Field trips are the best. Learning firsthand outside the classroom was always met with anticipation as our teachers at District 1 announced upcoming outings. A bit of that youthful excitement returns, still, whenever I find myself on a tour (grownup field trip) for Keep Alliance Beautiful.
Previously, as managing editor at the Alliance Times-Herald, and in my current capacity as KAB recycling coordinator, I have conducted tours for children on field trips as well as interested adults. Both past and present workplaces piqued enough public interest that people wanted to see that industry in action locally. Did their perception of journalism or recycling change as the latest group filed out the door? It could be the instance was the first opportunity a class of fourth graders had to learn how a printing press puts a color photograph on the front page or why the recycling center bales certain materials and ships others in totes.
Before autumn even arrived on the calendar, KAB hosted its first students of the 2024-25 academic year. Carlie Foster, KAB education coordinator, texted me a heads up weeks in advance. I have become comfortable showing visitors around, so every occasion varies a bit taking into account the audience.
This time, instead of a certain class walking from a bus down the block, we waited in the sunshine as families from the Alliance homeschool co-op gathered in the alley. Just over two dozen of a possible 30 students found their way to 107 1⁄2 Cheyenne Avenue .