Summer’s here!  But just because the sun is high in the sky, it doesn’t mean kids can’t continue learning, while enjoying the experience.  At Junior Tours, we’ve been creating trips and excursions that make education fun since 1967, including summer camp.

Our top summer camp educational trips in 2017 is a window into some of what’s available to young people keen to continue learning over the summer months.  There’s something for everyone and the diversity of experience will amaze you.

Language immersion.

Summertime keeners interested in learning a new language will be thrilled to know there’s a summer camp dedicated to just that.  With the world becoming increasingly small, young people who speak more than one language enjoy greater opportunities.

Concordia Language Villages offer 1 week and 6 week options for immersion learning, through the end of August.  Based in Moorhead, MN, students are treated to cultural as well as linguistic experiences.  Issued passports, camper are also given names which reflect the language they’re learning.

Kids can choose immersion in 15 languages, from Japanese to Arabic.

For budding diplomats.

In the Catskill Mountains, kids can learn diplomatic skills at the model United Nations camp.  With 3 1-week sessions offered between July 21 and August 10, students interact with professors and peace corps volunteers to learn about international relations and how they’re effectively managed.

With a different theme each week, students will connect with complex themes in diplomacy, from combating cyber warfare to global access to medical care.

Participants also enjoy a simulation of the World Trade Organization, in which such weighty matters are discussed on the international level.

Game and app design for the geeks.

Geek is the new mogul and kids with their dreams set on the world of coding and computing will fit right in at the National Computer Camps.

On three campuses located in Fairfield, CT, Atlanta, GA and Cleveland, OH, classes take place on various dates during the month of July.  Campers will learn how to produce 2D and 3D games, design an app for the Android mobile device and create digital videos.

Coding certification courses are also available for older, or more computer savvy campers.

Space – the final frontier.

Space Camp in Huntsville, AL runs from the beginning of June through the end of August.  Among it’s alumni are NASA astronauts.

Drawing on STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering and math), students aged 9 to 18 learn to apply these within the context of the space program, with practical hands-on experiences.  They’ll also have an opportunity to apply their analytical skills to space mission findings and participate in simulations of mission control.

Junior Tours creates outstanding educational experiences for students.  Founded by a teacher, we’re committed to combining learning with fun, offering student groups exceptional trips and tours, tailored to educator vision.

These top summer camp educational trips in 2017 express some of the best learning opportunities available at US summer camps, but they’re just the tip of the iceberg.  Contact us.  Junior Tours makes the world your classroom.

Teachers are busy people.  Often, they’re overwhelmed by the demands of the job, which is absorbing, rewarding and exhausting in equal measure.  Doing a yeoman’s work both inside and outside the classroom, it makes sense that teachers source professional support when organizing a travel experience for their students. So, are educational travel services essential for teachers? 

At Junior Tours, we believe that to be the case.  Our company was established by a teacher who knew all about the demands of educating young people, so he envisioned a resource to support educational goals with a superior travel service.

50 years of excellence.        

Since 1967, Junior Tours has been bringing educators excellence in student trips and tours.  We’re celebrating 50 years of service in the sector, bringing teachers and students the very best in educational travel services.

For any curriculum, Junior Tours offers outstanding support for tours encompassing both learning and enjoyment, creating experiences for students they’ll talk about for years to come.

While you’re enjoying your tour with your students and helping them absorb as much as they possibly can, we’re taking care of the details.  We keep your itinerary on track, offering you a dedicated Tour Escort who’s with your 24 hours a day for the duration of your tour.

Professionally trained, our Tour Escorts sweat the small stuff, while you teach and support your students.

Only the very best.

Because we’ve been around for 50 years, Junior Tours brings you the very best in accommodations, offering you centralized, secure, premium hotels where you’ll rest easy after a long day of exploration and learning.

Every detail of your educational tour is planned with attention to detail, ensuring your students derive the most benefit, as we get you where you want to be.  Your ground, air and rail transportation is all taken care of, so you and your group ride in comfort.

Chaperones join your group free of charge, with one chaperone for every 20 students.  If that doesn’t work for you, we’ll recalibrate the ratio to ensure you get exactly what you need.

Junior Tours will customize your adventure to include workshops, museum visits, or excursions to other attractions that add educational interest and excitement to your tour.

Premium educational services.

We know teachers give their all to educating their young charges, so we offer premium educational services that honor your hard work.

Your educational goals are honored with personalized planning that gives your students a unique and detailed window into the subject of your tour.  From history to fashion, languages to business, we match your vision to tailored educational experiences your students will never forget.

Are educational travel services essential for teachers?  The people at Junior Tours know that a professionally planned and executed tour brings your students the very best learning experience available.

With 50 years of excellence behind us, we’re ready to create an unforgettable educational adventure for you and your students that will enhance your teaching objectives and cement student learning with exceptional experiences.

Contact us for a free quote and sample itinerary.

Because Junior Tours was founded by a teacher in 1967, we know educators are looking for a student tour provider capable of fulfilling the needs of a wide variety of curricular interests.

Diversity is something we’re proud to offer teachers and students, with a wide range of destinations, featuring points of interest that cover all the educational bases.

From history to fashion, we’ve got you covered.  But we go further than bringing diversity to student tours.  We bring fine personalization that speaks to educator vision and student interests, customizing itineraries to your specifications.

Everything under the sun.

For students who plan on a career in the business world, our tours to New York City, Chicago and Atlanta put them in the center of the action.

From Wall Street to the Atlanta headquarters of CNN, to Chicago’s bustling business district, students discover how businesses operate at the very highest level.  With visits to attractions that inform and support their budding vocation, we take them directly to the top of the ladder.

Language students can find their feet in an immersive experience in Montreal, Quebec, where French has been spoken since the city’s founding.  The Cajun version of French can be encountered among local people in New Orleans, LA, where the language was brought by Acadians settlers, after leaving Canada.

The rich and vibrant history of the USA is all around us, but a tour with Junior is a living encounter, placing students on the battlefields of the Civil War at Gettysburg, or at the site of the Boston Tea Party in a city alive with the American story.

No matter what your students are studying, or what your educational goals are for them, Junior Tours’ extensive experience in the realm of educational travel shows your students what they need to see, as you enjoy a seamlessly executed tour.

The best of everything.

You, your students and chaperones (who join us free of charge) travel in comfort, with reliable air, rail and bus transportation, round trip.  There’s no need to rely on public transportation (unless that’s part of the experience you’re planning).  We’ll organize ground transportation for you, at your destination of choice.

Because of our long tenure in the sector, we have strong relationships with accommodations providers.  Central, with first class amenities, our roster of deluxe hotel providers sees your group enjoying a great night’s sleep once your busy day is done.

Junior Tours’ professionally trained Tour Escorts are with you and your group 24/7, bringing you destination expertise, energetic leadership and itinerary management that frees you to enjoy the adventure.

At Junior Tours, we offer student tours for any curriculum, customized to the needs and interests of your group.  When you go with Junior, you go with the very best.

We’re committed to offering educators and students exceptional educational tours that bring your curriculum to life.  With first class logistics and professional on-tour support, your group is treated to outstanding comfort, reliability and educational value you won’t find elsewhere.

Contact us for a free quote and sample itinerary.

A key challenge for many parents is finding the funds to send their kids on a school trip.  But the great thing about fundraising for school trips is that it teaches kids important lessons about the economic realities of travel, as well as team work, cooperation and how to talk to people about contributing to their cause.

So, this post is dedicated to 5 great ways for kids to raise money for a school trip, including both new-fangled and old-fangled ways of raising the funds you need.

Old School fundraising.

There’s nothing like a bake sale, car wash, or yard sale to bring the parents to the schoolyard.  These traditional methods of raising funds for school trips gets everyone involved, bringing the community into the fold in common cause.

Parents can team up with their kids, creating a unique dynamic in which everyone puts their shoulder to the wheel to get the job done.  It’s a great lesson for kids and brings parents to the party in a real and positive way that makes a huge difference, cash wise and community wise.

Crowdfunding.

Crowdfunding is an exciting, new-fangled way to raise money for all manner of projects.  It can work for your school trip, too.  At Junior Tours, we particularly like the resource FundRazr.  It’s easy and free.

Your group gets a website to explain how the funds will go toward its school trip – a unique educational experience for them.  They (and parents), will have the opportunity to use social media like Facebook and Twitter to solicit funds.  It’s a fundraising technique ripe with outreach, consciousness-raising and learning opportunities.

Events.

Connect with a local business to create an event that invites the community to join the effort.  Find a business in the community that’s willing to match donated funds for greater impact.

The event might be a coffee house or a picnic, with a silent auction.  Inviting community and business participation raises your group’s and your school’s profile, as well.  You can even involve the trip participants in putting together a media release to alert local press and radio.

F2F.

F2F (face-to-face fundraising) is proven to be one of the most effective ways to raise money for any cause.  Organize your kids to go door to door, targeting neighbourhoods in the school’s catchment.  Kids at the door with a burning passion for going on an educational trip can net your group a very good source of funds.

While they’re door knocking, they’re learning lessons about persuasion and comportment that will serve them well in life.

Scratch cards.

Junior Tours proposes scratch cards as a high return fundraising strategy.  For 10 cents per card, students can offer these to friends and family.  Each box on the cards represents a donation of between .10 cents and $3.00, with each card rendering $150 in funds, once all boxes have been scratched off.

Since 1967, Junior Tours has been offering outstanding student educational travel experiences.  Contact us to request a free quote and sample itinerary.

Teachers are one of the most crucial pillars in our society.  They identify the vocations of young people by getting to know them and sharing knowledge with them.  They work overtime to make sure their students are getting what they need to succeed in life. That’s quite a commission to fulfill.

But we’re going to share a secret with you:  teachers are the best travelers!  We’ve seen this truth borne out repeatedly, in our 5 decades of taking student groups on educational tours.

So, what makes teachers the best travelers?  Let’s find out.

Planning.

A skilled teacher knows that well-structured education lies in the planning.  While most of us have our feet up, teachers are planning lessons within an overarching framework of educational goals realized over time.

Teachers have a limited amount of classroom time to get to their educational goals and know how to use that time economically.  Planning is key to reaching their goals for students.

Education is a journey.  So, when teachers travel, they apply the same principles to their excursion that they do in the classroom.  They plan to get the most from every day.  They pack for contingencies and do so sparingly.

Curiosity.

Teachers across the K12 spectrum share a key quality – curiosity.  They’re not only curious about the world around them.  They’re curious about how their students will respond to what they’re teaching.  There’s a give and take in teaching in which the instructor is often instructed.  This is one of the most exciting aspects of teaching.

That same curiosity is part of what makes teachers the best travelers.  They’re as wide-eyed with fascination as their students are.  With the pool of knowledge they command, they have the ability to see beneath the surface of things and glean from travel experiences something richer and more valuable.

People skills.

Every successful traveler can interact effortlessly with the people they meet along the way.  Teachers are uniquely suited to this key aspect of travel because they’re working with hundreds of students, every year.

Those students turn over, from grade to grade and so, the teacher acclimatizes to new faces and personalities as a way of life.

Travel demands openness.  At the same time, savvy travelers assess people and situations honestly and quickly.  Teachers do that every day with their students.

They finesse conflicts, settle restlessness and interact with students where they stand.   People skills are at the heart of good teaching and they serve teachers when they venture out into the world to travel.

What makes teachers the best travelers?  A combination of qualities that creates success in the classroom.  Planning, curiosity, and people skills are three of the most uniformly desirable traits in educators.

They’re also three of the most desirable traits in travelers, when you think about it.

Junior Tours – the teacher’s educational tour provider.

At Junior, we work with teachers from all 50 States.  Founded by a teacher, we create unique educational tours that work from educator goals.  Contact us for an itinerary and quote.

The tour is booked and the fundraising machine has sputtered into life.  Now that you know where you’re going, who’s coming and what you need to get there, your next move is to plan the perfect itinerary, offering your students an exceptional educational experience.

There are so many things to consider when selecting a student tour itinerary.  Here’s a brief overview that will serve to guide you, moving forward.

Identifying your logistical needs.

A lot depends on who’s in your group, how they relate to one another and what they’re up to.  If your group is active, you’ll be able to feature much more in the way of strenuous walking tours and perhaps outings with outdoor recreation, for example.

How your group of students relate to one another is an important consideration when assigning rooms with your tour provider.  You don’t want to put people in a room together who don’t get along.  Knowing your students well is your best defense against unfortunate personality conflicts, in this respect.

Under the rubric of “knowing your students”, you’ll also find key logistical considerations like dietary needs, including flood allergies.  Make sure your tour operator is aware of these, so they can make your accommodations provider aware.

Learning goals.

Educators have a clear vision of what they want their students to learn on their tour.  Discussing learning objectives with your operator will provide important information to craft the best itinerary possible with respect to your goals.

Everything on a student tour isn’t about strict programming.  Allowing your student opportunities to experience the culture of your destination (and the language, where appropriate) can provide a rich learning context they’ll benefit from for the rest of their lives.

Make sure your operator is aware of your vision in as much detail as possible and watch your dream itinerary unfold in expert hands.

The road less travelled.

While the beaten track will offer your students the chance to experience iconic sights and historical monuments, the road less travelled is often just as instructive, if not more so.

Consider offering students the chance to see something out of the ordinary.  Your tour operator can fill you in on offbeat locations at your destination that will dazzle your students, making them feel like they’re in on a secret no one else knows.

Making time to take time.

Remember to schedule down time and fun time, as well as educational content.  The more diverse your itinerary is, the more fun your students are going to have.

They’re young people.  While you need to provide them with rich learning experiences, you also want to build fun and rest into your itinerary.

Junior Tours – the itinerary builders.

At Junior Tours, we’ve been building memorable itineraries for student tours since 1967.  This brief overview of things to consider when selecting a student tour itinerary is just the start.

When you go with Junior, you go with the best.  Contact us for a quote and sample itinerary.  We’re the experts who put the world at your feet.

The tour is planned.  The students are excited.  But young people may have never had the opportunity to experience travel.  Packing is a whole new world to them.  Sometimes, your young charges need some good advice, when it comes to packing what they need on a student trip.

We’re offering these smart packing tips for student travel in 2017 as a service to educators and parents planning a student trip.  Feel free to print them off and offer them to your students as part of the total student travel experience.

What do I really need?

Experienced travellers know that smart packing is economical packing.  Pack what you really need.  We know that’s a tall order when you’re excited about going somewhere you’ve never been, but we can’t stress it enough.

Do you need those towering heels?  Probably not.  You’re going to be walking – a lot.  Towering heels may look snazzy, but they’re not very practical for travel.  Comfortable footwear is what you want.  One pair of dressier shoes and one pair of rugged walking shoes are probably enough, depending on the climate.

And that is key.  Take into consideration the climate of the place you’re travelling to and the season and pack accordingly.

Keep it versatile.

Because you’re packing economically, you need to think about how your clothes go together.  Choose items that mix and match well and are durable.

For example, jeans go with everything, but you’ll also need dress pants/a skirt for less casual occasions.  Remember to include items like sweaters, t-shirts and lightweight jackets that can be layered with other pieces.

Dark colors are always best for travel, because they’re much better at hiding spills (which are a common travel hazard).  Make sure that whatever you take coordinates well with other items you’re packing.

Lay out your clothing and see what goes best together, taking into consideration comfort and durability.  Those skinny jeans are awesome, but are they comfortable?  Be brutal!

And that brings us to choosing practicality over fashion.

Be practical.

We know you want to look your best and put your best foot forward.  Just remember that you’re going to be very active for the duration of your trip.  That means sacrificing a little fashion in favor of practicality.

You may love your fashion items, but do those sneakers look like their going to stand up to all the walking you’ll be doing?  Are they going to stay looking clean after you’ve been tramping over a Civil War battlefield or through the streets of New York City?

Ask yourself.  Then give yourself an honest answer.

Junior Tours.

These basic smart packing tips for student travel in 2017 are offered in the interest of ensuring you have the best experience possible.  Packing economically for versatility and practicality is a reward in itself.

Remember – you’ll want to leave a little room for a few cherished souvenirs!

Junior Tours has been creating exceptional trips for students since 1967.  Contact us for a quote and sample itinerary.  Let us put the world at your feet!

Students in their senior year of high school are standing at the gateway to adulthood.  They’ve worked hard to get to this place and they’re gazing ever forward, into a future bright with promise.
What could be more appropriate to celebrate this shining moment than a senior trip?  There’s a big world out there and curious seniors are ready to explore before moving out into the world as adults.  Let’s review some of the top high school senior trip destinations in 2017.

Orlando, Florida.

Known as the City Beautiful and the Theme Park Capital of the World, Orlando, Florida is one our picks for top high school senior trip destinations in 2017.  This stunning city is the gateway to extraordinary theme parks and more of them then in any other destination on the planet.

With attractions like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida, your group is bound have a ball here.  Budding marine biologists can learn more about their passion at the famous SeaWorld Orlando.  The courageous can get up close and personal with Florida’s fearsome alligators at Gatorworld.

In addition, Florida’s nearby wetlands are not be missed boasting a wealth of flora and fauna to fascinate students.

New York City.

A perennial favorite for people of all ages, New York City is one of the most celebrated cities on the planet.  Its unending fascination derives from history, art and even the political intrigue of the famed hotbed of skullduggery, Tammany Hall.

The Statue of Liberty and her flame of liberty, welcoming “those yearning to be free” is just the beginning of the New York City experience.  NYC’s distinct neighborhoods and boroughs are alive with the American story – of dreams realized on the shores of our great nation and lives intertwined to create the tapestry that is modern American life.

Atlanta, Georgia.

Today a thriving metropolis, students of African-American history will turn to Atlanta as the birthplace of internationally-renowned Civil Rights leader and symbol of non-violent protest, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site is 35 acres of Civil Rights history.  Students will enjoy an encounter of Dr. King that encompasses the home in which he was born and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he preached as a young pastor before beginning his historic journey.

Walk in the footsteps of this American legend in Atlanta and encounter the living legacy of a man who changed the face of our nation by challenging its institutions.

These are just a small selection of top high school senior trip destinations in 2017.  The world is a diverse place, filled with wonder for seniors to explore as they move toward their futures.

Junior Tours – the world at your feet.

Since 1967, Junior Tours has placed the world at the feet of students, offering them unique educational experiences, finely curated to educator learning objectives.

Founded by a teacher, Junior Tours supports educators by offering them itineraries that speak to their vision for students.  Contact us for a quotation and sample itinerary.

There’s no question that student travel presents outstanding educational opportunities.  Students learn in a whole new way when you take them out into a world full of possibilities. But before you get them out there, you need to find the right student travel company.  There are so many to choose from, with a variety of focuses and service levels.  Finding the right one is key to the quality of your student travel experience.

Here are 5 questions to ask before selecting a student travel company.

1. Will my kids be safe?

It’s normal for parents to worry about sending their children off into the great unknown.  It’s not that they don’t trust educators and chaperones.  But they’re not going to be there.  If it’s the first time they’ve sent a child on a student tour, they may be apprehensive.

That’s why it’s key you find a student travel company with clear guidelines concerning security and support.  Will your group get 24-hour support, on tour?   Does the company have policies governing student conduct, with their safety in mind?

2. Is the itinerary flexible?

A quality student travel company tailors your tour to your group’s interests and learning objectives.  Cookie cutter models are rarely satisfying for anyone.

Choose a student travel company that’s biddable and flexible concerning your itinerary, to ensure that your students get the learning experience you envision.

3. How’s the hotel?

It’s key you ensure that your student travel company selects accommodations which are both secure and comfortable.  A good company should enjoy relationships with high quality, reputable vendors.  You should also be able to work with your tour company to select accommodations that put parents at ease.

Look for a tour company that works with centrally-located facilities with excellent reputations.  The quality of vendors and their relationships to your tour company tell a story.

4. What’s included (or not)?

Be sure to discuss pricing with your student tour company to ensure that what you see is what you get.  Are there hidden costs?  Are taxes included?  Are there optional “add-ons” and what do they cost?

Pay special attention to ticketing for attractions like museums and historical sites.  These can make a huge difference to the ultimate cost of your tour.  If students will be required to pay for tickets over-and-above the cost of the tour, you need to know in advance.

5. Lots of bus time?

You’re taking your students on a tour to provide an educational experience they’ll remember all their lives.  Make sure they’re not going to be sitting on a bus for large portions of it.

A quality student tour company will carefully plan your itinerary to give you the maximum educational bang for your buck and reduce time spent moving from place to place on a bus.

These are 5 questions to ask before selecting a student travel company.  Junior Tours is a family-owned business that’s being taking students places since 1967.  Contact us for a quote and sample itinerary.  Let’s talk about your student travel vision.

The history of the USA, with its epic battles and struggles for freedom, is vivid and right here, under our feet.  Putting your students into the very heart of history is a way to connect them with the past and teach them the lessons it has for them, both today and for the future.

Here, we talk about 5 places that will bring your history class to life, confronting your students with the living lessons of a vibrant history.

1. Williamsburg, Virginia.

This colonial city invites your students into the very heart of the American colonial experience.  With an interactive learning experience embodied in a faithfully reconstructed village, they’ll walk into the world of their forefathers.

Only miles away is Jamestown, where the Virginia Company of London sent an expedition to establish a settlement in the area – the first in the USA.   In 1607 this became the state of Virginia’s first capital.

2. New Orleans, Louisiana.

The vibrant history of the Crescent City is full of secrets and intrigue.  Its place on the banks of the Mississippi River made it an early trading hub for the southern states, encompassing the slave trade.

It’s also here in New Orleans that the Civil Rights movement effectively began when Homer Plessy attempted to board a “whites only” streetcar, provoking a landmark case considered pivotal in the history of the Civil Rights movement – Plessy vs. Ferguson.

3. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The city of brotherly love is where the dream of America was well and truly established, when the Founding Fathers set their hands to the seminal Declaration of Independence.

Here students can see the famous handiwork of Betsy Ross’s flag and the Liberty Bell, which first rang out the good news of America’s birth and freedom to its sons and daughters.  This rich site of American history will inspire your students and fill them with pride.

4. Washington, DC.

Nexus of the tremendous international power of the USA, Washington, DC is the seat of our nation’s government.  It’s here that Abraham Lincoln is memorialized in the eponymous monument and the nation’s business is done in the halls of the House of Congress, Senate and the White House.

The capital’s Smithsonian Museum preserves the legacy of the USA, from the gowns of the First Ladies of the USA, to the cultural treasures of our diverse nation.

5. Atlanta, Georgia.

In beautiful Atlanta, Georgia students can walk in the footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., experiencing him as a child growing up with the realities of Jim Crow and becoming a Civil Rights figure who would shake America to its foundations, transforming it forever.

See his childhood home and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, from where he launched his long and arduous battle for equality, with non-violent mass protests and marches.

Bring history to life with Junior Tours.

This list of 5 places that will bring your history class to life is just a sample of where Junior Tours can take you.  Contact us and let us lead your students through American history.