How to Pay for the School Trip

The early months of 2020 wreaked havoc with our economy. Many of us are still trying to find our financial footing. When it’s time for your child to travel, you may wonder how to pay for the school trip. We don’t want our kids to miss out on the opportunity to experience the world. At the same time, we need to be comfortable with our budgets. How do we find the balance?

Grants and Scholarships

Stellar Student Scholarship

The Stellar Student Scholarship is a 100% paid Kaleidoscope Adventures trip for a qualified student. This is someone who has demonstrated leadership among peers, an improvement in academic or performance skills, or simply needs a financial helping hand. The Stellar Student Scholarship recognizes one outstanding student’s achievements and gives him/her a chance to experience the world beyond the classroom.

Students are eligible for a Stellar Student Scholarship based on simple criteria. Students must be:

registered for his/her school trip with Kaleidoscope Adventures

in good academic standing with his/her school

active in community service projects or volunteer activities

actively working to fund the trip through other means

For more information on the Stellar Student program, click here.

Ripley Hunter “World Is A Classroom” Essay Contest

This scholarship is offered through the Student Youth Foundation (SYF).  It’s open to any student currently enrolled in a secondary public or private academic institution (grades 9-12). Students submit an essay describing the impact of travel on their lives. Scholarships of up to $1,500 are available.

Student Youth Foundation Scholarships

Road Scholarship

Groups or individuals demonstrating financial need can apply for a Road Scholarship through the Student Youth Foundation. SYF’s goal is to “make a positive difference, through travel, in the young lives of our global citizens” and the Road Scholarship program has awarded funding to more than 7,200 youth. Check the SYF website for more information and application criteria.

Fundraising

Fundraising is a great way to help offset the cost of student travel and there are many options available. You can fundraise as a group or as an individual depending on what works best for you.

Get creative and involve your community.  Plan a car wash, organize a rummage sale or plan a food truck event.  Host a performance that’s open to all or schedule a book swap.  There are so many ways to make your fundraising efforts organic.  Read on for some innovative ideas to raise money for the class trip.

Fun Fundraising Ideas

Fundraising for the Class Trip

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a relatively new, online alternative for raising funds for the student trip. It allows you to collect small amounts of money from large numbers of people online. Crowdfunding sites let tour groups collect and organize donations from people they know (friends, family, etc.).  More importantly, they also reach those outside their inner circles (think businesses looking to donate to a good cause). Creating a group campaign in this way helps to ease the pressures of individual fundraising while working toward a financial goal.

Crowdfunding for the Student Trip

We can all use a helping hand as we think about how to pay for the school trip. Student travel can strain our wallets, but the learning experience is priceless!