Winter break is here, and some parents are dreading having to find new ways to entertain their children over the two-week break. Amanda Santangelo, a Physical Education teacher at Edison Intermediate School (EIS) has some thoughts on bringing little kids on vacation. “Entertaining toddlers is always difficult, but it is definitely easier when we are on vacation. Our trip to Disney was the most magical vacation ever!” she stated.
One of the easiest ways that parents can keep their children occupied while they do not have school is a trip. Whether it is a ski trip to Colorado or a tropical vacation to the Bahamas, kids are bound to enjoy the nice change of scenery. Many EIS students, like Jude Mayer, a seventh grader here at EIS, are traveling to Florida for the break. “I’m going to Florida this year,” he stated.
Orlando, Florida, is one of the most popular winter break destinations because of Disney and the warm weather! According to Vunique Vacations, “One of the most compelling reasons to visit Florida during the winter is the weather. Unlike much of the United States, which is blanketed in snow and cold temperatures, Florida enjoys mild, comfortable conditions throughout the winter months.” Whether you are swimming in the blue oceans of the Gulf of Mexico or running around the park with Mickey, Florida’s bound to be a good time!
While many people think of vacations as a tropical trip with a piña colada in hand, we cannot forget about the vacations on the other side of the weather spectrum. Those are cold vacations! Skiing and snowboarding are very popular here at EIS, with 88% of the people who were interviewed saying that they enjoyed skiing or snowboarding, and a lot of them would like to go on a trip that has colder weather. EIS sixth grade student Theodore Olson noted, “I’m going to go to Salt Lake City to visit my family over Christmas break.”
It gets quite chilly out in Utah, especially in the winter months, and it is a very common destination for ski and snowboarding trips. Ski Utah explains, “On Snowbird’s 2,500 acres, winter activities go beyond skiing and riding. Slow down and experience The Bird on snowshoes, relax at The Cliff Spa, or enjoy a meal at ’70s-themed SeventyOne. Need to kick it up a notch? Take a ride on the wild side; explore the Little Cottonwood’s backcountry via snowcat or Powderbird heli-skiing.”
Mrs. Meade, an eighth grade English Language Arts and Journalism teacher at EIS, goes on a family trip to Mexico every year. She loves this tradition, but it hasn’t always been all sunshine and smiles. “It’s definitely easier now because one time my son got an ear infection, so he was screaming for the entire flight. And another time I lost his pacifier, and we couldn’t find the same one in Mexico, so he cried for about three days straight!” Mrs. Meade stated.
Many parents can relate to experiences like these, but that doesn’t stop most of them from continuing to bring their families on fun trips! Tropical vacations and tanning on the beach are a great option for Winter Break, but cold trips should not be overlooked! They are great for skiing and snowboarding, which both help with full-body strength and cardiovascular fitness. Niva Raoji, an eighth grader at EIS, has thoughts on both types of trips. “It depends on what time of the year it is. If it is Christmas, I like tropical vacations, but if it’s late winter, like February, then I prefer ski trips,” she said.
Besides the beach or a ski vacation, some students get to visit Europe for breaks like eighth grader Ella Wint. “My favorite part of my Paris trip was getting to go shopping on the Champs Elysee. I got to spend a lot of quality time with my mom, and it was beautiful there.”
Trips are a great way to spend the holiday break, and the students and staff here at EIS are proof of it!
