my 12 year old always gets nominated by his teacher...three years in a row now but the cost of these trips is outrageous.  Last year I think it was Washington DC.  When I told the teacher I couldn't afford to send him, she tried to get the school PTA to cover his expenses as he is an honor student but the request was too late.  I'm flattered he gets nominated but right now most of us are just happy to be covering our bills let alone taking extraordinary vacations or sending our kids on them.