2024 - Day 1

All have arrived in Freiburg and are doing well! 

We will publish to our new private Instagram account in lieu of updating this blog daily. 

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2024 Pre-Departure Entry

Welcome to year 11!  We are once again looking forward to taking an exceptional group of students on an exciting and educational trip!  

We generally try to blog each evening during the trip after our scheduled activities have been completed. 

Thank you for sending your kids with us to have this adventure.

For all the parents / guardians that are following our blog and may require our phone numbers in an emergency, please note them below:

Dr. Ed Gatzke:  803-361-1749

Dr. Andi Gatzke:  803-220-6572

Backup devices 1:  839-223-0863 (text/ facetime)

Backup device 2:  839-224-4176 (call/ text)

Our location throughout the trip is as follows:

Day 12 - 5/19/2023 - Therme-Erding

The world’s largest spa did not disappoint!  Students were given an all-day pass and could spend as much or as little time as they wanted there. Sorry there are no pictures as there were no phones allowed inside. All are well. 

Day 11 - 5/18/2023 - Zugspitze

Forgive me it’s was a long, grueling day due to the DB - Holiday issues. However, we made it up and down. We enjoyed the day!  It was the best weather they have had up there in three weeks!

All are hanging in there. 

Day 10 - 5/17/2023 - Ingolstadt

We had a really nice time at the Audi Museum, and really enjoyed the factory tour of the Audi factory. So many robots, conveyance systems, from sheet metal to completed car! We even got to see a masked car - secret stuff! 

Then, we went to the Bavarian Army Museum, in a castle!  

All enjoyed our new adventure and are doing well. 

Day 9 - 5/16/2023 - Munich

Today, we toured at the Institute for Plasma Physics at the Technical University of Munich. We discussed fusion, toured a tokamak facility and enjoyed sliding on slides in the Math building. All are in great spirits.

Day 8 - 5/15/2023 - Munich

Most had time yesterday and today to spend time doing cultural things, ie museums, zoos, etc. We gathered at 4pm for a phenomenal walking tour of Munich. I think they really enjoyed the tour guide we use. All are well and we look forward to an active set of days to finish out the program.