When my children first started attending Liahona
Preparatory Academy around the year 2000, we were introduced to the concept of
"Super Trips." During a school year, the students would study a
certain aspect of history, be it U.S. or World, mingled with where Christ's
gospel was at that time. They learned about the inspired religious reformers
who tried to get the scriptures to the average person, sometimes at the costs
of their lives.
They learned about their Founding Fathers, and the
spiritual reasons why God needed to have a free country in order to establish
His true church on the earth. My children were riveted by these histories that
came alive in Brother DeGraff's history class. He made them own their history,
their responsibility to acquaint themselves with their Constitution, and
instilled in them a love of their country.
Then, as if that wasn't enough, "Super
Trips" during the summer were offered to both Academy and Online Students
around the nation. These trips took students (and volunteer parent chaperones)
to places around the nation, and sometimes Europe, to see for themselves where
the foundation for their free lives were created.
Many trips back east included both U.S. and Church
Histories, including Washington DC and surrounding popular historical tourist
sites, as well as New York and the Joseph Smith homes, temples, and
Cumorah Pageant.
One year we traveled to Europe during the studies
of World History. We visited the castle in London, England and watched the
changing of the guard. We traveled all through England, including Liverpool
where the Beatles had their start, and where the Saints took their voyage to
the United States. Scotland was also a highlight.
Many summer trips were spent in some part of Mexico
where the students experienced the Book of Mormon ruins, and had opportunities
to do service for the poor, and orphanages. These kids rebuilt roofs for
hurricane ridden towns, restored orphanage water storage tanks, and built
playground equipment for the children, providing clothing, and school supplies.
They played with the children while others painted their school house. They
helped to plant gardens and teach them how to grow food. They purchased with
their own funds clothing, such as underwear and shoes. We gave free hair-cuts
to men, women, and children of all ages.
Doctors and dentists were brought in to care for
those sick and poor country-men, while the students repainted their dilapidated
community center. The students had a chance to see for themselves how very
blessed they are to live in the United States, what abundance they enjoy, how
poorly some live, and how much THEY can do to make a difference in the
world.
It was what any good parent would hope for, for
their children's life education. I felt like a wonderful parent offering these
opportunities to my children to grow in ways they could not typically in public
schools. My kids learned compassion, hard work, and expanded their horizons.
They felt like there was nothing that they couldn't do to contribute to their
world. Their testimonies of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ were
strengthened. Their love of country solidified.
When my four children graduated from this fine
institution, they had more than a typical education. They had a foundation for
life. Now my children are grown and have launched their own lives, including
raising families on their own. I look at their solid lives and pat myself on
the back for having given them the opportunities to stretch and grow at the
inspired Liahona Preparatory Academy and their amazing "Super
Trips."
Written by Lisa McDougle
