2022 EDITION
THEME PARK ADDITIONS New rides and adventures for school groups to experience
FUNDRAISING TIPS Ideas to ensure your next field trip is successful
IN-PERSON FIELD TRIPS RETURN
Bring your students to attractions across the nation
A Premier Travel Media publication / StudentTravelPlanningGuide.com
Wild Eagle roller coaster in Dollywood
Photo courtesy of Dollywood Parks & Resorts
2022 EDITION
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he loss of field trips and out-of-classroom experiences for children during the last two academic years has proven detrimental. While teachers are excellent at their jobs, there is something irreplaceable about practically applying the lessons students have learned in a real-world environment. Applying physics to theme park rides, biology to national parks and music theory to a performance at a professional-grade auditorium are all ways for school groups to venture beyond the campus and create unforgettable memories. There is a silver lining to the downturn and recent resurgence of student travel— operators, teachers and attractions were able to step back and update their offerings for a more safety-conscious, tech-savvy era. In this year’s edition of Student Travel Planning Guide, we investigate how the industry recovered, technological advances in the student sector and brand-new experiences for field trips. In “Students of the Game,” contributing writer Nick Povalitis dives into the thriving amateur sports tournament industry and how that sector’s recovering is being applied by educators to jump-start student tours, while our “Ask an Expert” features showcases Keith Snode from Kaleidoscope Adventures and trends that he sees in the student market. For school groups returning to their annual theme park trip after a few years away, we profile the newest and most exciting attractions from coast-to-coast in “Theme Park Thrills Return.” We also show how to hit your fundraising goals and download the latest student-friendly apps. We’re also excited to showcase cities and attractions across the nation that welcome school trips with specialized programming and itineraries. Whether your group wants to learn about American history at the National Constitution Center or experience the magic of Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, there is a Student Travel Spotlight to match your interest. We at Premier Travel Media are proud to bring you this year’s digital edition of Student Travel Planning Guide, and make sure to visit StudentTravelPlanningGuide.com for even more insider info and engaging itineraries. Safe Travels, Miles Dobis
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Editorial & Advertising Office 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527 P 630.794.0696 F 630.794.0652 info@ptmgroups.com www.ptmgroups.com Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk jeff@ptmgroups.com Senior Editor – Randy Mink randy@ptmgroups.com Managing Editor – Miles Dobis miles@ptmgroups.com Contributing Writer – Nick Povalitis Director, Design & Production – Lisa Hede lisa@ptmgroups.com Production Coordinator – Kelsey Ledford kelsey@ptmgroups.com The publisher accepts unsolicited editorial matter, as well as advertising, but assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or contributors. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information is published, but the publisher makes no warranty that listings are free of error. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited photos, slides or manuscripts. Student Travel Planning Guide (ISSN 2154-4905) is published annually by Premier Travel Media Inc. 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406, Willowbrook, IL 60527. Postage paid at Willowbrook, IL and Lebanon Junction, KY. This publication is distributed free to youth group travel organizers and travel suppliers catering to the market. Single copies for all others is $9.95. Send Address Change To: Premier Travel Media, Inc. 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527 Copyright 2022. All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher.
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Part inspiration, part tactical business planning, Traveling Tribes helps readers discover the world of group travel and guides them along the journey of leading their own tribe of travelers on expeditions around town or around the globe.
contents FEATURES
4 Students of the Game How student & sports travel segments share a post-pandemic playbook
8 A sk an Expert: Trends in Student Travel Keith Snode from Kaleidoscope Tours explains developments in student travel as the sector recovers
10 5 Essential Student Trip Tech Tools Make your next field trip paper-free and integrated with these apps and platforms
12 Theme Park Thrills Return These new attractions, programs and seminars will appeal to student groups
16 School Trip Fundraising 101 Tips to maximize your efforts and create the best outing for students
ON THE COVER: Photo courtesy of National Constitution Center
28 National Constitution Center
SHOWCASE
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Ron Jon Surf Shop—Cocoa Beach National Museum of the United States Army Museum of the American Revolution National Constitution Center Baltimore Pigeon Forge Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial
ITINERARY
26 Tour Tennessee Visit studenttravelplanningguide.com for more field trip ideas. STUDENT TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE 2022
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STUDENTS GAME OF THE
How student & sports travel segments share a post-pandemic playbook By Nick Povalitis, Plus Seven Company
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Photo courtesy of Explore Branson
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little more than two years ago, Alan B. Shepard High School had just wrapped up its winter sports season in Palos Heights, IL, as some students had been preparing for an Education First (EF) Tour trip. Well beyond the boundaries of high school sports bus travel, this was to be, for some, the trip of a lifetime across Spain.
“We were set to go in March 2020—then it got postponed to the summer of 2020, to the spring of 2021, to the summer of 2021, and then to the spring of 2022,” says Taylor Burmeister, who doubles as an English teacher and swimming coach at Shepard High School. “My original group was 13 or 14 students, and we had several kids go off to college or drop out. Eventually, we had
nine kids go with the EF Tours to Spain.” The pandemic derailed not only student trips like that of Shepard High—the first EF Tour trip Burmeister had ever signed up to organize—but also youth sports tournament operators at fields and pools around the globe. After 24 months of rescheduling and relearning how to live and travel safely, Burmeister and Shepard High STUDENT TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE 2022
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Photo courtesy of Explore Branson
MoNASP State Archery Tournament
School would eventually make good on the trip overseas. “It was as close to the trip as I could actually hope for,” says Burmeister, who built an itinerary filled with outdoor activities like bike tours and the flexibility that prioritized free time to experience the culture. “It might’ve even been better because a lot of the kids who stuck with it were sophomores who became seniors, so the kids valued it perhaps a lot more.” Some of those same sentiments ring loudly in the sports travel segment, which persisted and, in some cases, thrived through COVID-19. Outdoor sports like BMX and golf yielded impressive growth in participation rates in 2020 and 2021, while traditional ball sports like softball and volleyball prioritized more local and regional events to weather the storm. But while the sports market adapted, student education and music travel had to largely wait it out. Varying parent concerns surrounding the pandemic, school travel budget cuts and the inability to be together in groups to practice instruments made things more difficult. “There is more of a challenge, especially in music because it’s more audience based,” says Michael Embry, chief executive officer
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of FunME Events. “In COVID, it got dissolved. Picture baseball, you can go practice soccer—you can’t practice music virtually. That killed a lot of the music programs— vocal, instrumental, dance, theater—and with that, the population declined. A lot of student groups have changed.” A significant part of the FunME Events focus is centered on music education. Embry, a music major in college and former band director at Northern Illinois University, has orchestrated a career in tour group travel operations. Much of his success in the space is the result of a creative bent that’s allowed him to flourish in new territory and under difficult circumstances. Well before March 2020, Embry designed and launched GLEE Elitch Gardens, a student music festival leveraging the draw of a renowned theme park amidst a beautiful outdoor destination in Denver, CO. Over the years, the festival has grown to attract thousands of annual attendees from around the country. “We’re seeing the change of more localization, but the other thing we’re seeing is school groups don’t want to go to Chicago or New York City anymore because of the crime and problems,” Embry says. “Denver is one of my big sites because it’s a
clean destination, it’s environmentally safer and cleaner. It’s about remarketing.” That willingness to be creative with what you have is what Embry sees as the biggest opportunity for destinations and operators alike. “I would rather reinvent a city. You have to create something unique and different, and then you’ll be able to sell it,” Embry adds. “I try to be responsible and say I’m going to bring 300-500 kids, and that’s 240 hotel room nights and 1,400 meals. When I went to Denver 20 years ago, the CVB had no student programs at all. We set up a competition and the first year we had 1200 kids, the second year 3,000, and in 2019 we had 7,000 kids.” Student tour operators like FunME are also finding success in even smaller markets than Denver, many of which amplify their brand through sports tourism. Branson, MO, has a little more than 11,000 full-time residents, yet it’s become a world-class entertainment, leisure and sports destination thanks to attractions throughout the Branson strip and theater district and Ozark Mountains. The Branson/Lakes Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (Explore Branson) has built a dedicated sports sales and marketing program, hosting major events like the Missouri National Archery in the School State Tournament and the Branson Grand Prix of Missouri Powerboat Nationals during the pandemic. As the sports market continues to compete for and win tournament business, the Bureau’s recommitment to the student market is also paying dividends. “We started focusing about nine years ago on student travel. Branson was and still is a top destination for motorcoach,” says Lynn Berry, director of communications at Explore Branson. “We went from 15 percent motorcoach travel in the early 2000s down to as low as four percent, especially during the economic downturn of 2008. We started to come back up in 2013 and see it grow. It’s now about seven to eight percent of our visitors who come on a coach (bus).” And on many of those buses, students, like athletes, are finding their Branson niche. WonderWorks opened in 2020 as
to new places. Maybe more so than on the sporting side, the destination is key. It’s an investment for nothing more than travel.” Financial and pandemic challenges aside, the sports and student markets continually intersect at the impact gained after boarding a bus or plane. As youth travel, they pick up communication and teambuilding skills, practice discipline to be the best on the saxophone or softball field and learn what cannot be taught in textbooks. “When you get here, you’re going to go to the theater and see how everything is set up, and then you’re going to perform for 30 minutes on one evening before the star entertainers take the stage,” Berry says of the Branson experience. “And then the next afternoon, you’re going to come back and learn from the sound guys and light guys, what they did and how they did it. You’re
going to talk to the stars about what they did to enter showbusiness. And when you get back on that motorcoach to go back home, you’ve found out that it’s a lot of work.” That focus on in-depth learning, a feature of the student travel market, adds another important layer of context beyond destination and venue glitz and glamour. And as Embry can attest, there is something to be learned by visiting any city, regardless of its amenities or size. “People are looking for what to do in closer and smaller destinations. I would encourage convention and visitors bureaus to come up with more opportunities,” Embry says. “You don’t have to go to Disney. You cannot name a city where you cannot tell me something cool about it. You can rebrand a city, you just need to know how to do it and you’ve got to make it fun for the kids.” ■
Photos courtesy of Explore Branson
an upside-down museum for edutainment before the Aquarium at the Boardwalk began welcoming guests in 2021, complementing a bustling performing arts base from which students of all ages and zip codes learn from. “Those were my memories, going to Washington D.C. or going to Disney World for that senior trip,” Berry says. “We knew Branson could offer something that teachers could buy into, particularly the show choirs, glee clubs, the drama departments. We went after junior high, high schools, community colleges and universities. It’s made a dent, especially in the Midwest.” Making that mark can be costly, though, and something that reinforces the value of the draw and familiarity. The investment to participate can begin with a $1,400 saxophone and extend into thousands of dollars for club sports fees alone or a weeklong student educational tour. “It’s $3,500 for a week and that’s a big deal for a kid, and some of them have to pay for it themselves. If there’s a chance to go to Paris, which you’ve heard of and seen in movies and music videos, versus a place you’ve never heard of, most kids would choose the country they’re familiar with,” says Burmeister, who returned from his student trip to Spain in April 2022. “And then hopefully they get the travel bug in them and grow up to be someone who travels and goes
STUDENT TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE 2022
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& ASK AN EXPERT
TRENDS IN STUDENT TRAVEL
KEITH SNODE, KALEIDOSCOPE ADVENTURES
KEITH SNODE FROM KALEIDOSCOPE ADVENTURES EXPLAINS DEVELOPMENTS IN STUDENT TRAVEL AS THE SECTOR RECOVERS
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he last two years have been volatile and unpredictable for the student travel market. Thankfully, some stability has arrived, and educators are once again able to plan trips for their classes. Keith Snode from Kaleidoscope Adventures talked to us about trends he sees in the student sector and how schools are adapting.
Q: “How have travel patterns shifted for student groups during this recovery process?” A: There has been a noticeable so that raises the cost for everybody, shift in where the student groups are traveling to compared to prepandemic conditions, at least for the moment. Groups would typically travel to cities like Orlando or New York, and they would be on four-year cycles to involve every grade and keep prices down. And in the off-years, they would travel to a smaller market like Toronto or Cleveland if they were based in the Midwest, for example. But the motorcoach industry has changed significantly; gas prices are higher and there are fewer drivers,
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and people aren’t able to afford trips that are as extensive anymore. So I’m starting to hear more feedback from educators and clients asking about alternate destinations, which I think has been a positive development since it spreads the profits around. For years, I’ve been saying cities like Savannah and Lafayette, Louisiana are great for students, but I think the current marketplace has opened lots of eyes about their potential since they tend to cost less for the traveler. ■
Q: “Do you notice new locations trending?” A: I think we’re in a period
where travelers are very budgetconscious, and when places like Disney World and Myrtle Beach are already popular with families, parents tend to think “why should I pay for this experience if my child has already been there?” So we challenge teachers to think outside the box. There was a recent school group I worked with that always had the same arrangement: one motorcoach that accommodated about 45 people and always went to Orlando. He was resistant, but I convinced him to create a new itinerary that combined trips to Nashville and Huntsville (where Space Camp is), and he saw nearly double the attendance than normal. I find this sort of thing very encouraging— when teachers learn that variety in the trips they offer can lead to more enthusiasm. ■
Q: “Have more school groups partnered with tour operators?” A: I see more schools
Q: “What do you see as the appeal of these locations?” curriculum. And we’re seeing A: I’m seeing more of a trend that integrates the local environment with something applicable to a classroom lesson, rather than just going to a destination because it was already popular. We’re seeing this a lot with the national parks, since so many of them offer science and biology programs that can be related to a school
this all over the country—New Orleans, Nashville and Memphis all have these incredibly rich musical traditions that performing arts groups can take advantage of, and cities like Cleveland and Pittsburgh have these incredible ecosystems of academia that can accommodate programming for lots of subject matter. ■
partnering with tour operators, and there are obvious pros and cons to that. The operators are able to sell the experience better and make sure that registration runs smoothly online, and teachers sometimes don’t have the specific skillset to oversee that. And the operators allow the individual consumers (the parents in this case) to be billed instead of the teacher paying in bulk and then having to ask for payments that correspond to each student. ■
Q: “How have educators’ approaches to planning shifted?” A: I’m noticing that the break that their children are accounted
for. The attractions are utilizing this much more often, too. Universal in particular divides student into groups and provides them with a tablet that supplements what they experience on the ride, and that sort of option wasn’t available 10 years ago. ■
iStock.com/Irina Cheremisinova
many school groups took has only accelerated the way technology is integrated into this trip planning. Apps now have tools where you can geo-locate participants and track expenses in real-time, so parents feel a little more relaxed knowing
“But the motorcoach industry has changed significantly; gas prices are higher and there are fewer drivers, so that raises the cost for everybody, and people aren’t able to afford trips that are as extensive anymore.” — Keith Snode
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5 ESSENTIAL
STUDENT TRIP TECH TOOLS Make your next field trip paper-free and integrated with these apps and platforms
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QR Code
Short for “Quick Response Code,” you’ve surely seen these black and white squares at restaurants or hotels. This more sophisticated version of a barcode that allow customers to take pictures with their smartphones and be directed to a website or app. Before you leave on your class trip, instruct any students with smartphones how to scan these codes and best practices for browsing the websites they are linked to. These codes can be used to check allergy information on menus, cleaning protocols for your lodging and wait times at theme parks, and you can also apply them to printed lesson plans to provide website information if you are outside or don’t have a large television display. ■
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e Grou pM urtes y of
This mobile messaging app is the perfect way to connect everyone in your group and share realtime information about your class trip as the schedule is altered or plans are changed. Users can quickly form accounts by entering a phone number and password, Facebook credentials or Twitter account information. The app syncs contacts, allowing users to set up groups. Images, documents and videos can easily be attached and accessed by everyone in the group. The app has proven popular with educators because they can share supplementary lesson materials and trip schedule documents, and if you have breakouts of smaller groups when exploring an attraction, chaperones and group members can be divided into smaller chats to keep track of each other. ■
Phot o co
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GroupMe
Designed for young people going on their first extended trip away from home, this social platform is perfect for middle and high school students to share their experience outside of larger social media sites. Group members are invited to the app and can post photos, videos and screenshots of their class trip to share only with other members of the group, so teachers and chaperones can moderate the content. Once the trip is over, participants can edit albums and video compilations to share on other platforms, and an interactive “photo map” allows students to post photos and videos to the specific location it was taken. ■
Photo courtesy of Group Travel Videos
This media-sharing app allows students to take and share photos, educators to keep track of their pupils using GPS and parents back home to experience their child’s adventure from the comfort of home. All members of a school group can take, share and store keepsake photos and videos using their mobile devices, and after the trip, they will receive a keepsake storytelling DVD that compiles the best images of the student’s vacation that can also be streamed on the app or website. A passenger list allows planners to keep track of group members on the platform, and a documents storage folder can secure itineraries, lesson plans and other digital assets from an administrator’s mobile device without the use of a laptop or desktop computer. ■
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GroupCollect
The antiquated days of teachers creating unwieldly spreadsheets to keep track of who has paid for the class trip are in the past with this app. Specifically crafted for student tours, GroupCollect allows educators to create and track customized payment plans linked to individual students and classes. Teachers can track who is behind on their payments, adjust fundraising goals and distribute refunds if participants drop out. Using the same technology implemented by successful companies such as WorldStrides and EF Tours, you can plan your visit with the speed and efficiency of a national operator. ■ Photo courtesy of GroupCollect
Photo courtesy of Tripcast
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Tripcast
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Group Travel Videos
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THEME PARK THRILLS RETURN
These new attractions, programs and seminars will appeal to student groups
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heme parks are a staple of student travel for good reason. These locations offer high-velocity thrills in a contained environment that places teachers and chaperones at ease. They also offer a variety of educational programming that can allow theater groups to participate in backstage workshops, bands to march in a parade and choral groups to perform for park guests. For students interested in STEM, many of these parks allow visitors to learn about the physics of roller coasters and the mathematics behind ride design. Many school groups had temporarily paused their off-campus travel due to health precautions or budget reasons, but while the student sector was paused, these theme parks were busy creating new attractions for groups to enjoy. Here are the latest additions for major American theme parks over the past two years and educational programs to supplement them.
WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT Thousands of school groups annually visit the “Happiest Place on Earth” for the opportunity to march down Main Street, U.S.A. or perform in Tomorrowland. In 2021, Disney re-branded its highly popular Youth Program with a suite of workshops and experiences called the Disney Imagination Campus. Hosted at both the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, the programs are targeted primarily to middle and high school students under four areas of interest:
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Photo courtesy of Silver Dollar City
By Miles Dobis
For students interested in STEM, many of these parks allow visitors to learn about the physics of roller coasters and the mathematics behind ride design.
STUDENT TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE 2022
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Photo courtesy of Disney
Performing Arts, Art & Humanities, Science & Technology and Leadership & Innovation. Disney Imagination Campus still offers popular activities like dance workshops and marching band performances, but it also offers new programs such as “Theme Park Design” and “Immersive Storytelling” that demonstrate how park layout, set decoration and music can all create immersive environments and move the parks’ narrative forward. Hosted by Imagineers (Disney’s term for theme park designers), these programs utilize multimedia presentations and in-park applications to engage with students. Also proving popular with student groups is the “Technology of Disney Parks” program, which offers backstage access to certain attractions and explains the science behind hydraulics, sound design and animatronics. Students in your group more interested in the rides than the educational components will also find plenty to enjoy. Over the past two years, Disney has added several attractions, including a Ratatouillethemed addition to the France pavilion in Epcot. Guests enter an enchanting Paris as depicted in the 2007 Pixar film and shrink to the size of a mouse in Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Both parks have also completed Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, an immersive environment where students can design their own lightsaber, purchase their own
Disney Imagination Campus
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droid and pilot the Millennium Falcon on Smugglers Run.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS Universal’s Orlando and Los Angeles locations continue to host the popular The STEAM App Series, which transforms some of the resort’s top attractions into creative environments that apply in-ride features into education opportunities for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) disciplines. In Transformers ROLL OUT, students learn about engineering principles of the Six Degrees of Freedom and reconstruct vehicle motion sequences for TRANSFORMERS: The Ride. In Jurassic Paleobotany, students search the Jurassic Park area for ancient plant species and compare their findings to previously discovered fossils. Every app is presented in an easy-to-use tablet format, and programs’ degrees of difficulty can be altered depending on how advanced your students are. The Florida resort’s newest thrill ride is the VelociCoaster, a “launched” roller coaster that uses magnets to accelerate riders up to 50 miles per hour instead of using gravity and a traditional hill. An elaborate queue area guides visitors through a velociraptor paddock and into presentations hosted by Bryce Dallas
Howard and Chris Pratt and BD Wong reprising their roles from the popular Jurassic World film series.
SEAWORLD & BUSCH GARDENS With three parks across the United States (Orlando, San Antonio and the flagship location in San Diego), SeaWorld offers a compelling blend of thrill rides and zoo environments. New for 2022 is Ice Breaker, a breakneck roller coaster that features four airtime launches (including one in reverse) and the steepest vertical drop in Florida. Water park guests will enjoy the new Reef Plunge Water Slide, which plunges visitors 330 feet through aquatic environments that house dolphins and sharks. The San Antonio location debuted the thrill ride Tidal Surge this spring. Forty riders will board two pendulum arms that soar progressively higher until guests are flying 135 feet in the air with incredible views of the entire park. Riptide Race at the adjacent Aquatica water park is a splashy dueling racer that will pit students against each other as they zoom down a tube slide 650 until crossing the finish line. Emperor, the new penguin-inspired attraction in San Diego just became the tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster in California, with 90-degree plunges and speeds that top over 60 miles-per-hour. Once your students have enjoyed these new attractions and live aquatic entertainment, there are numerous educational programs tailored for students to add an educational component to your visit. The SeaWorld Orlando Education Field Trip Experience allows school groups to visit the park for a reasonable $29-perstudent fee that includes Q&As with resident zoologists, animal encounters and behind-the-scenes access to learn how the residents are cared for. The parks provide curriculum guides for grades K-12 that discuss conservation, the interdependency of marine habitats and animal biology, with elements that tie back to various park exhibits. SeaWorld also offers a variety of day camp programs that include the Thrill Seekers Camp (where students learn about physics and G-forces on various roller coasters), Marine Biology 101 (which
Photo courtesy of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
SeaWorld group camp
includes snorkeling opportunities in a shark cage) and Zoo Careers (which spotlights seven zoological departments and their roles in animal comfort). Busch Gardens in nearby Tampa also offers a blend of cutting-edge thrills and educational opportunities. The Animal Expeditions program allows students to explore the park on an adventure that includes animal meet-and-greets, ecochallenge activities and post-trip materials for teachers. Other opportunities include the “Forces of Nature” program that emphasizes genetic and ecology wile touring animal enclosures and the School on the Serengeti add-on, a 30-minute guided safari through the Serengeti Plain landscape and an opportunity to feed the giraffes. After enjoying the park’s zoological attractions, students can careen 206 feet in the air on the brand-new Iron Gwazi coaster.
CEDAR POINT Located west of Cleveland along the Lake Erie shoreline, Cedar Point boasts thrills and STEM-centric activities in equal measure. Through the park’s student and youth programs, the park transforms into a stateof-the-art classroom that reveals the physics of roller coasters and sophisticated systems behind some of the world’s most extreme thrill rides. Hosted throughout the spring,
the park’s Education Days welcome students to speak with engineering professionals and explore the park with supplemental materials. Engineering Day explores the logistics of theme park construction and invites students to understand the detailed mechanics behind the Top Thrill Dragster, while Physics, Science & Math Days allow visitors to see how force, energy and motion dictate the design of roller coasters and flume rides.
SILVER DOLLAR CITY From mathematics to science to industrial technology, high school and middle school students will have the greatest “Kids-UCation” at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. This company provides the perfect blend of education and fun with rides, shows, attractions and hands-on activities. Each curriculum provides different age-specific programs. Middle schoolers will master concepts including roller coaster engineering, budgeting and variables. High schoolers will master order of operations through a program called Silver Dollar City’s Swinging Bridge.
DOLLYWOOD Founded by country music legend Dolly Parton, Dollywood theme park welcomes over three million guests in a typical season and offers thrill rides, musical productions and ample pavilion space for group meals.
Students of every interest can enjoy the park, but teachers looking to add a STEM spin to their Dollywood experience should download the Science in the Park workbook. This material provides lesson plans for teachers that explain basic physics before putting the science into context on Dollywood’s many roller coasters. In the classroom, teachers can present Bernoulli’s Principle to explain flight as well as pitch, roll and yaw to explain basic ride movement. Once in the park, students will ride popular roller coasters such as Thunderhead and Wild Eagle—first for fun, then with a critical physics perspective honed in the classroom. Students are provided with the coasters’ track length, number of turns and top speed. Armed with a stopwatch and formulas, students then calculate G-forces and velocity at various places along the track. Students interested in animal science should also attend the Wings of America Bird Show. Hosted in the Wings of America Theater, the program showcases the incredible survival skills and physical strength of bald eagles, owls and vultures. Teachers can also register for a Birds of Prey experience, a more intimate presentation where American Eagle Foundation keepers discuss the majestic birds’ hunting abilities and take questions from the school-aged audience. ■ STUDENT TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE 2022
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SCHOOL TRIP FUNDRAISING 101
Tips to Maximize Your Efforts and Create the Best Outing for Students By Miles Dobis
W
ith museums, historic sites and performance venues re-opening across the nation, students and educators alike are eager for an out-of-classroom experience. Unfortunately, there have been serious cuts to travel budgets across departments, and the crucial fundraising apparatus for many schools has been decimated due to remote learning over the past two academic years. There is good news—with students back in the classroom, there will likely be a push in your local district to resume fundraising and give your children the experiences they’ve earned. But what are the best methods to fundraise? Below, we explain well-honed approaches and emerging, tech-centric ideas to create the ultimate student fundraiser.
BAKE SALE Bake sales have long been one of the most popular fundraising ideas for schools because, like auctions, they rely on donated products. Bake sales work by having volunteers usually parents or other community members - provide baked goods to then be sold at a community event. A bake sale can be a great opportunity for community bonding, and everyone loves a good brownie or cookie. However, there are several important considerations to make when planning a
school bake sale. You’ll need to organize a sign-up stage and provide clear guidance on what kinds of baked goods you need, that way you end up with a good amount and variety of items. You’ll also need to staff the event and carefully plan your location. Finally, you’ll need to check your local health codes to make sure your bake sale doesn’t break any laws or make anyone sick.
RUNS/JOG-A-THONS Fun runs and jog-a-thons are among the most popular fundraisers across many sectors, not just schools. One of the strengths of this type of fundraiser is that it centers on physical fitness. Participants get the chance to get outdoors and be active in a fun, non-competitive setting. Physical events do have drawbacks to be aware of. Because these events center on physical activity, organizers need to take extra precautions to protect the safety of participants. This may mean providing water or food, setting up nurse stations, and/or having medical staff on hand. And, of course, hosting a physical (in-person) event requires even more precautions while COVID-19 is a threat. Fun runs and other physical activities also require space. You’ll need to carefully plan for the location of your event. Will it be held
on school grounds, or will you need to get permits to hold the event off-campus? Finally, you’ll need to make sure you have enough volunteers on hand the day of the event, including people to set up, supervise, and tear down any physical materials.
AUCTIONS Charity auctions are another tried-and-true fundraising option that can work great for schools—with this type of fundraiser, schools auction off donated items or experiences, using the participants’ bids to supplement the school’s budget. An auction night can help schools raise a lot of money at once while also providing a fun experience for guests (i.e., parents and community members). Schools can choose to host live auctions or silent auctions, in which bidders use bidding sheets or apps to make bids. One advantage of this school fundraising idea is that auctions can easily be adapted to a virtual format, so fundraising bodies don’t have to worry about finding a space to host the event. Or, organizations can choose to implement auction software at a live event to make the process more efficient and convenient. The biggest challenge of hosting an auction for school fundraising is making sure the items or experiences you’re STUDENT TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE 2022
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auctioning are enticing enough to get significant bids. If you’re hosting a live event, you’ll need lots of resources and find auctioneer. Finally, if any part of your auction will occur online, you’ll need to choose the right software and carefully check all technical equipment to make sure the event runs smoothly.
WORK DIRECTLY WITH A SCHOOL FUNDRAISING COMPANY Traditional school fundraising requires hundreds of volunteer hours, from planning to execution to evaluation. Different school fundraising ideas require
different planning and organization steps, and schools typically rely on multiple fundraising efforts at once to meet all their fundraising goals. All of this can put immense strain on volunteers who may be balancing other responsibilities. By partnering with a fundraising company like, you can let the experts handle some of the more time-consuming aspects of your fundraiser, such as planning and execution, so that you can focus on the most important thing: your fundraising goals. In fact, platforms like Booster offer fundraising options that can help you combine multiple goals into one fundraiser to maximize your efforts. Learn
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Charity auctions use participants’ bids on donated items or experiences to supplement the school’s budget.
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more about how Booster can help take your school fundraising to the next level.
CREATE A PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN Even the best-planned fundraiser can’t succeed if people don’t know about it. Today, getting the word out about school fundraisers means taking advantage of all the communication channels available, especially the internet. The following tips can help you spread the word and maximize donations: • Assign someone to head promotion efforts. It’s a good idea to have someone or a group of people in charge of promotion, i.e., planning the promotion efforts, drafting and producing promotional materials, sharing information to social media, etc. • Have a promotional plan. It’s not enough to simply share a few posts the week of an event. Part of the planning process of your fundraiser should include a specific timeline of your promotional efforts, such as how far in advance you will begin promotion, how often you will post on social media or send emails, etc. • Share on social media. Social media is a must when it comes to promoting events these days. Use multiple social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, to gain a wider reach. • Utilize hashtags. When sharing on social media, maximize your reach by using hashtags related to your school, community, or event. • Make promotional campaigns personal. Don’t just share the details and goals of your event - share photos and videos to let donors see who or what they’re supporting. • Reach donors where they are. It’s best to use a variety of communication channels to get the widest reach. Take time to understand who your potential donors are and how they prefer to receive information. You will likely end up combining efforts such as email newsletters, social media posts, brochures, and/or a campaign website, depending on the type of fundraiser. ■
FUNDRAISING BEST PRACTICES
Making the most of a school fundraiser requires careful planning and execution. Below are some best practices for any school fundraising idea
2. Align school fundraising ideas with your goals. Once you’ve determined your fundraising goals, choose school fundraising ideas that will help you best meet those goals. For example, a DIY crowdfunding campaign generally
works best for specific projects, whereas you may be able to use a spirit wear store for general funds. 3. Form a planning committee. Your fundraising body, such as the PTA/ PTO, likely has many fundraising projects to manage throughout the year. It’s important to decide who will be working on what project and when. Within each committee, assign roles and responsibilities carefully so that everyone knows their part. 4. Determine how you will promote the fundraiser. With all the volunteer hours
and resources that go into a successful school fundraiser, it’s crucial to make sure people know about it so that you can actually reap the benefits. Have a plan in place for how you will get the word out about your campaign or even, including brochures, social media, etc. 5. Evaluate the success of the fundraiser. The best way to improve your school fundraisers is to evaluate the successes and failures of past campaigns. After each fundraiser, have the planning committee discuss what worked well and what didn’t and record these discussions for future planning. ■
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1. Identify specific goals. As mentioned above, donors like to know where their money is going. It’s also important to align your fundraising methods with the amount of funds you need. Start by identifying the specific needs the fundraiser will be supporting, whether it’s buying new computers or funding a school trip.
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SHOWCASE
RON JON SURF SHOP— COCOA BEACH DISCOVER SUMMERTIME APPAREL OR PERFORM IN FRONT OF THE ICONIC FLORIDA STOREFRONT
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on Jon Surf Shop was founded in 1959 on the New Jersey shore. After gaining popularity with surfers and beachgoers over the years, the company expanded – opening stores in vacation destinations along the East Coast from Long Beach Island to Cocoa Beach to Key West and beyond. “The Original” Ron Jon Surf Shop opened in Long Beach Island, New Jersey in 1961. Two years later Ron Jon Surf Shop founder, Ron DiMenna, headed to Florida and opened the “One-of-aKind” Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach. Over 60 years later, Ron Jon is an iconic brand that welcomes all of those with a
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passion for summer fun. Your student group can make one-of-a-kind memories when they visit the flagship store in Cocoa Beach. This 52,000-square-foot store is the World’s Largest Surf Shop, and it’s filled with the best selection of surf, skate and beach essentials on earth! If your band, orchestra or choral ensemble is coming to the Orlando area, check out the Performance In Excellence program and perform at the Cocoa Beach store. Performance In Excellence is a unique program that allows elementary, middle and high school performers a place to
show off their talent. It’s great any time of year, especially around holidays and spring break. Ron Jon hosts everything from large marching bands, small choral groups and dance ensembles to perform at the store. They have designated bus parking and an area outside the main entrance in which to perform. After the performance, your group is presented with a commemorative plaque, and each individual receives a Ron Jon fun pack and 15% discount card. Directors receive a gift and 20% discount card. Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach is located just one block from the ocean. Groups only have a short walk to Shepard Park which is equipped with public restrooms, changing areas and pavilions. RON JON SURF SHOP GROUP SALES DEPARTMENT 321-799-8880 EXT. 1048 GRPSALES@RJSS.COM WWW.RONJONSURFSHOP.COM
SHOWCASE
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY LEARN ABOUT THE ARMY’S ROLE IN U.S. HISTORY AND HELP STUDENTS DEVELOP PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS
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ocated in Fort Belvoir outside of Washington, D.C., the National Museum of the United States Army is a state-of-theart space that proudly tells the comprehensive story of America’s oldest military service. An immense 84-acre campus that includes indoor pavilions, theaters and outdoor event spaces, the museum welcomes school groups of all ages with a diverse array of programming. The museum’s permanent exhibits can be found in the Fighting for the Nation Galleries, which include “Founding the Nation” (which explores the origins and formation of the Continental Army),
“Preserving the Nation” (which documents the Army’s role in the Civil War and America’s westward expansion) and the “Global War Gallery” (which portrays the Army’s role in the Allied victory during World War II). Students will also learn about the Army’s participation 21st century conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan in the “Changing World Gallery.” The Experiential Learning Center (ELC) is popular with school groups and offers a unique and immersive learning space where all visitors can develop skills and have fun with geography, science, technology, engineering
and math (G-STEM). At the center’s Fort Discover, students can use imaginative play to climb the Army tower, radio friends, drop cargo supplies, launch a rocket, drive a jeep, serve up chow in the dining facility and check out different uniforms with Camo Camera. The Museum’s animated Army mule mascots, Buckshot and Blackjack, use age-appropriate interactive games to teach children about Army innovations across history such as interstate highways, the Panama Canal and satellite communications. Older students can register for programming at the Training Center, where they can participate in simulation of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations, geospatial intelligence, engineering bridge building and medical support. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY 800-506-2672 CUSTOMERSERVICE@ARMYHISTORY.ORG WWW.THENMUSA.ORG
STUDENT TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE 2022
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SHOWCASE
MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION ENCOURAGE CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS AND HISTORICAL ANALYSIS AT THIS COMPREHENSIVE MUSEUM
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ocated just two blocks from Independence Hall, this Philadelphia attraction tells the story of our nation’s founding through artifacts, theater experiences, digital displays and hands-on activities. Students will enjoy various hands-on stations located throughout the museum. They can mix-and-match pieces of a soldier’s uniform to learn about how soldiers displayed their loyalties; learn about the common soldiers and their families who endured the harsh winter at Valley Forge with flip-doors that explore the complex workings of a war camp; assume George
Washington’s role as president of the Constitutional Convention by sitting in a reproduction of the “Rising Sun” chair; board an 18th century privateer ship; and stand beneath the branches of a life-size recreation of a Liberty Tree. The museum’s flagship program is “Through Their Eyes: Major Causes and Events of the American Revolution.” During this guided in-gallery tour, students and educators are invited to explore this rich and complicated era and its connections to our world today. Through hands-on and virtual encounters with objects, documents and stories, students
will experience the Revolution through the lens of real people of the Revolutionary Era. Teachers can access a comprehensive, sevenlesson packet that encourages students to read primary documents and consider the Revolution from various perspectives. The museum also offers a suite of virtual experiences for grades 4-12. These include “Whose Liberty?” (which follows four African Americans as they seek freedom in Colonial America), “When Women Lost the Vote” (where students learn the development of suffrage) and “Thinking Like a Historian” (which encourages critical thinking). All of these programs encourage students to virtually tour exhibit spaces and select artifacts for closer inspection. MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION GROUP SALES 215-253-6731 GROUPS@AMREVMUSEUM.ORG AMREVMUSEUM.ORG
Experience the Revolution In-Museum and Distance Learning Programs Available
BOOK YOUR VISIT TODAY!
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groups@amrevmuseum.org
AMREVMUSEUM.ORG
SHOWCASE
NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER LEARN ABOUT AMERICAN HISTORY THROUGH INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS AND ENGAGING PROGRAMMING
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he National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. At the National Constitution Center, explore historic milestones in American history and discover how the U.S. Constitution is as important today as it was in 1787. The Center’s must-see exhibits and live performances bring the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages. Experience “Freedom Rising,” a stirring, multimedia theatrical performance; “The
Story of We the People,” an interactive exhibit that celebrates the Constitution’s legacy of freedom; and “Signers’ Hall,” featuring 42 lifesize, bronze statues of the Founding Fathers. The Center’s newest exhibits include “Civil War and Reconstruction: The Battle for Freedom and Equality”—which is the first exhibit in America devoted to exploring how constitutional clashes over slavery set the stage for the Civil War—and “The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote”— which traces the triumphs and struggles that led to the ratification of the 19th Amendment and women’s suffrage.
Middle and high school students can also participate in the Constitutional Ambassadors program: an intellectual, social, and skillsbased educational experience in which middle and high school students learn the basic principles of the U. S. Constitution, see historical documents and priceless artifacts, and experience interactive exhibits and live theater that bring contemporary discussions about the Constitution to life. The program begins in the classroom with the Center’s educational resources, continues with a daylong educational experience at the Center and follows students back to their classrooms, where they can have real-time conversations on constitutional issues. NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER GROUP SALES GINA ROMANELLI 215-409-6695 GROMANELLI@CONSTITUTIONCENTER.ORG WWW.CONSTITUTIONCENTER.ORG
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SHOWCASE
BALTIMORE EXPERIENCE WATERFRONT FUN & BLACK HISTORY IN CHARM CITY
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altimore, Maryland’s famous and picturesque Inner Harbor is rimmed with beloved museums. Students will enjoy the National Aquarium, where you can see 20,000 different animals in award-winning habitats, including a tropical rainforest and an Australian river gorge. Interested in maritime history? Docked along the edges of the Inner Harbor are the Historic Ships In Baltimore’s floating museums. Take a tour of the U.S.S. Constellation, built in 1854 by the U.S. Navy and now holding court as the only surviving ship from the Civil War. Nearby, find three additional ships and a lighthouse that all detail marine experiences between the mid1800s and the 1980s.
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Got budding scientists on your hands? Across the harbor from the Aquarium sits the Maryland Science Center, where three floors of science-focused demonstrations thrill kids and grown-ups alike. Hands-on exhibits explore the solar system, the human body and more. If your students are interested in visual art, the Baltimore Art Museum (BAM) houses the world’s largest collection of works by Henri Matisse as well as pieces by masters such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Auguste Rodin and Alexander Calder. Additionally, Baltimore boasts a wealth of Black cultural attractions, including museums, monuments and historic sites, that celebrate our African American heritage. Students can visit the National Great Blacks
In Wax Museum, the only wax museum in the country dedicated to African Americans. The Reginald F. Lewis Museum which showcases history and accomplishments of Maryland African Americans. And the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park Museum which celebrates the legacy of Frederick Douglass, a famous writer and abolitionist who escaped slavery in Baltimore. You can also celebrate the legacy of a literary icon at the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum. Stop by and tour the place where Poe put pen to paper. Have a specific question you need answered? Please feel free to call us at 1-877-BALTIMORE or 1-877-225-8466. Or contact Eric Masterton. VISIT BALTIMORE ERIC MASTERTON DIRECTOR OF TOURISM 410-659-7090 EMASTERTON@BALTIMORE.ORG
SHOWCASE
PIGEON FORGE PERFORM FOR DOLLYWOOD GUESTS AND LEARN ABOUT THE BIODIVERSITY OF THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS
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t all starts with location. Pigeon Forge is tucked in at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains which provide the perfect backdrop for any event, no matter the season. There is also the opportunity to make the trip educational. Many Pigeon Forge attractions offer curriculums, including topics such as physics, zoology, geography and history, that can be incorporated into a classroom setting prior to or after your visit. And, you can always explore one of America’s largest classrooms – Great Smoky Mountains National Park – aided by lesson plans available at www.nps.gov/teachers. After a full day at your event, it’s great to relax and have some fun. Pigeon
Forge is filled with attractions, theaters, restaurants and more that offer a variety of ways to have fun, for both your students and you. Pigeon Forge features Dollywood Theme Park which has more than 50 rides and attractions and can serve as a great performance venue for school bands or choirs. The Island in Pigeon Forge is a walkable destination that offers over 70 shops, restaurants, a 200-foot-tall observation wheel, a ropes course and other unique experiences. Pigeon Forge is also home to The Titanic Museum Attraction, Pink Jeep Tours, water parks, mountain coasters, plenty of theaters and shows, miniature golf, indoor snow tubing, and more.
The variety of lodging options for any group is astounding. Pigeon Forge offers hotels, condos, cabins of all sizes and other options that you may consider. It’s one of the often-overlooked perks of our destination. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding a great place to stay. Every venue in Pigeon Forge is equipped to fulfill your needs to guarantee a successful gathering. That is because Pigeon Forge offers unforgettable southern hospitality to every group. The staffs at the city’s different facilities know all too well how to take care of their groups and go above and beyond to ensure your trip is a success.
PIGEON FORGE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM 865-453-8574 INFO@MYPIGEONFORGE.COM WWW.MYPIGEONFORGE.COM
ACTUALLY, YOU CAN PLEASE ALL THE PEOPLE ALL THE TIME.
Inspire miles of smiles for your tour group with hundreds of unique attractions conveniently located in one beautiful mountain town. Stunning views, shows, Dollywood, down-home cooking, arts, crafts and much more make us a destination to remember.
PigeonForgeTours.com
1-800-285 -7557 STUDENT TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE 2022
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ITINERARY
Tour Tennessee is the best value in travel packages for student groups. They offer itineraries that pass through the Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville and Memphis, and they can connect you with services and attractions that are otherwise unavailable to groups. Below is a sample of their Smoky Mountain Student Adventure, a 4-day, 3-night package that includes live music, thrilling attractions and delicious meals.
TOUR TENNESSEE DAY 1 Arrive in the Smoky Mountains and spend the afternoon at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg. It is literally teeming with life, with over 10,000 exotic sea creatures and 350 individual species. Traveling on moving glide paths, visitors enter the ocean realm and come face-to-face with thousands of fascinating fishes like barracudas, jellyfish and sharks. Your visit will include a Penguin Encounter, where students meet the aquarium’s most adorable creatures and interact with one of the playful penguins from the state-of-the-art indoor/outdoor habitat. Check into Country Cascades Waterpark Resort in Pigeon Forge for a three-night stay before watching the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud – an evening of feudin’, feastin’ and family fun as these two families settle their differences mountain-style. Following your dinner show, head to Country Tonite Theatre for a fast-paced production that blends dynamic singing and dancing, side-splitting comedy, powerful gospel music and American patriotism.
DAY 2
TOUR TENNESSEE
1-877-687-7622 www.TourTennessee.com
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After breakfast, start at the Titanic Museum, a tribute to the ship and the 2,208 passengers and crew. First class maids and a variety of officers and crew members bring the stories of the fabled ship and its fascinating passengers to life by retelling their stories in vivid, dramatic detail. Enjoy lunch at the Timberwood Grill at The Island, and there will be time for a ride on the Wheel and explore the Island. Next, you visit Alcatraz East. Explore American history from a different perspective in five unique
STUDENT TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE 2022
galleries that burrow deep into criminal profiles, the penal system, victims’ stories, crime prevention, forensic science, law enforcement and our justice system across 100 interactive displays. The afternoon features mini golf at Crave Golf Club, a unique candy-themed mini golf attraction that offers inside and outside courses. After dinner at the Mellow Mushroom, head to Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud & Adventure Park. See an authentic Lumberjack Competition between the feuding Dawson and McGraw families across 13 competitive lumberjack events that include axe throwing, chopping, sawing, speed climbing and log rolling. After the show, explore the New Lumberjack Adventure Park where you can try your own lumberjack competition and safely try your hand at some of the same events performed by the professional lumberjacks.
DAY 3 Begin your morning at Great Smoky Mountains National Park to admire its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture. Afterwards, head to Dollywood Theme Park. Enjoy live stage shows, watch master craftspeople at work and ride thrilling attractions in the Wildwood Grove area. A lunch voucher will be included today with your visit. Conclude your itinerary at the Pirates Voyage Dinner Show, where students join Captain Blackbeard and his quartermaster Calico Jack as they lead the Crimson and Sapphire crews in an epic battle for lost treasure on land, on deck, in water and high above full-sized pirate ships in a 15-foot-deep indoor hideaway lagoon.
1-877-687-7622 TOURTENNESSEE.COM
SHOWCASE
FRIENDS OF FLIGHT 93 NATIONAL MEMORIAL DISCUSS THE HORRORS AND HEROISM OF 9/11 AND EXPERIENCE THE MEMORIAL IN-PERSON OR VIRTUALLY
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n September 11, 2001, the courageous actions of 40 passengers and crew members on United Flight 93 prevented a terrorist attack on the U.S. Capitol during one of the darkest days in American history. Those heroes are forever honored at the Flight 93 National Memorial, a protected area located near Shanksville and overseen by the National Park Service. The memorial’s stark, minimal design is intended to prompt reflection, and visitors are encouraged to walk through preserved natural areas. After learning more about the historic ramifications of 9/11 at the Visitor Center,
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groups step on a black granite walkway through stark concrete Portal Walls that draw the eye skyward and have the timeline of Flight 93 etched on their surface. Once passing through, groups can view the crash site, marked by a 17-ton sandstone boulder, the hemlock grove and the Wall of Names that honors the passengers and crew. Visitors can also admire the Tower of Voices (a monumental structure that contains 40 wind chimes) and walk along the Allée to see beautiful native species. If your school group is visiting in-person, a park ranger can lead students through the
park to discuss the design of the memorial, the timeline of events on 9/11 and the environmental initiatives taken to preserve rural Pennsylvania’s natural pollinators. The Friends of Flight 93 has also developed educational activities that engage students in grade levels 4-14. These activities include a lesson on the story of Flight 93 followed by short, mini-activities that can be either paper-based or digital. They also offer comprehensive Google Classroom modules that contain multimedia presentations for a virtual experience. Virtual Classroom Walk 93 is another good educational option for remote educators. This immersive experience integrates video and the written word to expose students to 9/11 history and the memorial’s environmental initiatives. FRIENDS OF FLIGHT 93 NATIONAL MEMORIAL 814-893-6322 FLIGHT93FRIENDS.ORG
REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR CURRICULUM WITH LIVING HISTORY
Get out of the classroom and into history with a field trip to Colonial Williamsburg. History lives here and your students will never forget it. Roam through 18th-century America. Meet the patriots and be inspired by the moments of our independence. We offer a variety of options for dining, lodging and tours. Book your school or youth group trip today: call 1-800-228-8878, email groupsales@cwf.org, visit colonialwilliamsburg.org/grouptours