Middle School Field Trips Far Away

My daughter's 7th grade trip this year was to Chicago - a few states away from us.  We couldn't afford to send her and didn't think it was a good idea that she went anyway (due to problems we've had with one of her teachers) so she missed it.  We have been looking at pictures her friends took while in Chicago.  They should get hired for brochure printing for tourists with these pictures. It looks like it was a fun trip, not necessarily educational but fun.  I'm not sorry we didn't spend $400 to send her on this trip at all. 

She's asking to go on the 8th grade trip already for next year which is to Washington D.C.  Oh lordy help me.  At least that would be educational but spend money to send her to Obama's house?  Hmm...lol.

We never did field trips like this in junior high.  Boy how things change.