The NEHT South Tour (often referred to as NEHT-S) is The Cheshire YMCA’s Introduction to Developmental Travel Program for Cutler, Winchester, Troy, Fitzwilliam, Gilsum and Hinsdale Schools.
NEHT-S is one of the 3 New England Heritage Tours that the Cheshire YMCA offers each year. This tour consists of students from all of the above mentioned schools. We have teachers, friends, and parent’s participate in this tour as Group Leaders or Bus Coordinators. Many have been traveling for 10 or more years and look forward to reaching out to a new group of students every year. This tour travels early in the students 7th grade year and they often form bonds and friendships that last a lifetime.
What is the New England Heritage Tour?
History on wheels…Developmental Travel is an opportunity for area youth to take what they are learning in 7th grade Social Studies classes and make it come alive. Instead of simply learning about our country’s beginnings, we take them for three (3) days to Plymouth to see Plimoth Plantation, The Pilgrim Hall Museum, the Mayflower II and the Forefather’s Monument. To Concord and Lexington to see the Concord bridge and Lexington Green. Boston is next to walk the Freedom Trail and see the many historical sites of the city. We finish in Sturbridge Village. By taking students out of the classroom and “on-site”, we can enhance the learning that goes on in schools.
What makes the Cheshire YMCA different from other groups that visit these historical sites is the word “developmental” in the program’s title. For more than 30 years, over 25,000 area youth have grown in mind, body and spirit through the two Developmental Travel programs the Cheshire YMCA offers.Little things like student chores, a dress code, and high behavioral expectations help develop strong character within each individual and leadership amongst the group. Students learn how to work well as part of a team, responsibility for their actions, and a feeling of self worth.
Through the work of a volunteer staff, many of them teachers, the students learn that if they work hard towards a goal, they will be successful. Students gain knowledge, not just historical information, which will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Developmental Travel is a very unique program both within the community as well as within the YMCA movement and has become a part of two generations in area households.