When the CVB decided to pursue the student travel market, it set out to analyze the market place — what was working and how to best incorporate those successes into its one-stop-shop approach to doing business, better known as Columbus Concierge service.
The CVB team got together and figured out that if all of the education programs were consolidated into a simple to use format, teachers would make it one of their top resources for planning. Part of the project included engaging the services of a certified tour guide manager to help not just organize the tools, but work hand in hand with the various venues that either offered programs or perhaps needed assistance in meeting state and national standards. Over a dozen institutions were contacted and all of them have partnered with the CCVB in producing a comprehensive catalog of lessons from math to science, from music to history, and everything else in between.
The following are some of the unique discoveries students can have in Columbus, GA.
One of a kind experiences include a voyage to the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus — the only museum in the country dedicated to taking a comprehensive look at this fascinating aspect of the Civil War. Get swept away with stories of powder monkeys, and even see how the navies used submarines and torpedoes! New to Port Columbus is the construction of a full-scale replica of the USS Water Witch, representing one of the most exciting events in Civil War naval history. This ship is the anchor to the new educational programming platform at Port Columbus.
More military adventures await at the new National Infantry Museum. Students can tour the largest military museum in the country featuring art and artifacts that follow the steps of the American foot soldier across two centuries of courage and determination. Students can even traverse the Last 100 Yards ramp where battles from each of the infantry’s major conflicts over the past 233 years are depicted in striking realism.
Other unique activities include touring the original Columbus Historic District and discovering that the formula for Coca-Cola was first invented here; performing on stage at the recently restored 135-year old Springer Opera House — The State Theatre of Georgia, just watch out for ghosts; or get back to nature at Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center — a must for the outdoor lover, future biologist, forest ranger or environmentalist.
A visit to the Coca-Cola Space Science Center is truly out of this world! Whether voyaging to the moon, rendezvousing with a comet, or venturing to Mars, students will work together as teams in mission control and aboard the space station testing their decision-making, problem solving and communication skills.
Think all museums are alike? Wait until you see the Columbus Museum! This second largest art museum in Georgia houses 15 permanent galleries, including Transformations, a hands-on gallery that kids of all ages will enjoy!
The final steps will be to have all the programs produced in a teacher’s workshop and on-line resource (at www.visitcolumsbuga.com) by late summer of 2009. In the meantime, planners are encouraged to call the CCVB and STEP professionals will assist in arranging tours, lesson planning, overnight accommodations, and meals.
For more information visit www.visitcolumbusga.com, or call 800-999-1613.