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The Kaleidoscope Blog

New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade for marching bands
“Lucky” Bands Can March in the NYC Saint Patrick’s Day Parade™

On Saint Patrick’s Day, we’re all a little bit Irish! It seems only right, then, to celebrate our collective Irish roots in the city that started it all. Lucky bands can march in the NYC Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, the oldest and largest in the western hemisphere! How did the NYC Saint Patrick’s Day Parade […]

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4 great festivals for marching bands
4 Great Festivals for MARCHing Bands

Between marching season and spring concerts, the school year has flown by. March is the perfect time to think about upcoming performance and learning opportunities. Music festivals are an outstanding way to fine-tune skills and inspire students. Check out these 4 great festivals for MARCHing bands! OrlandoFest March – May 2022 OrlandoFest is a premier, […]

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Pittsburgh PNC Park
A ‘Whole Nother’ List of Things to Do

If you’re planning a student trip to Pittsburgh, there’s a ‘whole nother’ list of things to do. Arts, history, technology, sports and more will make your visit a standout. Oh- and you may want to brush up on your “Pittsburghese” before going! Carrie Blast Furnaces You can’t visit Pittsburgh without touching on its steel legacy. […]

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pittsburgh science trip
5 Things Yinz Have to Do in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is AWESOME! I’m not just saying that because I’m a homegrown Yinzer – it’s an incredible city! There’s so much to see, do (and eat!) in a place where the people make you feel like family. It is a hub for STEM, performance and athletics, as well as world class universities. If you have […]

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what parents should ask about the school trip
5 Essential Parent Questions for the School Trip

Your child (who you are SURE just started kindergarten yesterday) is going on the school trip. You’re certain he’ll never be able to function without you. He’ll lose his money, get lost in the big city, or not get enough rest and end up sick. What’s a parent to do?  Take a deep breath and […]

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Topgolf Exterior
Topgolf is Next Level Entertainment

This past summer, my family and I visited our first Topgolf. It was my husband’s idea and we all rolled our eyes when he suggested it. None of us golf – that’s something Pap does on Thursdays with a bunch of his retired buddies. We didn’t really know what to expect but figured it involved […]

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5 Helpful Tips to Plan an Epic Class Trip
5 Helpful Tips to Plan an Epic Class Trip

The school year is now on fast forward. You have a curriculum to cover, testing to complete, and a million tasks waiting on your desk. Oh- and it’s time to think about the class trip! Relax… we’ve got you covered with five easy tips to get you started. Here are 5 helpful tips to plan […]

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5 best factory and museum tours for students
5 Best Factory and Museum Tours for Students

Everyone wants to know where their favorite stuff comes from and how it’s made. That’s why factory and museum tours are so much fun! These are our picks for the 5 best factory and museum tours for students in some great student destinations. World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, GA If your group is going to […]

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5 Awesome Travel Blogs Teens Will Love
5 Awesome Travel Blogs Teens Will Love

My daughter is obsessed with Kara and Nate. She follows them everywhere and wants to do everything they do. This seems like pretty typical 7th-grade behavior, right? Sure, until you realize that Kara and Nate are travel bloggers with a wildly popular YouTube channel, not friends from school. My daughter is consumed with the idea […]

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Why are scrunchies back
Why Are Scrunchies Back In A Big Way?

If you spend any time around teens or tweens, you may have picked up on a new trend. If you’re a child of the late 80s or early 90s, the trend may seem familiar. Little bits of elastic wrapped in colorful fabric are used in hair or found on wrists. They are stacked, wrapped or […]

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choose a reliable tour operator
What Are the New Rules for Driver Hours?

Not so long ago, my husband traveled with students. Many, MANY days started at 3:00 a.m., or worse, were already well underway at that ungodly hour. I spent countless late nights and early mornings worrying about leaping deer, drunks on the road or exhausted motorcoach drivers. He is no longer keeping such crazy hours and […]

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No place like NYC for the holidays
No Place Like NYC for the Holidays

Sleigh rides, snow, and New York City! It’s never too early to start planning your holiday travel. New York City tops the list of fabulous holiday destinations for groups- especially students. The Big Apple is always humming with activity but has a singular energy fueled by anticipation as the holidays approach. The weather is crisp, […]

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