Field trips for middle school students are not uncommon, but in June a group of Pathfinder students will participate in a school trip that could greatly alter each child's world view.

The 25 Pathfinder students in grades six through eight will travel to China to volunteer at an orphanage for two weeks. The trip is part of the school's new World Travel Program organized by head teacher Lisa Clayton.

"My goal is for students to see themselves as global citizens," says Clayton. "To know that what happens in China affects us."

In the program's first year, Clayton wanted to take students to China because of her familiarity and increased access to the country. The head teacher adopted both of her daughters from China and has many contacts in the country.

"I know (China) is a safe place for foreigners to be," says Clayton. "The Chinese Government really does want us to be safe and comfortable and goes out of its way for tourists."

Once they are there, Clayton says a majority of their time will be spent caring for children in an orphanage in Xian, something no other students have been allowed to do before. From the time the orphans wake up, until they go to sleep, the students will be with infants and toddlers. They will also use their own money to go shopping in China and buy gifts for the orphans.

She wants the student's experience to be authentic, and says they will eat the same food that children in the orphanage eat.

"I want them to be uncomfortable, because with discomfort we grow," says Clayton.

The students will also take a cooking class at a dumpling restaurant in Xian and later ride a night train to Bejing to do some sightseeing there.

Lesli Harris's daughter Monica is in eighth grade. She will be traveling with Clayton this summer. She thinks the program will help students at Pathfinder expand their knowledge of cultural diversity.

"China and Asia are where it's happening, especially in this town" says Harris. "(Monica) has got a big world view and these kids really believe the world is theirs."

Monica is looking forward to the trip too. This will be her first time outside North America.

"I'm excited to see it all for real instead of just in pictures," she said.

To prepare, students traveling to China meet on Thursdays after school to study Chinese history, culture and learn a bit of the language. Clayton will also be taking them to different Chinese restaurants in Seattle's International District to become more familiar with the cuisine and visit the Wing Luke Asian Museum.

Each student traveling to China will have to complete an independent project on Chinese culture that includes a 10-page paper and creative project.

Clayton says a lot of the time after school is spent teaching students how to care for young children and planning craft activities to entertain the orphans with. The teacher is also preparing her students for the emotional impact of working in an orphanage where some of the children could be disabled or reject human contact.

To raise money for the trip students are selling Sees candy bars. But Clayton has ensured that the program will not take any money from the Pathfinder community, and encourages students to fundraise at local grocery stores.

"I'm so proud of these guys and their willingness to step out and take a risk," says Clayton. "I want kids to see the world as a place that they can go."