At Plymouth Public Schools, we believe learning extends far beyond the walls of the classroom. Through a wide range of travel opportunities, we strive to provide our students with experiences that enrich their education, foster personal growth, and open their eyes to the world around them. These opportunities are designed to enhance students' academic, social, and emotional development, preparing them to be engaged, informed, and empathetic global citizens.

Purpose of Travel

The purpose of these travel opportunities is to allow students to engage in hands-on learning, build critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and connect with diverse communities. Whether traveling locally or internationally, these trips expose students to different cultures, histories, and perspectives, helping them to develop a deeper understanding of the world. Each travel experience is carefully designed to complement our curriculum, offering students real-world applications of their classroom lessons.

Types of Travel Opportunities:

Local Field Trips

Local field trips provide students with the chance to explore nearby historical sites, museums, nature reserves, and other educational destinations. These trips are designed to support classroom learning by giving students the opportunity to interact with their environment in meaningful ways. Local trips often serve as the foundation for developing a sense of place and community, while also sparking curiosity and a love for lifelong learning. These trips provide an opportunity for hands-on learning, increased engagement and exposure to local culture and history. Students gain a deeper understanding of their community and environment, while building curiosity and problem-solving skills.

Out-of-State Field Trips

Out-of-state field trips offer students a chance to explore regions beyond their local area, often focusing on places of historical, cultural, or scientific significance. These trips provide students with a broader perspective on national events and trends, offering a firsthand look at landmarks and key sites that relate to their academic studies. These opportunities provide exposure to new geographic areas, learning about national history and culture, broadening horizons. Students develop a stronger appreciation for the diversity of the United States and a deeper connection to their nation’s history and culture.

Regional and National Academic Competitions

These trips involve students traveling to participate in academic competitions, such as Skills USA, DECA, debate tournaments, math contests, and robotics challenges. Competing on a regional or national level allows students to showcase their academic abilities, learn from peers, and gain confidence in their intellectual pursuits. Such competition encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills. As a result of their participation, students demonstrate increased academic achievement, foster resilience in competitive environments, and develop a passion for their field of study.

Cultural Exchange Programs

Cultural exchange programs are designed to immerse students in different cultural environments, promoting understanding, tolerance, and respect for diversity. Students participating in these exchanges may travel to domestic or international destinations, staying with host families or engaging in community activities. This immersive cultural learning experience helps students  develop cross-cultural communication skills and personal growth through exposure to new perspectives. Students become more open-minded and globally aware, fostering empathy and understanding.

Service Learning Trips

Service learning trips combine travel with community service, allowing students to contribute to meaningful projects while exploring new environments. These trips can take students to both local and international locations, where they work on projects that address community needs such as environmental sustainability, public health, education, or social justice. Service learning promotes civic responsibility, teamwork, and empathy, while also addressing real-world issues. Students gain a sense of accomplishment and develop leadership skills, while learning the importance of giving back to the community.

International Education Excursions

International education excursions provide students with opportunities to travel abroad and immerse themselves in the culture, history, and language of another country. These trips typically include guided tours, visits to cultural and historical landmarks, and educational activities that complement classroom lessons. International travel promotes global exposure, a deeper understanding of world history, language learning, and cultural appreciation. Students become more globally literate and culturally competent, developing skills that are essential in an interconnected world.

Additional Travel Opportunities

Our district also offers specialized trips such as:

• Environmental Expeditions: Focusing on sustainability and conservation efforts.

• Leadership Conferences: Providing students with opportunities to develop leadership and team-building skills in a collaborative setting.

• Sports and Athletic Competitions: Traveling to represent the school in regional and national sporting events.

• Arts and Performance Tours: For students involved in music, drama, and visual arts, traveling to attend workshops, performances, competitions and exhibitions.

Supporting Students and Families Financially

We understand that financial barriers can sometimes prevent students from taking part in these enriching experiences. That’s why our district works diligently to provide support to ensure all students have the opportunity to participate in travel opportunities. We offer a variety of financial assistance programs, including:

• Scholarships and Grants: Available for students in need, based on both financial need and academic merit.

• Fundraising Support: Our school community actively participates in fundraising initiatives to help offset travel costs.

• Payment Plans: We offer flexible payment options to make it easier for families to manage travel-related expenses.

Additionally, our district partners with local businesses, foundations, and community organizations to provide funding and resources to make these experiences accessible to every student, regardless of their financial situation.

Travel is an invaluable part of our students' education at Plymouth Public Schools. These experiences not only enhance academic learning but also foster important life skills such as empathy, resilience, and global awareness. We are committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of their financial background, has the chance to take part in these transformative opportunities. Together, we are shaping the leaders of tomorrow—leaders who are informed, compassionate, and ready to make a positive impact on the world.

We encourage all students and families to take advantage of these opportunities and reach out to our building or district’s leaders for more information on how to get involved.

Policy IJOAA: International Trips and Student Excursions

This form must be completed in addition to the Field Trip Form when there is a request for an international trip or student excursion that is selective or optional for students.

Sample Application for Excursions and Other Student Trips