Middle school students in the North Valley took a unique type of field trip -- challenging them to think about the future.

Fifty kids from Hoover Middle School visited U.C. Merced on Wednesday, but it wasn't your ordinary campus tour. A scavenger hunt had students searching for landmarks, buildings and sculptures to help them learn about the university.

The field trip is part of the California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP). U.C. Merced students who work for the program were excited to showcase their campus, while also promoting higher education.

"I'm really excited that we got to bring 50 students... We got to bring 50 I was really excited that they're getting the opportunity to see the school and know that there's more besides high school. Things you can do after. So, I think it's a really good opportunity," said Johana Martinez, Cal-SOAP staff and U.C. Merced student.

In addition to the scavenger hunt, students were challenged to use their communication skills to find U.C. Merced students with specific majors.

One of the World War II veterans who is in Washington, D.C. right now as part of the Central Valley Honor Flight will get a special treat during his trip home Wednesday.

First graders at Stowell Elementary School in Merced wrote letters of appreciation to John Fries last week. He's one of more than 60 local veterans who left Fresno Monday morning for a chance to see their memorials in our nation's capital.

One of the honor flight volunteers is friends with teacher Kristen O'Neill and asked if her students would like to write special messages to Mr. Fries.

He will receive those handwritten notes during mail call shortly after take-off Wednesday when the Honor Flight returns to the Valley.

Mrs. O'Neill said this was a great lesson in social studies and writing, and it also helped her students learn about the importance of honoring our veterans.