school trip to battlefields

A Specialist in Worldwide Educational School Tours & School Ski Trips

By completing the form you consent to our privacy policy

School Trips to WWI Battlefields

School trips to WWI Battlefields in France provide students with a direct encounter with World War I history. They’ll explore museums, memorials and preserved trenches to learn more about the conditions soldiers lived in and gain a deeper understanding of the historical significance and global impact of the War.

Choose one of the school trips below to view an example itinerary, excursion opportunities, sample accommodation options, and related learning links.

Experience the difference

Call us on:  01444 870100

Join our mailing list for the latest news and updates!

Selectschooltravel.com

Specialists in School Ski & Educational School Tours

Selectschoolskiing.com

School Ski Trips to Europe & Beyond

chateaudubaffy.education

Visit our Chateau in Normandy, France

selecttravelgroup.com

Travel Specialist to Europe and Beyond

School Travel Abroad

Telephone: 01444 870100

Email: [email protected]

Opening hours: Monday – Friday 09:00-17:15

Select School Travel Limited, Second Floor, 30 Church Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9AE

© Select School Travel. All rights reserved. Select School Travel Copyright.

Company Reg. No.09388257. VAT No.208830611

100% Protected School Trips

• EDUCATIONAL TRIPS

Battlefields & Historical

A truly moving place to visit

Our battlefields and historical tours allow children to understand the gravity of war, and appreciate the impact of WW1 and WW2 in Europe. From the remains of the Somme battlefields to those of Verdun and beyond, the World War One Battlefields in France tell of the terrible cost of War.

Ypres/Somme

WW1 Battlefields

Bring history to life, from planning to departure, organising your trip, detailed package information.

Battlefield & World War Tours

Looking to take your students on a First World War or Second World War Battlefields tour? Bring to life the invasion of France and the low countries and the Battles that took place on the Western Front at places like The Somme, Flanders and Ypres. Visit the concentration camps of Germany and Poland, the memorials, museums and cemeteries at Tyne Cot, Thiepval and Menin Gate, or take in the emormity of D-Day by visiting Normandy and the eerie Mulberry harbours that sit off the infamous beaches to this day.

We have a selection of specialist school group tours available that can help meet the needs of your study topics and course work. Led by experts, the Battlefield Tours below will bring to life the locations and realities of the Great Wars in France, Belgium and beyond.

Every Battlefield school tour can be tailor made to your requirements, allowing your student to get the greatest understanding of the monumental events that shaped our world history.

If you are looking for a visit closer to home, your group can find out about events like the Battle of Britain, and how the World Wars affected life here in Britain. We have a range of visits and workshops that can help you teach about WWI and WWII

Tailor make your trip!

Let us find a Battlefield Tour provider for your school.

Normandy Trips with Equity

Normandy is a great destination for a school tour offering options for Food Tech, Languages, and History students. subjects include the Norman Conquest, the Hundred Years War, both World Wars, the D-Day Landing Beaches and the Bayeux Tapestry.

Krakow-Brno-Prague

Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Central Europe on our Krakow-Brno-Prague Jewish History Tour. Explore centuries-old synagogues, poignant memorials, & vibrant Jewish quarters. A profound experience awaits-discover, learn, & rememb

History Trip to Auschwitz and Krakow with Equity

The importance of Auschwitz and nearby Krakow makes it a ‘must visit’ destination for schools. Explore the dark history of the Nazi concentration camps and the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Old Town in Krakow.

Krakow Battlefield and History

Battlefield & History Tours specialises in exactly that. Our Krakow tours are one of the most thought provoking tours students will probably ever do. The impact of being in Auschwitz can affect people in many different ways………………..

Krakow & Auschwitz History Trip

The tragedy of Auschwitz created by the Third Reich is a controversial and shocking topic. Adaptable Travel will help your students confront this significant part of WW2 on a bespoke school trip to Krakow, visiting Auschwitz and other Krakow sites.

Munich-The Rise and Fall of National Socialism

By the mid-1930s, Hitler's Nazi Party transformed defeated Germany into a nation envisioning global supremacy, hailed by many as a messianic force. This vision devolved into a catastrophic total war, ending in immense destruction and humiliation.

Art and history trip to Europe

Organise a history and art educational tour through Europe. An educational immersion in culture, history, arts and languages across several European cities.

Discover Berlin

Walk the Berlin Wall, stand at Brandenburg Gate, and delve into WWII sites. Visit iconic museums & palaces. Experience modern Berlin's art scene, trendy cafes, and vibrant culture. Make memories that bridge past & present!

WW1 Battlefields

Adaptable Travel will help you create a fantastic learning experience on your bespoke WW1 Battlefields school trip to Ypres and Somme. We offer our ‘Project Battlefields’ student and teacher resources, qualified guides who we hand-pick and more.

Somme-Lest We Forget 1

Battlefield & History Tours specialises in exactly that. The Somme are offers some great visits – the Lochnagar Crater where discoveries are still being made, Thiepval and the trenches at Beaumont Hamel where students get a feel for trench life.

Chateau du Broutel

The Chateau du Broutel is a stunning early eighteenth century French chateau in the northern French region of Somme. School groups can choose from five educational courses, mixing on site outdoor pursuits with French learning experiences.

First World War Battlefields Tour with Equity

Help your students understand the devastating conflicts of the past through WWI battlefield tours. Visit the cemeteries and monuments in France and Belgium as well as trenches and museums that bring this subject to life.

Berlin-WW11 & the Cold War

Battlefield & History Tours specialises in exactly that. Berlin offers a great opportunity to not only study WWII, but also the Cold War – excellent visit opportunities……

Normandy-Battlefield and History

Battlefield & History Tours specialises in exactly that. View the landing beaches from the view point at Point du Hoc and see how difficult it would have been to knock out the guns…… the whole area is full of interactive and immersive visits….

Ypres-Battlefield and History

Battlefield & History Tours specialises in exactly that. Ypres and the surrounding areas are filled with history and visits that bring the studies to life. Tyne Cot Cemetery, Sanctuary Wood, Talbot House to name just a couple of visits ………

Berlin History Tour - Adaptable Travel

Adaptable Travel’s bespoke school trips to Berlin offer a unique perspective on European history and the shocking impact of the Nazi’s and Third Reich. We'll enable your students to better understand this period of history on a school trip to Ber

Get school trip offers by email

Unsubscribe at any time, we won't share your email with anyone else, just send you all the best offers and inspiration for your next class trip!

Join us on Social Media

© 2024 PlanMySchoolTrip

Gettysburg Field Trip Itinerary for Educators

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and Gettysburg National Military Park are the #1 destination for Civil War-related field trips. This suggested itinerary will help you get the most out of your time at Gettysburg.

Before you go:

• Email the Gettysburg National Military Park Education Department at [email protected] or visit their website  to setup your itinerary.
• Show your class our Gettysburg Animated Map .
• Show your class our Civil War Animated Map .
• Utilize our Civil War Curriculum .
• Apply to the History Field Trip Grant Program .
• Contact your lodging and restaurant reservations to ensure everything is in order.

Responding to COVID-19:

• Before traveling, we encourage all field trip attendants to limit contact with others and quarantine for fourteen days if they are symptomatic and/or test positive for COVID-19 within fourteen days of travel.
• Be sure to research all relevant Pennsylvania and Adams County laws, regulations, and codes surrounding COVID-19 before your trip.
• During your field trip, ensure that if a chaperone, teacher, or student shows symptoms of COVID-19 that they get tested and safely isolate from others. 
• Following your field trip, we encourage everyone to monitor their symptoms and follow all local, state, and federal laws regarding COVID-19 upon returning home.
• Be sure to maintain excellent personal hygiene, set up open communication protocols, stay up to date on all openings and closures throughout the park, and provide teachers and parents with safety plans to manage COVID-19 related risks.

Ideal Itinerary if you are visiting for one-day:

Time: 4-6 hours

What to do:

Arrive at the Gettysburg Visitor Center and tour the museum exhibits.

• 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA, 17325.

Visit and view the famous Cyclorama painting. 

Take part in a National Park Service Ranger Program .

Hire a Licensed Battlefield Guide to lead your tour of the battlefield. 

Most importantly, enjoy your visit!

If you are visiting for more than one day:

Same itinerary as above for the first day in addition to the following:

Visit the Seminary Ridge Museum

• 61 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg, PA 17325
• Participate in one of their many educational programs .
• Stand where Brigadier General John Buford stood at his vantage point and observed the opening stages to the start of the three day long Battle of Gettysburg.

Visit the Gettysburg Heritage Center

• 297 Steinwehr Avenue, Gettysburg, PA 17325
• 717-334-6245
• Visit their interactive museum and one of a kind exhibits
• The Blank Handout
• Tour the historic town of Gettysburg with one of their guides
• Be a part of the interactive programs offered for large groups. ( Make reservations beforehand and organize a specific program )

Restaurants that serve groups:

• ​ 9 Steinwehr Ave, Gettysburg, PA 17325
• (717) 334-2100
• 401 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
• (717) 334-8838
• 90 Buford Ave, Gettysburg, PA 17325
• (717) 334-4816
• ​ 217 Steinwehr Ave, Gettysburg, PA 17325
• (717) 334-1100

Travel Tips:

Book your guide well in advance, they are in high demand and their numbers are limited.

Get started early in the day. Crowds are smaller earlier in the day, which will allow you to explore sites more freely. 

April-June are the busiest months for field trips. Sites and parts of the battlefield can be extremely busy.

The weather in Gettysburg can vary from extreme heat to extreme cold. Plan your wardrobe accordingly.

Long pants, walking shoes or boots, and a hat suggested for all visitors to the battlefield.

Sunscreen and bug spray are recommended. Ticks are a persistent nuisance on the battlefield. Be sure that all visitors check themselves for ticks during the warmer months.

You May Also Like

• 0330 838 4120
• Request quote

You are here:

• Destinations
• WWI Battlefields

School Trips to WWI Battlefields

The First World War was one of the bloodiest conflicts ever historically recorded and one of the largest wars in the world. The Great War, as it was known, was partly responsible for massive political changes that have stood strong to this day and the courage of the soldiers on the Battlefields of WWI is well documented.

Therefore, school trips to the WWI Battlefields will give your students a brilliant educational opportunity to really comprehend the events of 1914-1918. This educational tour will take you to some of the world’s most famous battle grounds, memorials and cemeteries in the Somme, Ypres and Verdun locations.

Dodengang - Trench of Death (Ypres)

Medical Evacuation Tour (Ypres)

In Flanders Fields Museum (Ypres)

Sanctuary Wood Trench Museum (Ypres)

Tyne Cot Cemetery and Memorial to the Missing (Ypres)

Menin Gate Memorial to the Fallen (Ypres)

Essex Farm Cementary (Ypres)

Vimy Ridge (Somme)

Lochnagar Crater (Somme)

Thiepval Memorial and Visitors Centre (Somme)

Newfoundland Memorial Park at Beaumont-Hamel (Somme)

Popular WWI Battlefields Itinerary

Top tips from our travel experts.

"As you step back in time with a local guide who will bring the past to life as you walk around the battlefields and trenches, pausing to reflect on the lives lost.  It is always made more personal for the group if students have a family connection, which they can look into. There is the contrast of Tyne Cot all prestine and white compared to Langemark with its black headstones.   Don’t miss the last post at the Menin Gate a very moving experience.  A lovely treat to finish a trip is a visit to the chocolate shop!"

Knowledge and Experience

• We continually invest in our teams product and destination knowledge to be able to offer you the best advice and support when planning your tour.
• We create itineraries are bespoke and individual to your needs
• FREE teacher inspection visits so you can feel completely secure when leading your group
• We're only a phone call away 24/7 whilst you are on tour

Safety and Assurance

• We are assured and founder members of the School Travel Forum.
• Our Learning Outside the Classroom accreditation ensures we have your safety at the heart of everything we do and ensures the highest possible safety standards.
• Externally verified Safety Management System
• Risk assessment guidance and advice

Financial Security

• Our ABTA membership ensures that we offer you and your parents the best financial protection available. 
• All flights sold in our packages are covered under our ATOL licence providing further peace of mind
• Committed to sustainable and responsible educational travel. Working to offset carbon emissions, reduce deforestation and provide wildlife habitats.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

• 01273 827327
• Get a quote
• Request brochure

WWI history trip to the Somme Battlefields, Northern France

A bespoke WW1 history tour of the battlefields and memorials of the Western Front taking in Thiepval and Lochnager Crater and staying at our own Moulin aux Draps residential centre near Boulogne.

• Voyager owned
• Key stage 2 - 4
• Evening entertainment

Visit the battlefields of the Somme for your history school trip

We will create a bespoke WW1 history trip for your school group to encompass the important historical sites and memorials of the first World War in and around the Somme. Most modern history curricula includes the impact and significance of the First World War and our battlefields and memorials school trips are the best way to bring the subject to life. 

Due to the importance of all students understanding  the impact and history of the First World War, many school groups include a day exploring the Somme as part of an Opal Coast cross-curricular tour or include this tour on our French language immersion programme.

The Western Front battle sites in and around the Somme, such as Thiepval and Lochnager Crater, can be arranged as a short trip staying at our own residential centre or combined with a visit to Ypres in Belgium to make a more comprehensive World War 1 battlefields history trip.

We can tailor your itinerary to your unique learning requirements, please contact us for a bespoke quote.

This is just an example of one of our history tours, please contact our specialists to create a bespoke itinerary for your teaching objectives.

• Board your coach and depart school for trip to Folkestone
• Eurotunnel crossing to Calais
• Visit a local bakery for a fun demonstration and the chance to sample some tasty pastries
• Visit the beautiful seaside town of Boulogne-Sur-Mer 
• Arrive at Moulin aux Draps residential centre
• Evening meal and evening entertainment with our resident animateur

Thiepval Memorial

• Newfoundland Memorial Park

Lochnagar Crater

• Fun and adventure at Rando-Rail 
• Cap Blanc Nez
• Dover Patrol WWI Monument
• Return Eurotunnel crossing
• Arrive back at school

Stay at Voyager's own Moulin aux Draps residential centre

Located less than an hour from Calais and within very easy reach of the stunning Opal Coastline, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Le Touquet, Arras and the WWI battlefields, our Moulin aux Draps centre is the perfect destination for schools looking for an affordable/short French language immersion school trip. The language centre is exclusively for the use of school groups meaning there are few distractions for students.

Our local French staff have considerable experience in looking after British school trips and catering for the needs of British teachers and pupils. The centre is contained within 22 acres of car-free French countryside, giving students plenty of space to run around and let off steam. Supervision is easy as the grounds are within view of the main building and teachers can relax in the evenings as the Voyager team will deliver a programme of evening entertainment for your students.

Click here for more information about this residential centre owned by Voyager School Travel.

Immerse yourselves in the French countryside as you pedal your way along a 10 km-long disused railway track in a 4-person kart! This fun outdoor activity is sure to be a hit among your students, especially if you’re travelling in the summer.

© David Nicholls

The largest British war memorial in the world is known as the "Memorial to the Missing". A moving tribute to the 72,000+ servicemen who died in the Battles of the Somme in WWI.

The massive carter was created by the explosion of a mine during the WWI Battle of the Somme. The site has since been preserved to act as a war memorial dedicated to the fallen soldiers.

© Monica Arellano-Ongpin

Bakery workshop

At a local boulangerie, a baker will perform a baking demonstration for your group in French. Students will walk away with a croissant and a pain au chocolat each!

© openroads.com

Boulogne-sur-Mer

Spend the afternoon in this historic port city wandering the charming streets, sampling the local seafood and spending some time on the sandy beach. Be sure to stop by the impressive cathedral.

Delville Wood Cemetery

This First World War Commonwealth cemetery is notable due to the fact that more than half of the 5,500 buried remain unidentified. The South African National Memorial also faces the site.

Somme 1916 Museum

Want your students to get a greater understanding of the lives of soldiers during WWI? This museum, where the exhibits are housed in tunnels 10 metres underground, is your best choice.

Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial

This WWI memorial is on the site where the British Army suffered their worst ever casualties in a single day. A bronze Caribou monument stands as the emblem of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

Étaples Military Cemetery

Étaples Military Cemetery is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in Étaples, near Boulogne on the north-west coast of France. The cemetery commemorates over 11,500 lives lost in WWI and WWII.

Musée de la Résistance

The Museum of Resistance in Bondues is housed in a 19th-century fort that was occupied by German troops in WWI & WWII. Students will learn about the lives of the fighters of the French resistance and how they worked with the British Intelligence Service.

Pozières Memorial

The village of Pozières was completely destroyed in the WWI Battle of the Somme. This memorial commemorates the more than 14,000 casualties of the battle and is a stark visual reminder of the scale of the loss of life for students.

© Timothy Shawn Hack

Vimy Ridge Memorial

The striking Canadian National Vimy Memorial is dedicated to the memory of the Canadian servicemen who lost their lives in WWI—particularly in the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Goat's cheese farm

Visit a local goat's cheese farm to meet the goats, find out how cheese is made and try some for yourself!

Our Somme WW1 battlefields school trips include:

• Board and lodging as specified in your itinerary
• A detailed itinerary with pre-booked excursions
• Your choice of return travel; coach travel, with ferry crossing, applicable tolls and taxes included, or return flights and overseas transfers
• Free teacher to student ratio approx 1:8 (coach trips) / approx 1:10 (air groups)
• 24-hour emergency support
• Comprehensive travel insurance
• Assistance with inspection visits

Extras to budget for:

• School to airport transfers and meals en route (if required)
• Visa charges and supplements for small parties, single rooms and additional adults
• Local tourist taxes which can only be paid in cash to the hotel
• Entrances other than those specified in your itinerary
• Hotel damage deposits

Ready-made resources to get your trip off the ground

These ready-made trip resources are designed to reduce your admin and help speed up the process of planning, promoting and getting approval for your trip:

• Battlefields trip letter to send to parents
• Battlefields poster to promote the trip to students
• Battlefields school trip presentation for parents' evening
• Battlefields school trip teacher testimonial
• Your guide to planning a school trip to the WWI Battlefields

Get a quote for this trip ✅

Receive a no-obligation quote for your group from one of our educational travel experts.

Other trips you may be interested in

WWI history school trip to Ypres & Belgium Battlefields

Visit the battlefields & memorials on this WW1 history tour to Ypres, Belgium

D-Day & WWII history school trip to Normandy

WWII history tour of Normandy to see important D-day landing sites first hand

WWII history school trip to Auschwitz & Kraków

Uncover the societal and cultural effects of WWII and the Holocaust

Cross-curricular school trip to Berlin

We'll help you make your trip to the German capital a hit with students

Bonfire seasonal special at le Moulin aux Draps, France

A great value autumn adventure at our residential centre in France + ski session. Oct–Nov 24

Christmas seasonal special at le Moulin aux Draps

French Christmas market trip with a ski-taster session at our Opal Coast centre. Dec 2024

Winter treats seasonal special at le Moulin aux Draps

A dazzling festival jam-packed with French delights at our residential centre. Jan–Feb 2025

School Travel

WW1 Battlefields 2 Nights

Three days in Belgium gives your pupils a chance to learn more about the First World War, also known as the Great War.

Visiting famous memorials, such as the Menin Gate, Vimy Ridge, and Tyne Cot Cemetery brings home the astonishing sacrifice of the soldiers of so many countries.

Go Back in Time to the First World War and Experience the Battle of Ypres

Our itineraries are suitable for students whose studies are focusing on the First World War in general, and the Battles of Ypres in particular. Let them gain an emotional connection with what took place and see how the soldiers coped during this horrific time.

We know exactly what to include in your trip and your personal tour organiser can also help recommend new places of interest to create the right tour for you. We have our ready-made tours such as this one or we can create a personalised tour from scratch just for you, just let us know your requirements.

Price from £ 231 PP

Get an online quote in seconds

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

• Travel by private coach
• Travel by train may be possible, please ask
• Return Dover-Calais ferry crossing
• 2 Night Bed and Breakfast accommodation
• Free itinerary booking service
• Meals as selected
• 1:10 free places for supervising adults

TAILOR YOUR TRIP

CALL US NOW ON 01384 398 888 OR  EMAIL US  TO DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS FURTHER

WHAT’S EXTRA?

• Entry to places of interest (we’ll send you all costs with your quotation)
• Travel insurance (Let us know if you want to include this)

LOOKING FOR BATTLEFIELD TOURS? WHY NOT TRY…

Normandy 4 Nights

Edinburgh 2 Nights

Request a quote.

• Two day Battlefield Tours
• Belgium & France
• International Relations 1870-1990 ... (+1 more)
• Guided Tour

Share this trip

Who's it for.

• Educational Guided History, Secondary School

Key Highlights

• Expert guide support
• Study the causes of the First World War
• Sample Itinerary

Trip Details

About this trip.

By the summer of 1916 the British Army held roughly 80 miles of front line stretching from the pastures of Flanders, through the coal fields of Northern France, to the farmlands of Picardy. Across these differing landscapes the living conditions and the nature of the fighting experienced by men on each side of No Mans’ Land would vary significantly.

On a two-day school battlefield trip with Anglia, your students will have the chance to:

• Compare the wide-open, predominantly rural, Somme battlefields of 1916, with the mud and devastation of the Ypres Salient
• Look at how the nature of the British Army changed as a result of its experiences through the Great War
• Consider the tactical and technological developments which were brought in as the war progressed

Our two-day battlefield tours also allow more time for personal pilgrimages, the opportunity for you to follow in the footsteps of individuals and units, and time for reflection at the various locations visited.

Your guided tour will incorporate the following key study themes to  support your learning back in the classroom.

• Causes of the First World War
• The nature of trench warfare
• Life in the trenches
• The role of women
• The uniform, equipment, and weapons of a British Tommy
• German cemetery ethos: the role of the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgrӓberfürsorge (VDK)
• The role of the Commonwealth and former Empire
• The ethos of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• Kitchener's Army and the Pals Battalions
• Recruitment
• ‘Going over the top’
• 1st July 1916
• The development of Mine warfare on the Western Front
• The Somme – a British victory? 

More Ypres visits

Typical key visits included in this itinerary 

• Lijssenthoek Causes of the Great War; 1914 battles; Ethos of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Empire troops; The role of women in the Great War.
• Bayernwald – German trench system The development of Trench warfare; Use of ground; Trench construction; Daily routine; Technology; Problems with trench fighting.
• Vancouver Corner Poison gas and its effects
• Poperinghe Military discipline in the Great War; Courts Martial; Punishment and executions.
• Hill 60 New methods of warfare; Mining; The use of Gas.
• Sunken Lane The Somme 1916; Kitchener's Army and the Pals Battalions; Recruitment; The Plan for 1st July 1916; 1st Bn Lancashire Fusiliers; ‘Going over the top’.
• Ulster Tower The Story of the 36th Ulster Division; Background to the Troubles: the story of Billy McFadzean VC.
• Auchonvillers An opportunity for the whole group to handle equipment and weaponry and for a member of the group to dress in Great War uniform.

Sample itinerary

Take a look at a sample itinerary

Your price will include

• Fully guided service
• Tailor-made itinerary
• An executive coach for your exclusive use
• Return crossings with ferry or Eurotunnel
• 1 free teacher place for every 10 paying students
• All entrance fees associated with your visit

Get a quote today and let’s start our journey together

Please select a type of trip below:

Need to speak to an expert?

The quickest way to speak to an expert

01253 441900

01279 658221

01376 574130

020 8335 4949

020 8335 4455

We just need a few more details

Your enquiry.

• Primary School
• Secondary School

Lastly, how should we contact you?

Please verify that you are not a robot.

Thank you for requesting a quote with

You’re one step closer to your trip.

Your Enquiry has been received by , our school trips provider.

We’ll get back to you within 24 hours via your email or by phone on .

There was a problem submitting your details.

Please contact us or try again later.

Support and resources for planning your trip

We have been operating school tours for over 35 years so we know a thing or two about planning a school trip. One of the benefits of this is that we have an abundance of knowledge and supporting documents to share with you. In our resources area you will find everything you need for your school trip planning:

• Frequently asked questions
• Parent letters
• Insurance documents
• Risk assessment documents
• Planning tips

Featured Resource

A Guide To Risk Assessment

You need to know you can book with a tour operator who has everything covered for you.

This guide will assist you completing your own risk assessments covering areas such as:

• What is a risk assessment
• Event specific risk assessments
• Emergency procedures

Still unsure? Contact our trip planning experts for help

Our team of history specialists will help you find the perfect trip for your group's study needs.

Share this trip page via link or email

Share By Link

Share by email.

Enter your email address and the email address of the recipient.

The battle of Langemarck, which was the third major attack of the Third Battle of Ypres, was significant for its high casualties, fierce trench warfare, and the creation of the "myth of Langemarck," symbolising the sacrifice and heroism of German soldiers amidst the challenging conditions of the Western Front.

In this guided battlefield tour of Langemarck, you’ll gain expert insight into:

• German cemetery ethos
• Slaughter of the Innocents
• Hitler’s 1940 visit
• Causes of WW2
• Reconciliation

Enquire about this trip

Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917

The Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, located in the former Passchendaele Château, is known for its historical significance, comprehensive exhibits, interactive displays, trench experience, educational programs, and memorial gardens, offering visitors an immersive and educational experience about the Battle of Passchendaele during World War I.

Complete with an accurate representation of a British bunker system, it presents an opportunity for school tour groups to handle equipment and weaponry, as well as the chance for a group member to dress in authentic Great War uniform.

Tyne Cot, the largest Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery, holds immense significance as a poignant memorial to the fallen soldiers of World War I. In particular, it honours those who fought in the Ypres Salient, and serves as a sombre reminder of the human cost of the conflict.

On a guided tour of Tyne Cot, your school group will gain expert insight into the following points in history:

• 1917: The 3rd battle of Ypres (Passchendaele)
• 1918: The end of the Great War
• Remembrance: With the option of wreath-laying

Newfoundland Memorial Park

Newfoundland Memorial Park pays tribute to the Newfoundland Regiment's valiant efforts during the Battle of the Somme in World War I, showcasing preserved trenches and the iconic Caribou Monument.

Highlights of a school trip to the Newfoundland Memorial Park include expert insight into:

• The Newfoundland Regiment on 1st July
• Preserved trench system
• An opportunity to walk across the battlefield

Thiepval Memorial to the Missing

The Thiepval Memorial to the Missing is a profound testament to the sacrifice of soldiers during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. It commemorates over 72,000 British and South African troops who have no known graves, symbolising the scale of loss and the enduring impact of the conflict.

On a guided tour of Thiepval, your school group will gain expert insight into the following themes:

• The Somme – a British victory?
• The impact of the battle
• A chance for reflection

Lochnagar Crater

Lochnagar Crater presents a rare chance to experience a preserved World War I site, created by a massive underground mine explosion during the Battle of the Somme, serving as a stark reminder of the destructive impact of trench warfare and the human toll of the conflict.

During this guided tour, your school group will gain valuable insight into the use of mine warfare in the Great War.

School trips to Ypres

Need something bespoke.

School trips to Ypres are ideal for students studying the WW1 in any capacity, from the warfare itself to the literature borne from the soldiers’ experiences, and even the history of medicine and its development during WW1.

All of this makes Ypres the perfect base for history school trips and English literature school trips to the WW1 battlefields in Belgium. And you can also choose to include a visit to the Somme , to further explore the lasting impact of the war.

We’ll work closely with you to tailor-make your school trip to Ypres to ensure that it suits the specific requirements of your group and leaves them with a greater appreciation of the scale of the destruction that the First World War left in its wake.

Read more about school trips to Ypres

Why visit ypres, explore the ww1 battlefields in belgium.

Ypres is a small town in Belgium that occupied an important strategic position during WW1. It stood in the path of the German’s Schlieffen Plan, as they intended to sweep into France from the north.

The Allies captured the town from the Germans in 1914 and it remained a focus for some of the most intense fighting throughout the war.

There are many fascinating sites of interest in and around Ypres that will bring this period to life for your students. Visits to war graves such as those at the Tyne Cot British Cemetery and memorials such as Menin Gate will bring home to your students the incredible number of lives that were lost during WW1. They’ll also be able to visit museums and recreated trenches, to learn more about the experiences of those soldiers.

Discover the experiences of WW1 soldiers

A school trip to Ypres offers plenty of opportunities for your students to discover what life was like for the soldiers who fought in WW1.

At the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, your students can see what the network of trenches and dugouts looked like and how they were used.

And at Talbot House, they can find out more about how soldiers managed to find some respite from the violence of the Western Front. The house is very much as it was during WW1. Your students will discover how rank was left at the door of this ‘every man’s club’ and they’ll see how important it was for soldiers to have the time to rest and enjoy some entertainment away from the fighting.

Understand the importance of remembrance

Many of the visits in and around Ypres are focused on keeping the memory of WW1 alive. There are many cemeteries, museums and memorials here to ensure that the world doesn’t forget the sacrifice of that generation of men who fought in the First World War.

This gives your students the opportunity to reflect on the importance of remembrance. Why do we still mark Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday? Why do we wear poppies? Why do we still make an effort to remember a war that ended over 100 years ago? All of these questions can be answered for them with a school trip to Ypres.

And, of course, not to be missed on a school trip to Ypres is the opportunity to take part in the moving Last Post Ceremony, which takes place every evening at the town’s famous Menin Gate. Some of your students will be able to lay a wreath as part of the ceremony, and this will be an honour that they’ll never forget.

WW1 Medical Aid School Trip to Ypres

School English Literature Trip to Ypres

School History Trip to Ypres

History of Warfare School Trip to Ypres, Waterloo & Dunkirk

School WW1 Battlefield Tour to Ypres and the Somme

Why Halsbury Education trips?

We build your trip around you.

Tell us your learning objectives, curriculum and budget and we’ll do the rest.

We’re trusted for a reason

We’re members of ABTA, ABTOT and the School Travel Forum. We also hold an ATOL and the LOtC Quality Badge.

Our Education specialists

Laura Lucas

Tour Consultant

Tom Moorhouse

Gaynor Mayor

Education Sales & Product Manager

Laura Martin

Language Sales & Product Manager

Emma Gray da Silva

Lou Della Rocca

Gail Biggins

Judit Eleod

Paul Hudson

Michelle Hallam

Caroline Hill

Gayle Flude

Vanessa Barbosa

Meet our education specialists and get to know more about the people committed to making your school trip the best it can be. 

Learn more about Ypres school trips

Read some of our latest blogs covering school trips to Ypres.

31 Mar 2022

Getting Back to the WW1 Battlefields

Find out what happened when Halsbury staff recently visited the WW1 battlefields.

03 Feb 2020

Our Visit to the WW1 Battlefields

A few of us recently visited the WW1 battlefields. Find out what we thought of the area, the visits available and the accommodation!

How long should we spend in Ypres on a school trip?

What's the best way to get around ypres, which visits are a must on a school trip to ypres, are there any free things to do in ypres, can i arrange a cross-curricular school trip to ypres.

Let's chat!

Electrostal History and Art Museum - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

Morning Carpool

23 Civil War Battlefields That Have Become Profitable Tourist Attractions

Posted: May 28, 2024 | Last updated: May 28, 2024

The American Civil War, a defining period in United States history, left behind numerous battlefields that now serve as poignant reminders of the past. These historic sites have been transformed into must-visit tourist attractions, where visitors can walk the same ground where pivotal battles were fought. Each site offers a unique window into the strategies, heroics, and tragedies of the war, enhanced by museums, reenactments, and guided tours. As stewards of history, these battlefields keep the stories of the Civil War alive, attracting history buffs and tourists alike to learn and reflect.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg is the site of the Civil War’s most famous battle, which turned the tide in favor of the Union. Today, it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually who come to explore its vast museum, witness reenactments, and walk the historic grounds. The battlefield also offers guided tours that delve deep into the strategies and human stories behind the conflict.

Antietam, Maryland

Antietam was the backdrop for the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with over 23,000 soldiers killed, wounded, or missing. Now a national park, the site offers a reflective experience with well-preserved landscapes and informative visitor centers. Each year, the park commemorates the battle with ceremonies and historical talks that attract history enthusiasts from around the globe.

Manassas, Virginia

Known for two significant battles, First and Second Manassas (Bull Run), this site marks the first major land battle of the Civil War. The National Battlefield Park now serves as a poignant educational resource with trails, exhibits, and live demonstrations. Tourists can explore the ground where generals first tested their mettle and tactics in the early stages of the war.

Vicksburg, Mississippi

The Siege of Vicksburg was crucial for the Union’s control over the Mississippi River and is now a celebrated part of the Vicksburg National Military Park. Visitors can tour the restored ironclad USS Cairo and the sprawling national cemetery. The park’s extensive network of trenches and artillery placements still tells the harrowing tale of the siege.

Chickamauga, Georgia

The Battle of Chickamauga marked one of the major Confederate victories and was known for its staggering loss of life. Today, the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park educate visitors on the complex maneuvers and strategies deployed during this fierce battle. The site includes a visitor center with extensive exhibits and a 7-mile driving tour that guides tourists through key battle sites.

Shiloh, Tennessee

This battlefield in southwestern Tennessee was the scene of a surprise attack by Confederate forces on Union troops. Shiloh National Military Park now preserves the site, offering tours that explain the bloody two-day battle that ensued. The park’s serene setting contrasts sharply with its violent past, offering a stark reminder of the cost of war.

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Fredericksburg is known for its December 1862 battle, where repeated Union charges were devastatingly repelled. The battlefield has been preserved as part of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, which also covers other nearby battle sites. It offers a comprehensive look at the urban and plantation fighting tactics with walking tours and a historic trail along the Rappahannock.

Fort Sumter, South Carolina

Fort Sumter is where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, igniting the conflict between North and South. Now accessible by ferry, the fort offers guided tours that detail its historic significance and the initial battle that took place. Visitors can explore the ruins and museum, which showcases artifacts and a detailed chronology of the fort’s role in the war.

Appomattox Court House, Virginia

This is where General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the Civil War. The Appomattox Court House National Historical Park is now a symbol of national reconciliation and offers educational exhibits, restored buildings, and live historical demonstrations. Tourists can walk the same ground where the final chapters of the Civil War were written.

Petersburg, Virginia

The Siege of Petersburg was one of the longest of the Civil War, lasting nine months and leading to the fall of Richmond. Petersburg National Battlefield today offers visitors insights into the siege’s tactics and hardships through trails, guided tours, and reenactments. The site’s preserved earthworks and trenches provide a visceral sense of the prolonged conflict.

Chancellorsville, Virginia

Known for General Robert E. Lee’s audacious and risky tactics, Chancellorsville is often studied for its brilliant military strategies. The battlefield is part of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, offering a detailed exploration of the battle via driving tours and interpretive trails. Visitors can learn about the daring maneuvers and the high cost of Confederate victory, including the mortal wounding of Stonewall Jackson.

Stone River, Tennessee

The Battle of Stones River was a hard-fought and strategic Union victory that boosted Northern morale. Stones River National Battlefield now features a visitor center with engaging exhibits and a memorial dedicated to soldiers on both sides. The park conducts annual reenactments and guided tours, making it a vital educational destination for Civil War enthusiasts.

Pea Ridge, Arkansas

Pea Ridge was the site of one of the most pivotal battles west of the Mississippi River, securing Missouri for the Union. The Pea Ridge National Military Park allows visitors to explore the tactics that led to this crucial victory through guided tours and interpretive signs. The battlefield is especially noted for its well-preserved terrain and panoramic views.

Franklin, Tennessee

The Battle of Franklin was among the bloodiest hours of the Civil War, known for its intense hand-to-hand combat. Today, the city of Franklin offers numerous historical sites related to the battle, including the Carter House and Carnton, both of which serve as museums detailing the tragic events. Visitors can also walk the five-mile battlefield loop, which connects key areas of the conflict.

Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia

This 1864 battle is famous for its brutal hand-to-hand fighting and significant casualties. Part of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, the Spotsylvania battlefield features trails and tours that recount the fierce engagements that occurred. Visitors can explore the infamous “Bloody Angle,” where some of the war’s most intense fighting took place.

Wilderness, Virginia

The Battle of the Wilderness marked the beginning of the Overland Campaign, known for its chaotic combat due to the dense woods. The site is now maintained as part of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, offering tours that highlight the challenges faced by both armies. The battlefield also includes exhibits that explore the environmental impact of the battle and its effect on subsequent strategies.

Wilson’s Creek, Missouri

Wilson’s Creek was the site of the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, marking a Confederate victory. Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield preserves this significant site and offers a museum, a driving tour, and walking trails. The battlefield is particularly noted for its reenactments and educational programs, which vividly illustrate the tactics and challenges of the war.

Cedar Creek, Virginia

Cedar Creek witnessed a dramatic turn of events with a surprise Confederate attack followed by a crushing Union counterattack. Today, Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park host detailed historical tours and reenactments that recreate the battlefield drama. This site is celebrated not just for its strategic significance but also for its educational programs that bring Civil War history to life.

Monocacy, Maryland

Often called “The Battle That Saved Washington,” the Battle of Monocacy delayed Confederate forces long enough to fortify Washington, D.C. The Monocacy National Battlefield offers a visitor center with exhibits and walking trails that guide tourists through key parts of the battlefield. It’s an excellent spot for those interested in understanding strategic defensive battles.

Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia

The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain was a significant part of the Atlanta Campaign, known for its strong defensive positions. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park now offers hiking trails that follow the original battle lines and a visitor center with detailed exhibits of the campaign. The park’s programs provide great insights into the strategic decisions made during the battle.

Resaca, Georgia

The Battle of Resaca was one of the first battles of the Atlanta Campaign, featuring intense fighting over two days. Today, the Resaca Battlefield Historic Site offers a preserved landscape with interpretive panels and walking trails that tell the story of this critical engagement. Visitors are drawn to the annual reenactment, which vividly brings to life the tactics and turmoil of the battle.

Fort Donelson, Tennessee

The capture of Fort Donelson was a significant early victory for the Union, opening the Cumberland River as an avenue into the South. Fort Donelson National Battlefield features a visitor center with educational exhibits, a walking tour of the fort’s remains, and views of the strategic river. The site is particularly poignant for its role in shaping the early stages of the river campaigns.

Sailor’s Creek, Virginia

Sailor’s Creek saw one of the last major battles of the Civil War, resulting in a decisive Union victory just days before Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. Today, Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park offers detailed interpretive trails and live historical demonstrations. This site’s preservation helps visitors understand the final desperate days of the Confederacy and the war’s closing movements.

More for You

Michael J. Fox celebrates lookalike son Sam's birthday with rare photo and tribute

“I’m gonna fail these people”: Despite His Iconic Performance in Fallout, Walton Goggins Was a Nervous Wreck The First Time He Embodied The Ghoul

'Big Bang Theory' Fans Congratulate Kaley Cuoco as She Announces Career Milestone

House votes to punish International Criminal Court

"Work harder for who, who gonna stop me anyway?" - Shaquille O'Neal responds to criticism he didn't work hard during his career

You Should Really Think Twice Before Killing That Earwig

Giant Facts About The Late Michael Clarke Duncan

13 Car Brands Mechanics Warn Are the Worst ‘Money Pits’

Texas hopes to start its own ‘anti-woke’ stock exchange to take on NYSE and Nasdaq

Average US household income ranked by state – see how you compare

JJ Redick Breaks Silence On Los Angeles Lakers Head Coaching Job

Archaeologists Found a Family’s 3 Ancient Tombs Filled to the Brim With Treasure

“It was the best part I ever got”: The Dark Knight Star Michael Caine Was Furious Over One of His Best Roles That Landed Him an Oscar Nomination

Joe Biden Suddenly Leads Donald Trump in Multiple Battleground States

The Court Ruling to Halt The Fearless Fund Fails Black Women

Using This 4-Word Phrase Instead of 'Thank You' Will Improve Work Relationships and Make You a Better Leader

How to clear the cache on your iPhone (and why you should)

Kyrie Irving Admits He Misses Playing With LeBron James Too

'You're Not Going to Do Me Wrong': Jeremy Renner Explains Leaving Mission: Impossible Franchise

Fact Check: Post Claims Kurt Russell Said Working with Robert De Niro Was Worst 6 Weeks of His Life. Here's the Truth

• Forms for Educators
• Apply for a discount
• Sign Up for Free

• Educational Technology

How to plan a school field trip

Steps to planning a school field trip

• Commit to early planning
• Decide on your destination
• Get buy-in from administrators
• Contact the site
• Arrange transportation
• Plan food options
• Recruit chaperones
• Prepare students for the trip
• Get permissions from parents

Students love field trips — especially since they break up the normal school routine — but they’re often stressful for the educators who have to plan them. Pulling off a successful school field trip requires an enormous amount of preparation and organization, but it all translates into a rewarding educational experience for participants that has a long-lasting, positive impact.

According to a study cited by the National Education Association , students who took part in school field trips had better grades and graduation rates from both high school and college. They also eventually earned a higher income than their counterparts who hadn’t participated in such trips as students.

The hands-on, experiential learning students get from school field trips delivers a lot of other benefits — like increased knowledge retention, a more developed sense of independence, access to other cultures that broaden students’ horizons, and the chance to bond with other students and create life-long memories.

And the planning part? It doesn’t have to be daunting if you start early. Plus, we’re making it a little easier by giving you nine tips for organizing a successful school field trip and 23 field trip ideas.

9 steps to planning a successful school field trip

1. commit to early planning.

The earlier you begin planning, the less stressed you’ll be if and when obstacles arise. There are a lot of details to iron out, such as

• Researching and selecting a destination
• Getting feedback from administrators, parents, and students on the destination
• Planning the educational portion of the trip
• Getting parental permissions
• Arranging transportation
• Figuring out a meal plan
• Recruiting chaperones

Giving yourself a long lead time will help you tackle any unexpected snafus along the way.

2. Decide on your destination

Do some initial research and brainstorm potential school field trip destinations based on your learning objectives and curriculum goals. Consider location, cost of entry and parking, the ages and number of participants, the duration (e.g., a day-long excursion or an overnight trip), and any other key details that factor into the selection of an appropriate field trip destination.

Once you come up with a couple of good options, get feedback from colleagues, administrators, parents, and, if appropriate, the students themselves.

3. Get buy-in from administrators

Once you’ve decided on the ideal location for your field trip, be sure to get clearance from the appropriate administrators before you discuss trip details with students. You don’t want to get their hopes up if the administration rejects your carefully laid out plans!

Share the costs, the benefits of the trip for students, the days and times for the trip, and any other relevant details to help get the administration on board.

4. Contact the site

Once you have a “yes” from the powers that be, get in touch with the site and confirm that your preferred days and times are available. Make reservations if necessary, find out about group rate discounts and cancellation policies, pay any required deposits, and verify the site is accessible to those with disabilities. You can also share the number of children that will be in attendance and the special needs your students have, if any.

If it’s possible, conduct a site visit before the trip to get the lay of the land, locate the restrooms, note where students will be eating lunch, and any other relevant information it would be helpful to know before the field trip.

5. Arrange transportation

Now that you know where you’re going and when, it’s time to plan how you’re going to get there. You’ll likely travel by school bus, but if your group is smaller, you might get there in staff vehicles or even via public transportation. If you’re using school buses, you’ll need to reserve them in advance to be sure they’re available the day of your excursion, and you’ll have to fill out the required forms.

6. Plan food options

Of course, a day-long outing is going to require some serious planning, because no one wants a bunch of hungry kids on their hands!

There are a few options for food. Students can bring their own lunches, which can make things easier for everyone. Or you can make plans to eat at an onsite restaurant or cafeteria if one is available (which you may be able to reserve in advance).

Then there’s the option of eating at a restaurant, which might be the least palatable choice, given that kids might get unruly, you or they will have to handle money, and ordering could take a long time.

7. Recruit chaperones

Depending on the age of your students and the activities you’ve planned, it’s best to have a ratio of at least one adult to every 10 kids. If the students are younger, you may want more adults present.

You’ll need to recruit and confirm chaperones at least two to three weeks in advance, and be sure you have a list of alternates in case a chaperone has to drop out for any reason. Be clear with your chaperones that this is an educational trip and clearly share what you need them to do.

8. Prepare students (and parents) for the trip

Once all of your plans are in place and everyone’s excited, it will be time to share trip details with students and parents, and let them know what’s expected of them.

Hold an informational meeting for parents to discuss trip details, chaperone information, and rules and expectations regarding students.

Share trip rules with students and be clear about appropriate behavior. Let them know what the day’s itinerary looks like, what to bring, what to wear, and what not to bring (for example, anything of value that could get lost or stolen).

9. Get permissions from parents or guardians and automate the process where possible

Gathering permission slips from parents for school field trips is essential. Jotform can help simplify the process. If you want some tips to make this easier, check out our guide on how to collect online permission slips from parents .

We’ve also made it easy to automate your field trip planning with all the forms, tables, and templates you need for a successful school field trip:

• Field trip interest form
• Field trip permission form
• Field trip approval request form
• Field trip signup sheet
• Field trip permission slip template

And last, it probably goes without saying that you should be prepared in case you run into any emergencies. Bring along an emergency or first aid kit, and keep a list of parent contact information on hand.

Now that you have your planning to-dos sorted, how about some field trip ideas?

23 field trip destination ideas

Here are a few destinations that would make ideal learning experiences for students, depending on your curriculum goals and objectives:

• Botanical gardens
• Nature centers, bird sanctuaries, and wildlife refuges
• State and national parks and other natural attractions
• County and city parks
• Farms, orchards, greenhouses, and nurseries
• Community gardens
• Historic sites
• Planetariums
• Art galleries
• Cultural centers
• Radio and television stations
• Newspaper or local publication offices
• Police and/or fire stations
• Animal shelters
• Behind-the-scenes theater tours
• State Capitol Building and/or county buildings
• Local businesses
• Colleges and universities

If an onsite field trip isn’t feasible, you can plan a virtual school field trip as an alternative. Many of the organizations above can provide this service via video, guest speakers, demonstrations, or other presentations. Our handy virtual field trip registration form can get you started.

Try Jotform

Because Jotform loves educators, we have special pricing plans just for you. Get started today and receive a 50 percent educational discount for any paid plan . We have three plans to suit your needs:

• Bronze costs just $34 per month and includes 25 forms and 1,000 monthly submissions.
• Silver is $39 per month with 50 forms and 2,500 monthly submissions.
• Gold costs $99 per month and includes 100 forms and 10,000 monthly submissions.

We also offer a 30 percent discount on Jotform Enterprise for educational institutions. This powerful multiuser plan allows you to create beautiful, customized forms and protect response data securely online.

Hopefully, these nine steps, plus Jotform’s many resources for educators, will help you plan a stress-free school field trip that has a long-lasting, positive impact on everyone involved.

Photo by Norma Mortenson

Thank you for helping improve the Jotform Blog. 🎉

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES

What is Educational Technology?

How to collect online permission slips from parents

11 best class registration software solutions for 2024

The 7 best student management systems

Using tech to keep students with food allergies safe

8 top trends in higher education to watch in 2024

How technology can facilitate teacher peer reviews

Create digital reading logs for students with Jotform

Automated schools: 7 school processes you can automate

How to create a remote learning plan

How to optimize an IEP meeting: 5 best practices

Top free software for students

6 Kajabi alternatives for offering online courses in 2024

How to share your student data with colleagues

3 Google Classroom alternatives to elevate online education for 2024

The best 26 teacher apps in 2024

LearnWorlds pricing plans: Which one is right for you?

Top 10 gamification apps for education

How EdTech supports inclusive classrooms

10 best K–12 student information systems

How teachers can use tech tools to manage IEP compliance

Free online tools for teachers, recommended by teachers

Gamifying your curriculum with Blooket vs Gimkit

20 questions to ask alumni

11 kindergarten teacher blogs that will inspire you (and make you laugh)

Online Forms: A Teacher’s Best Friend

Back-to-School Tips for Teachers: Collecting Student Data

Sending Your Graduation Party Invitations with Jotform

How to hold virtual parent-teacher meetings on Zoom

How to engage your alumni to support your school

How to review a scholarship application

How to Use Jotform for Education (Movie)

10 educators you should follow on Twitter

How to create personalized learning plans for students with undiagnosed disabilities

How to create an online lecture

School web design: 3 tips to engage students and parents

How to evaluate a teacher’s performance

The best 31 websites for teachers

How school counselors use data to help students succeed

Moodle LMS pricing: Which plan fits your learning journey?

How online tools provide more individualized lessons

Top scholarship management software

15 of the best classroom management software options

5 EdTech companies helping students and educators

The best software for teachers

The anatomy of a data-rich teacher evaluation form

3 Types of Feedback You Should Be Collecting From Your Alumni

Online learning vs traditional learning

How to create a successful virtual learning experience

Student survey questions: A guide for teachers

7 higher education apps to be more efficient in 2020

13 of The Most Common Online Forms for Higher Education

10 Schoology alternatives in 2024

Data privacy 101: How to safely use cloud tools this school year

Blooket vs Kahoot!: Comparing interactive learning platforms

How students and educators use Jotform surveys for research

How to create online progress reports for students

How to minimize the disruption of school campus tours

5 Jotform Widgets to Utilize This School Year

EdTech 2020: 5 classroom technology trends to watch

Use These Apps to Improve Your School’s Efficiency

LearnWorlds vs Thinkific: Which is best for online courses?

7 presentation tools for teachers

10 best student assessment apps for teachers

An overview of Google Classroom’s pricing plans for K–12

How to offer virtual office hours to your students

8 tips for using Zoom for online learning

How to improve feedback in the classroom

Educational Uses of Jotform

The benefits of admissions and enrollment management software  

How to track student progress

What is a learning management system?

Canvas vs Moodle: Comparing digital classrooms 

Top 5 online assessment tools for teachers

35 top course evaluation question examples

How to host a virtual open house for your school

The 12 best parent engagement strategies in school

Top 7 Quizlet alternatives in 2024

What’s the best classroom response system?

How to incorporate tech in the humanities

Can we talk? Better communication reduces teacher turnover

How schools should approach long-term data management

How to organize a read-a-thon fundraiser

Homework in digital classrooms

How to add a Google form to Schoology

Why is data important in education?

How student data helps teachers and administrators plan for continuous improvement

Formative and summative assessments: How the right technology enhances learning

Quizizz vs Quizlet: A close-up look at 2 top quiz tools

10 tips for healthy parent-teacher communication

Top 5 Kahoot! alternatives in 2024

How technology can help teachers recruit more parent volunteers

Quizlet vs Kahoot!: A comparative guide for educators

13 tech tools for teachers on a tight budget: The path to paperless

Remind vs GroupMe: Which student communication tool to use

4 tips to help you adjust to unexpected lesson plan deviations

How teachers do it: Saving time with tech tools

How to manage evaluations in education

12 of the best WordPress plug-ins for teachers

How to monitor student progress in special education

Send Comment :

MUSEUM AND EXHIBITION CENTER: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Student Voices: Pathways Trip to DC is Transformative

Undergraduate annika aristimuno reflects on an undergraduate trip to washington, dc to explore public service., share this story.

By Annika Aristimuno PPS/International Comparative Studies ‘26

Before departing for Washington, D.C., I thought my career path was clear cut. I was determined to follow in my mother's footsteps and pursue a career as an immigration attorney. Little did I know the Sanford Pathways program would throw my plans for a loop.

Participating in the inaugural Sanford School Pathways program was an enriching experience beyond measure. It was not just a weekend trip to D.C.; it immersed us in the dynamic world of public policy, revealing countless ways to make a real impact.

Our program began with a workshop at Sanford led by Professor Dani Zapotoczny and Professor Emeritus Tony Brown, which grounded our values and prepared us for the whirlwind of experiences to come.

Bright and early, we boarded the bus, ready for a journey that promised to expand our perspectives. Every moment brought fresh insights from thought-provoking panels with private-sector workers to illuminating discussions with Hill staffers and site visits.

Among the panelists, Jake Van Leer, an ACLU Voting Rights Project attorney, left an impression on me. He candidly shared the challenges of staying true to his passion for voter rights amidst the allure of corporate law positions—a struggle I relate to as a public policy student focused on immigrants and human rights.

His discussion about navigating a different career timeline struck a chord. I've been there—watching friends in consulting, finance, and tech receive job offers while still waiting for advocacy opportunities to open up. It can feel isolating as if you're falling behind somehow. But hearing Mr. Van Leer's story reminded me that marching to your own beat is okay.

Conversing with him afterward about deferring law school shed light on various aspects of the journey, offering insights into the pros and cons of deferring. His story reinforced the understanding that there's no singular "right" path to success—each individual's journey is unique. That’s something worth remembering when the pressure to fit in gets overwhelming.

'My Struggles Were Not Unique'

After a stimulating day of panels, the evening seamlessly transitioned into an alumni dinner. Guided by thought-provoking questions, our conversation centered on recent failures. As our discussion unfolded, I understood that my struggles were not unique. We all encounter setbacks and moments of uncertainty; it's just a part of the human experience. More importantly, these challenges are what shape us and propel us forward. Through shared experiences, I remembered that it's perfectly normal to stumble and fall because it's in those moments that we truly learn, grow, and ultimately carve our path to success.

Our group split into domestic and global policy tracks the following day, and we visited separate sites. On the Global Policy track, we had the privilege of visiting the World Bank and the U.S. Department of State. Before the trip, I knew little about these institutions, but I approached the visits with an open mind, eager to learn.

Hearing about the diverse roles at the World Bank across various departments left a lasting impression on me. One narrative in particular resonated deeply: Roshni Khincha's role in utilizing data to assess policies and drive infrastructure projects funded by the World Bank.

Listening to Khincha, I drew parallels to questions I've explored in my academic journey, particularly in an International Comparative Studies course where I examined wind farms in North Carolina. Through my research, I uncovered disparities between the promised economic benefits and the actual outcomes, such as the discrepancy between job creation during construction versus post-operation. This nuanced understanding of policy implementation and its real-world ramifications aligns closely with my Public Policy 301 class discussions.

What fascinated me the most was how seamlessly I bridged insights from my coursework to real-world applications during the panel discussions at the World Bank. It ignited my curiosity to continue analyzing complex systems and evaluating their efficacy in driving meaningful change. Perhaps in my future endeavors, I'll have the opportunity to examine initiatives like a rural school's female leadership program, discerning its impact on the local population and advocating for adjustments to maximize its effectiveness. This journey of connecting theory to practice excites me about my future career path.

Reflecting on my Duke education so far, I cannot overstate my gratitude for my comprehensive learning experience. Despite the challenges, like the 10-page paper I’m writing right now, I'm filled with a sense of fulfillment as I see the pieces of my academic journey falling into place. Through immersive experiences like the Sanford Pathways trip and professional insights, I'm confident that there are opportunities to pursue my passions and effect meaningful change.

Through immersive experiences like the Sanford Pathways trip and professional insights, I'm confident that there are opportunities to pursue my passions and effect meaningful change.

Annika Aristimuno

Related Stories

Laidlaw Foundation Gift Expands Research and Leadership for Duke Students

2024 Graduation Stories: Journalism at Duke

Sanford Celebrates the Class of 2024

• 0330 333 6090
• Request quote

Ypres & The Somme History School Day Trips - WWI Battlefields

Our First World War battlefields history day trip  is a great option for groups on a budget. Covering Ypres Salient and the Somme, our established First World War battlefields tour programme enables pupils to learn from a wealth of historical sites.

Addressing topics such as  medicine in warfare, military tactics and technology, volunteering and conscription and the role of women,  this is a valuble destination for your WW1 studies.

Prices start from £125 pp

NST Subject Expert

Price Shown includes

• Executive coach transport from & to school & throughout your stay
• Extensive group travel insurance
• Free place ratio of 1 in 8

Price shown is based on 40 paying passengers departing from selected departure points and is subject to availability.

On-tour support

Get even more from your trip with an NST History Subject Expert from only £10pp per day. 

Top visits - Ypres Salient

In Flanders Field Museum

This superb state-of-the-art, interactive museum is now an even richer experience with the updated larger museum. Covering most aspects of the war in Flanders, each visitor will receive a wristband that will take them on a journey in the museum through the eyes of someone who was there. Educational worksheets and study resources and workshops are available www.inflandersfields.be/en/educational-new

Sanctuary Wood Museum & Hill 62

Located close to the original front lines, this fascinating visit shows well preserved original British trenches and covered passageways, as well as a section of the underground tunnel system. The museum consists of two rooms housing many artefacts removed from the battlefields plus a large and rare collection of three dimensional photo images inside special viewing boxes.

Passchendaele Memorial Museum

Commemorating the 1917 Battle of Passchendale, this museum has been enlarged, with a new underground exhibition focusing on the battle, a network of open air trenches and a new remembrance gallery. A full day interactive platoon experience also available, please call for details.

Hooge Crater Museum and Trenches Experience

Offering groups a unique tour - original artefacts & full scale reconstructions of battlefield scenes can be found in the Museum Hooge Crater. With an extended collection of weapons from the period 1914-18, war equipment of all armies that fought during those four years of intense battles and photos, make this museum a true must-see! 

New for 2018 - Offering groups a unique tour - original artefacts & full scale reconstructions of battlefield scenes with newly completed trenches to depict a German and British trench in the exact original position between April – July 1915. We can reserve a time slot in the trenches just for your group, so you can explore them on your own. 

Hill 60 & Caterpillar Crater

The remains of two of the mines blown up at the beginning of the Battle of Messines lie here. The preserved battlefield around the Hill 60 crater bears witness to the ferocity of the fighting around this vantage point, which changed hands on several occasions.

Menin Gate & Last Post Ceremony

The largest and the most important of the British memorials to the Missing in The Salient, The Menin Gate holds the names of 54,896 soldiers of the British Empire. This memorial marked the start of one of the main roads out of Ypres towards the Front Line. Following a meal at a local restaurant, your students will witness the moving ‘Last Post Ceremony’ which takes place every evening at 8pm.

Langemark German Cemetery

A sombre, foreboding place; this cemetery contains the bodies of more than 40,000 German troops, over half of which lie in a mass grave. Here, your students will learn how Germany chose to remember its war dead and how their thoughts of war were shaped by the slaughter of the German pupil battalions by British regular troops in 1914, known as the Massacre of the Innocents, an important challenge to pre-war ideas of the glories of warfare. The entrance to the exhibition contains a memorial room dedicated specificallyto the dead of the Student Battalions. In the 1930s, the memory of this battle was incorporated into Hitler’s perverse Cult of the Dead. 

Tyne Cot British Cemetery

Tyne Cot Cemetery is the resting place of 11,956 soldiers, and the largest British Military Cemetery in the world. The panels in the rear wall hold the names of 34,888 missing soldiers.

Essex Farm Cemetery & Dressing Station

Probably most famous because of the connection between the preserved British bunker and the Canadian poet, John McCrae, this cemetery and the nearby canal bank, formerly the British Front Line, are also well worth visiting.

Talbot House

In 1915, this British soldiers’ club, known as ‘Toc H’, opened to all ranks. Today, Talbot House is a fascinating living museum depicting daily life in the club. Groups are also able to visit the recently renovated concert hall where many recreational activities and concerts took place. 

Bayernwald (Croonaert Wood)

German troops occupied this strategic position from late 1914. The site consists of a preserved German trench system, within which are several large concrete emplacements and two mineshafts. Information panels explain life at the Front.

Spanbroekmolen Crater

Spanbroekmolen Crater was created by the largest mine blown on June 7, 1917 at the start of the Battle of Messines in Flanders.

Lijssenthoek Cemetery

The story of the cemetery - the largest hospital cemetery in the Ypres Salient area with almost 11,000 victims, representing 30 nationalities - is told in this new visitor centre. The exhibition includes a photo and listening wall where stories from the war can be discovered.

WWI Medical Evacuation guided tour

Ideal for groups studying Edexcel’s Medicine and Surgery on the Western Front option, this guided tour follows the medical evacuation route of the 2nd Battalion of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment after their involvement in a gas attack on 5th May 1915.  

You will stop at places where their presence in the landscape is still visible. Not every casualty followed this route to its end. Some were patched up and sent back into battle. Some were beyond all medical help and ended their journey before they reached the hospitals behind the lines.

This excursion includes:

• Divisional Cemetery
• Hill 60, an authentic wartime landscape
• Larch Wood Cemetery
• The village of Dikkebus
• Reninghelst Churchyard Extension Cemetery
• Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery

Top visits - The Somme

Thiepval Memorial & Visitor Centre

This is the largest memorial to the British missing on the Western Front, containing the names of over 73,000 men who died in the Somme section before 20th March 1918 and have no known graves. The visitor centre houses an informative exhibition designed to aid understanding of the history of Thiepval during WWI.

Newfoundland Park

Undoubtedly one of the largest and best-preserved trench memorials on the Western Front. Just outside the park lies Hawthorn Crater, and within it are the ‘Danger Tree’ and remains of the British Front Line. The German Front Line can be seen across No Man’s Land. 

Lochnagar Crater

The result of a mine explosion on 1st July 1916, this is the largest surviving crater on the Western Front, and one of the most impressive sites on the Somme Battlefields.

Somme Trench Museum

The main British base town during the 1916 battle, Albert changed hands on several occasions. The damaged tower of its basilica, ‘the leaning virgin’, was a famous site on this part of the Front. Next to this is the entrance to a small WWI museum housed in a series of underground chambers.

Delville Wood Museum

South Africa’s major memorial to its dead of WWI. Delville Wood was also called ‘Devil’s Wood’ by the troops. After the war the wood was re-planted, but just one tree survives from the original woodland.

Tank Corps Memorial

Standing by the Albert-Bapaume road, this monument marks the spot from which the first tank attack in history began in September 1916.

Ulster Tower

Built as a memorial copy of the tower that the 36th Ulster Division had trained under in County Down, Northern Ireland, the tower marks the site against which the men of Ulster advanced on 1st July 1916. The northernmost 7km of the Somme Battlefield can be seen from here.

Accrington Pals Memorial

Constructed of Accrington brick, this striking and relatively recent memorial commemorates one of the best known of the Pals Battalions. It stands in a park dedicated to The Sheffield City Battalion which contains traces of the front line trenches, from which both battalions attacked on 1st July 1916.

Wellington Quarry

This fascinating museum has been created within a section of tunnels dug by the British Army during WWI, giving groups the opportunity to visit the underground network which played a key part in the Battle of Arras. Your group will descend 20 metres in a glass lift to take a guided tour. A great alternative to Vimy Ridge which can get booked up very early.

The scene of fierce fighting in 1917, when the Canadians successfully took the ridge from the Germans. Students can take a tour of the tunnels, trenches and the cemeteries.

Further develop your students’ understanding of the events of WWI, and allow them to look at the war from the perspective of the French forces, by extending your trip with a day or more in Verdun. Call our dedicated History tours team to discuss further.

Study themes

Edexcel GCSE

"Medicine in Britain, c1250 - present"

"Warfare in British society, c1250 - present"

"Conflict and tension: The First World War, 1894-1918"

Britain: Health and the people, c1000 - present"

OCR GCSE History A

"War and British Society, c790 - 2010"

OCR GCSE History B

"Britain in Peace and War, 1990-1918"

EDUCAS (WJEC)

"Empire, Reform and War, 1890-1918"

"The Development of Warfare in Britain, c500 - present"

Study levels

Educational resources.

Free educational study packs

In order to save you preparation time and ensure you and your pupils get the most from your tour, NST have worked with educationalists to provide downloadable resources to use before, during and after your tour.

Expert's comment

There could be no better time to take your pupils on a learning journey of a lifetime to visit the battlefields than during these centenary years. Our established programme, covering Ypres Salient and the Somme, enables your pupils to learn from a wealth of important historical sites and excursions and will help them understand the impact and the lessons left behind.

Jeff Garner, NST Educationalist History Programme Co-ordinator

Available from any location in the UK, our executive coaches are fitted with seatbelts, toilet facilities, air conditioning, DVD and reclining seats.

Giving you full support throughout

Before your tour

• Your own dedicated NST contact
• Bespoke tour itineraries
• Unrivalled local knowledge & expertise
• Curriculum linked visit programmes
• Great value for money - no hidden costs
• Free group leader inspection visits
• Risk assessment guidance
• Safety assured, transport, accommodation and visits

Whilst you're away

• Free educational resources
• Group-friendly accommodation
• Exceptional standards of coaching
• On-tour support from our reps on the ground
• Support & assistance from our specialists throughout your tour
• 24/7 support just a call away

On your return

• Priority rebooking services
• Rewarding your loyalty with our reward scheme
• You say, we listen - we're committed to continuously improving our tours
• School travel company of choice since 1967

Ukraine-Russia war latest: French instructors in Ukraine would be 'legitimate target', Lavrov says on visit to West Africa

Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, is on a tour in West Africa as part of a diplomatic push by the isolated Kremlin to forge new ties around the world. Meanwhile, an upcoming summit on Ukraine will reportedly aim to create a pathway for Russian officials to join future talks.

Wednesday 5 June 2024 19:00, UK

• Lavrov: French military instructors in Ukraine would be 'legitimate target'
• Ivor Bennett: Why is Lavrov in Africa?
• Ukraine peace summit 'opens door to limited talks with Russia'
• Remote-control stretchers on trial in Ukraine
• Big picture:  Everything you need to know about the war right now
• Mapped: The territorial situation on the frontline today
• Your questions answered: Are there any signs of an underground resistance in Russia?
• Live reporting by Guy Birchall

We're pausing our coverage for today but we will be back tomorrow with more updates.

Here is a rundown of the key developments today:

• Ukraine has used American weapons to strike inside Russia, according to an unnamed Western source;
• Joe Biden will hold talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Normandy this week during his visit celebrating the 80th anniversary of D-Day;
• Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has been visiting countries in Africa as part of an ongoing diplomatic offensive from the Kremlin;
• A former British defence attache has warned Russia's disinformation campaigns are "only going to get worse" as EU parliament elections and the Olympics approach.

You can scroll back through the blog to read all our updates from today.

A 26-year-old man of dual Ukrainian-Russian nationality has been arrested in possession of explosives after some of them detonated in a hotel room north of Paris.

The man was treated by fire-fighters after he "suffered significant burns following an explosion," on Monday, according to a source. 

A source at the French anti-terror prosecutor's office said they had taken charge of the case and opened an investigation on suspicion of a terrorist conspiracy. 

A subsequent search of his room led to the discovery of products and materials intended for the manufacture of explosive devices, the source added. 

France's domestic spy agency DGSI is handling the investigation, Reuters reports. 

Ukraine has used American weapons to strike inside Russia in recent days, according to a Western official.

The weapons were used under recently approved guidance from Joe Biden, allowing US arms to be used to strike inside Russia in defence of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second city.

The official spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Mr Biden's directive allows for US-supplied weapons to be used to strike Russian forces that are attacking or preparing to attack.

It does not change US policy that directs Ukraine not to use American-provided tactical or long-range missiles and other munitions to make offensive strikes inside Russia, US officials said.

Ukrainian officials had stepped up calls on the US to allow Kyiv's forces to defend themselves against attacks originating from Russian territory.

Kharkiv is 12 miles from the Russian border and has recently come under intensified Russian attack.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Qatar for talks with the state's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The Ukrainian president said on X that he planned to discuss Qatar's participation in a process of returning Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, as well as bilateral economic and security issues.

In March, Ukraine and Russia exchanged six children via Qatari mediation.

Earlier this week, Mr Zelenskyy made a surprise trip to the Philippines to thank the country for agreeing to participate in the upcoming peace summit being held in Switzerland.

A Russian-American man has been sentenced by a St Petersburg court to three-and-a-half years in prison on charges of "rehabilitating Nazism". 

Yuri Malev was arrested in December over social media posts in which he was alleged to have denigrated the Saint George's ribbon, a Russian military symbol of valour. 

One post reportedly contained "obscene language" and another other showed a picture of a corpse wearing the ribbon, captioned: "How to wear the Saint George's ribbon correctly". 

The court in St Petersburg said this showed disrespect for society and insulted the memory of the Great Patriotic War (the Russian name for the Second World War). 

Malev admitted guilt, according to the court. 

He was a graduate of the law faculty of St Petersburg University and had lived in the United States since 1991, according to independent Russian language media.

Baza, a Telegram channel with links to Russian authorities, said Malev was a resident of Brooklyn, New York. 

He reportedly entered Russia by bus from Estonia two weeks before he was arrested. 

Moscow routinely refers to the government in Kyiv as a "Nazi regime", despite Volodymyr Zelenskyy being Jewish.

Ukraine has been allowed to shoot down Moscow's planes over Russian territory with American weapons since the war broke out, the White House has clarified.

Ukraine "can shoot down Russian aeroplanes that pose an impending threat", national security spokesman John Kirby said. 

"And they have. They have since the beginning of the war."

The clarification was given due to confusion over Washington’s recent decision to relax rules on US-supplied weapons striking military targets on Russian soil.

Joe Biden gave authorisation for the strikes on a limited basis to help Kyiv defend itself against Kremlin forces advances towards Kharkiv.

Mr Kirby said he could not confirm reports that Ukraine had used US-supplied weapons on Russian territory for the first time.

He told reporters: "We're just not in a position on a day-to-day basis of knowing exactly what the Ukrainians are firing at what.

"It's certainly at a tactical level. So, I can't confirm that. I can tell you that they understand the guidance that they've been given."

By Ivor Bennett, Moscow correspondent 

Sergei Lavrov's trip to Africa is part of an ongoing diplomatic offensive by the Kremlin, running in parallel to its conflict in Ukraine.

Isolated from the West, Russia is trying to forge new ties and has found fertile ground in Africa.

There have been several coups in recent years that have ushered in anti-Western military juntas.

US troops were kicked out of Niger, for example, while the French had to leave Burkina Faso.

In both cases, Moscow was quick to move in as the new security guarantors, and their efforts clearly don't stop there.

This is the veteran foreign minister Lavrov's ninth visit to the continent since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Kenya, Burundi and South Africa were among his stops last year; this week it's Guinea, Congo and Burkina Faso.

In return for military support, Russia gains an ally - they may not support the war, but they won't criticise it either.

The Kremlin portrays this as the formation of a new world order, free from Western imperialism and hegemony.

But others say Russia are the neo-colonialists, painting this as a blatant attempt to expand their sphere of influence.

Ukraine's first deputy foreign minister has held talks with his Chinese counterpart in an effort to increase cooperation between the two countries, the Ukrainian ministry said. 

Ukraine's Andriy Sybiha also told Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong that he hoped China would participate in a Ukraine-led peace summit later in June. 

Mr Sybiha added that it could be "a good opportunity to make a practical contribution to achieving a just and lasting peace", the Ukrainian foreign ministry said.

A report earlier today (see 7.40am post) said that June's peace summit opened doors to "limited talks with Russia" - despite Russian officials not being invited.

Earlier we brought you news that Ukraine said it had shot down 22 of the 27 Shahed-type drones launched by Russia overnight (see 8.04am post). 

Now photographs have emerged of the aftermath of one of the strikes. 

Firefighters work to put out the massive blaze in the Poltava region.

As Russia opens a new front on Ukraine's northeastern border, the war has entered an important phase.

Readers have been sending in their questions to our senior correspondents and military experts for their take on the changing battlefield environment.

Today, Trevor Prew asks:

Are there any signs of an underground Russian resistance operating inside Russia, or can Russians openly criticize Putin, as long as they don't protest on the streets or mention the war.

Russia correspondent Ivor Bennett says:

In a word, no.

There wasn't much opposition to speak of in Russia even before the war, but now there's nothing left whatsoever.

All of Putin's political opponents are either exiled, jailed or dead, as are those with any connections to Alexei Navalny.

Those who dare to speak out are silenced.

At one end, are the long-time critics and opposition activists, like Vladimir Kara-Murza, the dual Russian-British national opposition who is serving a 25-year prison sentence for treason.

But at the other end are ordinary Russians, like the former schoolteacher Nikita Tushkanov sentenced to 5.5 years for comments he made online about Putin.

The crackdown on dissent seemingly knows no bounds and it's created a climate in which those who oppose the war are terrified to speak out.

They do exist - as evidenced by the huge turnout for Navalny's funeral. But that was a unique moment and is unlikely to be repeated anytime soon.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

N.J. marching band performing at D-Day 80th anniversary on ‘once-in-lifetime’ trip to France

• Updated: Jun. 05, 2024, 2:25 p.m. |
• Published: Jun. 05, 2024, 2:12 p.m.

Some members of Raritan High School's marching band at Omaha Beach in France, June 5, 2024. Photo courtesy of Ray Lahaye / Raritan High Schoolh School

• Rob Jennings | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

They were all born more than six decades after D-Day, the decisive invasion of Normandy beaches by the U.S. and other Allied soldiers that is considered the beginning of the end of World War II.

Yet, 24 members of Raritan High School’s award-winning marching band are making an unforgettably personal connection with history this week at ceremonies in France marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which was June 6, 1944.

Stories by Rob Jennings

• N.J. primary election results 2024: Middlesex County
• N.J. primary election results 2024: Monmouth County
• Powerball winning numbers, live results for Saturday’s $161M drawing

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Planned outage: Files stored in our eDOCS platform may be temporarily unavailable today from noon to 1 p.m.

Skip to Content

511 Travel Info

State Aid for Local Transportation

E-Scene June 2024

2023 Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Solicitation Summary

By: Steven Prusak, P.E., Active Transportation Engineer

On April 24, 2024, the 2023 Active Transportation (AT) and Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Infrastructure Advisory Committee convened and approved 20 projects for funding as an outcome of 2023 competitive SRTS Infrastructure solicitation. State Aid received 39 application submittals with a total request of $22.3 million in SRTS Infrastructure funding.

The 2023 AT and SRTS Infrastructure Advisory Committee established procedures and used specific criteria, including pedestrian and bicycle planning processes, demonstration of need and existing risks, potential to improve safety, project readiness and service to priority populations, to determine funding selections. Additionally, the 2023 AT & SRTS Infrastructure Advisory Committee considered geographic equity and entity equity across and among the following five selection pools.

• Cities of the First Class
• MnDOT Metro District Communities
• Greater Minnesota Counties and State Aid Cities
• Greater Minnesota Non-State Aid Cities and Townships
• Greater Minnesota Federally Recognized Indian Tribes

For additional information, please refer to the 2023 Program and Project Summary (PDF) for a full list of selected projects that shows the amount of SRTS Infrastructure funding, location of each project, and a state map of project locations. The 2023 Applications Summary (PDF) provides summaries of all applications that were received during the 2023 SRTS Infrastructure solicitation, including the reason why projects were not selected, when applicable.

A few friendly reminders for project selections:

• All entities received notice of project selections via email on May 14, 2024.
• All projects are required to follow the State Aid Process for project/plan approval, see State Fund Grantee User Guide (PDF) .
• All selected entities may begin the plan development process, including working with your DSAE to request a State Aid Project Number. Then, please email the SRTS Infrastructure SAP/SP number(s) to Steven Prusak for tracking purposes.
• Please remember to include within the subject line on all project email correspondence: program name, SAP/SP #, and local entity grantee name (For example: SRTS, SAP/SP XXX-XXX-XXX, ABC City).

We anticipate another SRTS Infrastructure Solicitation of up to $8.5 million to launch in Fall 2024. Additional information will be posted to the website below and announced via email in the months ahead. If you have any questions regarding Infrastructure Grants - Safe Routes to School - MnDOT , please contact Steven Prusak at [email protected] .

Thanks again to the 2023 AT and SRTS Infrastructure Advisory Committee and the entire State Aid team on a job well done!