Every year in North Carolina, busloads of elementary and middle school children take fields trips to landmarks like the Biltmore House and the Chinqua Penn Plantation. And every year, busloads of elementary and middle school children are bored out of their gourds. 
Another popular destination on the North Carolina field trip circuit is Old Salem, a look at life in an 18th century settlement. It's kind of like Williamsburg, Virginia, but without the cool roller coasters.
I went to Old Salem once during a field trip in middle school and have only one real memory from that day. I vaguely recall the old buildings and the people dressed in Colonial garb. You want to know what I remember most from that day?
Making out with Maddie in the back of the school bus.
Yeah, I'm pretty shallow.
But I can't be the only one. Maybe I've always been too much of a redneck, but nothing at Old Salem (other than Maddie) held my attention. I was twelve years old. I didn't care about blacksmiths, powdered wigs, and quill pens. None of my sexual fantasies involved Colonial women. Or milkmaids. Hell, my sexual fantasies at age twelve just simply revolved around Sex: The Act.
My point? I think it's useless taking kids on field trips to landmarks like the ones I mentioned above. I don't believe showing twelve-year-olds an old building or some dork dressed in knickers has any educational value. They won't truly appreciate such places until they're much older. If the kids aren't totally bored, they're stifling snickers or making out on the bus (or far worse -- it is 2008 now). Rev up the bus and take the children to science museums, art museums, and prisons. Places that will hold their attention. Places where they can will actually learn a thing or two.
The coffee pot in the photos stands just outside the entrance to Old Salem. The pot is twelve feet tall and has a circumference of sixteen feet. Pretty freaking big. Want to learn more about the giant coffee pot? Of course you do. Or would you rather make out with Maddie instead?
Song of the day: Sex On Wheels by My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult
Culture Is Wasted On The Young
