Threat of beer drinking nearly sinks school trip

Modern Brewery Age, Jan 6, 2003

A summer trip to Germany for Mesa, Arizona high school students nearly got the ax because the organizer routinely includes an alcohol disclaimer that would have allowed the students to drink while abroad.

"I could never approve a trip or event where our children will drink alcohol," Mesa Unified governing board member Cindi Hobbs said.

Skyline High School's German Club is planning a trip to Hamburg and Lueneburg for about a dozen ninth-through 12th-graders in the district. But the excursion was nearly canceled by the Mesa Unified governing board because the the event organizer provides a sign-off sheet for parents who wish to allow their children to drink

Children as young as 16 can drink beer and wine in Germany. In fact, German law allows children of any age to legally drink alcohol with a parent present.

Board members, with the exception of Hobbs, ultimately approved the trip on the condition that parents and students sign an awareness form stating pupils would abide by the district excursion policy's no-drinking clause.