2022 Student Travel Planning Guide

2022 Edition

The 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.