Student Travel: Opportunities Abound.

Many parents are coming to expect school-sponsored travel as part of their child's middle school or high school experience. This growth in student travel provides valuable opportunities for tour providers.

Experiences make the trip.

Often, students seek performance opportunities with their bands and choirs; cultural experiences, such as homestays or visits to local schools; and educational experiences, which might include museums, historic sites, and science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) programming at zoos, science centers, aquariums, and amusement parks. From Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, many museums that might seem more fun than academic have exceptional educational programming.

Establish expectations.

Work with the teacher leading the trip to establish student and chaperone expectations, and to communicate to parents what they can expect from you as tour provider. Use your expertise to help teachers anticipate what they'll need to address pre-trip with their students, such as dress code, technology usage, security issues, and cultural norms.

For more information, including museum and entertainment suggestions, and the Student and Youth Travel Association's favorites, click here to read this article in the digital edition of Groups Today.

Photo courtesy of National Aquarium.