This article is sponsored by EF Explore America, the leader in domestic student travel, helping teachers and students discover the world through immersive educational travel.
Many teachers say the “aha/lightbulb moment” when a student truly grasps the content makes all the stress of the job worth it. Educational travel increases those moments significantly as lessons come to life in a way that just can’t happen in a classroom. Learning about the branches of the government, US history, or the election process is much easier to understand when walking along Capital Hill, visiting the White House, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, or the many war memorials around the nation’s capital. As we continue to navigate the uncharted waters of pandemic learning, now is actually the perfect time to start planning a class trip for 2022. It will give students and teachers something positive to focus on and serve as a reminder that these difficult times won’t last forever. For any teacher who would love to take their students on an experience they’ll never forget, we have some good news! Our friends over at EF Explore America are the leaders in educational class trips and for several good reasons. They provide teachers with amazing support every step of the process. Whether you have no idea where to start or have specific desires, they have all the resources teachers need to start planning and even what to do after the trip. Here are some more reasons you’ll want to book your class trip with EF Explore America.
$500 Travel Scholarships for Students!
EF Explore America is giving $500 travel scholarships for students to see Washington D.C. in 2022! Yes, all students who enroll in a 2022 tour to or passing through the nation’s capital qualify for the scholarship. Spend the whole tour in D.C. or see it in conjunction with a New York City or Eastern Seaboard tour. How cool is that?
Why You Should Take Your Students to Visit Washington D.C.
There are so many great reasons to visit Washington D.C.:
- It’s the center of American politics.
- Connect with U.S. history through dozens of museums, monuments, and memorials.
- Take a stroll on Capitol Hill.
- Experience the history, traditions, art, and food of other cultures.
- See the White house.
- Check out the International Spy Museum or the National Law Enforcement Museum.
Benefits for teachers that book a class trip:
Class trips are great for teachers, too!
- Teachers can travel free with EF Explore America! Not only is the class trip free for teachers, they also get a free training tour in the city of their trip, to help them prepare before taking their students later.
- For every 10 students enrolled, an additional chaperone can be added free.
- Teachers can earn college credits.
- Tours can be customized for your group’s interests or needs.
- EF Explore America makes planning simple by providing individualized support every step of the way. This includes strategies on getting admins on board, working with students and their parents to answer questions, providing payment plans, documenting dietary preferences, and so much more.
- Travel scholarships for students make it easier for more of your class to travel with you.
- Travel gives the teacher a huge amount of material for lesson plans before and after the trip.
- EF Explore America wants parents, teachers, and students to feel safe and confident in traveling with them, so they offer the following risk-free planning options:
- Risk-free Enrollment Period: Take advantage of the $500 travel scholarship now without worry because EF Explore America offers a risk-free enrollment period. If you change your mind for any reason, you can get a full refund through May 1, 2021.
- Peace of Mind Program: Sometimes a group’s travel plans can change due to unforeseen circumstances (such as an unexpected State championship game, hurricane…or pandemic). The Peace of Mind Program allows groups flexibility when life gets in the way of their original plans.
- Travel Protection Plan: Tour cancellation coverage is available to all individual travelers. It can be purchased at the time of enrollment or up to 75 days of departure.
Why book your next class trip with EF Explore America?
Here are just a few other reasons EF Explore America is the way to go when planning class trips:
- Trips are customizable. Build a trip that matches the goals for your class. These aren’t one-size-fits-all cookie-cutter trips. They can be adapted for any subject area. Math and science teachers can enjoy STEM tours focused on topics like robotics, conservation, and renewable energy. Social studies and language arts teachers will love their tours that dive into the culture, food, art, history, and daily lives of the local people. Want to give your students a hands-on volunteer experience while learning and playing? Try out one of their service learning tours.
- Human connection is at the core. We learn more about history when we’re able to personally connect it to other people. EF Explore America offers exclusive opportunities to make these connections. For example, your students can meet actual veterans at war memorials in Washington D.C., or 9/11 survivors in New York City.
- The itineraries are compelling. EF Explore America wants students (and teachers) to learn, but also have fun! This shows in their unique itinerary selection. Sure, you’ll go to the major landmarks where students can grab their Instagram shots, but you’ll also explore spots off the beaten path. Students really get to see the hearts of cities, including meeting the people who live there, instead of just visiting the major tourist attractions.
- 21st-century technology is embraced. Technology is a huge part of life for kids today, so why fight it? EF Explore America uses technology to enhance tours in thoughtful ways so group leaders aren’t constantly nagging, “Put your phones away!”
5 Reasons to start planning a class trip NOW:
- Learning occurs naturally in a hands-on way that can’t happen in a classroom, through a book, or by watching videos.
- Travel teaches children to be navigators, explorers, adventurers, and problem-solvers.
- Creativity is sparked when visiting new places.
- Planning travel is good for mental health.
- There’s currently a $500 travel scholarship on the table!
We want to see your adventures! Make sure to tag @Bored_Teachers when you take your class trip! Get your planning started HERE.