanic. The Gutenberg Bible on display at the Widner library is one of only 28 complete copies in the world. We will see the Harvard Memorial Church, hear about the new Biblical Law Program, the new Faith and Veritas events and the Christian history of the university. 

Next is a visit to Smith Hall which houses the campus food court where we will enjoy lunch. 

Next, we will visit the Harvard Museum of Natural History, which is the public face of three research museums: Museum of Comparative Zoology, the Harvard University Herbaria, and the Mineralogical & Geological Museum will be our next stop. Here we will experience a variety of zoological exhibits, beautiful glass displays, and geology displays. The Peabody Museum at Harvard is an anthropology museum displaying the cultural heritage, objects and images, from people around the world and across time. 

Day 4: Boston, Thursday, September 10th

Our morning will start with a private walking tour of the freedom trail, a 2.5 mile route that guides visitors around the 16 major historical sites in downtown Boston. We will take a guided tour through downtown Boston to see where early American leaders once walked and lived. We will see Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, King’s Chapel, King’s Chapel Burying Ground, Boston Latin School Site, Benjamin Franklin Statue, Old Corner Bookstore, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Boston Massacre Site, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, Old North Church, and Copp’s Hill Burying Ground. We will tour inside King’s Chapel, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, and the Old North Church. Finally, we will reenact what started the American revolution, the Boston Tea Party! 

Our program ends at the end of the tour at 4pm. Feel free to stay and explore on your own!

Educators: Local historians and expert guides

Transportation: Walking and the T subway A car rental is not necessary for this adventure.

Arrival by car: Drive to the hotel in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Arrival by plane: Once you arrive in Boston, you will need to take a shuttle or taxi to the hotel, about 15 to minutes from Boston Logan Airport.

Activity level and limitations:

All of the museums we will visit are accessible, however a few portions, such as upstairs at the old fort at Plimoth Patuxet Museum, have limited accessibility. This program involves extensive walking around Massachusetts, exploring museums including indoor and outdoor activities. Most of our activities involve walking so please plan on walking two to three miles per day with breaks. Fall weather is lovely but may be cool or rainy. Please check the weather before packing and plan to dress appropriately..

Tuition and Fees Schedule:

Student 0-4 years - Free   

Student 5-18 years - $595

Adult - $595

(Payment plans available) 

*This program is approved as direct pay for Step-Up for Students in Florida and may qualify for other school voucher programs. All food, transportation, and hotel costs are paid for by the parent and not with scholarship funds. No refunds will be issued as per SUFS policy.

Does not include:

Flights, airport transfers, travel insurance, lodging, meals, or money for souvenirs.