Club seeks globetrotters

The Milton Study Abroad Club allows Milton High School students to take an interest in International travel.  

The group originated with retired History Teacher Mr. Michael Conn, who took Milton students on trips throughout the world for over 20 years.  

Currently the group offers support and tips for people who are planning on going on planned trips with Science Teacher Mr. David Bittner and Art Teacher Ms. Lauren Richie.  

Ten members of the Milton Study Abroad Club are planning to travel with Mr. Bittner to Galapagos Island and Ecuador in June of 2024 and to Europe with Mrs. Richie, also in June of 2024, Mr. Dick added. 

Last year, Mr. Dick and Ms. Richie became advisors of the Milton Study Abroad Club because of a trip to Europe they were planning with the school in 2020, Ms. Richie said. 

 “Due to COVID-19 the trip was cancelled and rescheduled multiple times and when we were finally able to go last Summer, Mr. Dick was living in Cypress, so I went as group leader,” Ms. Richie explained. “On the trip to Europe last summer there were seven students, three parents and two teachers.” 

Any high school student can join the Milton Study Abroad Club, but if there is a trip the group is planning, all students in the group cannot be failing two or more classes to be able to join on the trip. “The club is a High School only club,” Mr. Dick said. 

“Travelling broadens a person’s perspective and allows us to see how different people live,” said Mr. Dick. Students are able to see how different countries and communities live when they travel abroad.  

If the group decides to go on a trip, the students would give input on where they’d like to travel to. If the Milton Study Abroad Club were to take an international trip, “we would start off small and go to Niagara Falls in Canada since it’s closer and more affordable,” Mr. Dick explained. 

A trip with the Milton Study Abroad Club to Niagara Falls would be sometime next fall at the earliest.  

The club currently meets every other Thursday during Pride in advisor Mr. Dick’s room.