FieldTrip250 Travel Scholarships
FieldTrip250 is a national initiative powered by Orange Sky Travel to help 25,000 students experience America’s 250th year where history happened. From Washington, D.C. to New York City to Yellowstone, we’re helping educators take learning beyond the classroom during the U.S. Semiquincentennial.
Additional scholarship funds are now available for select schools in the form of travel credits that help more students participate in qualified overnight field trips planned and provided by Orange Sky Travel.
Eligibility details and scholarship guidelines are listed below.
FieldTrip250 Student Travel Scholarships (Credits)
Travel scholarships have no cash value and may not be redeemed for cash, check, gift card, reimbursement, personal payment, or any non-travel purpose. They are redeemable only as a travel credit toward a US domestic, overnight (min. 3 days of travel) student field trip provided by Orange Sky Travel during the 2026/2027 school year. Our travel scholarships may reduce the full or partial trip cost for one or more students in your group. Travel scholarships are awarded and applied once group minimums are met for each specific trip.
The FieldTrip250 Travel Scholarship is a $2,500 travel credit provided by Orange Sky Travel to help more students experience domestic U.S. travel during America’s 250th anniversary year.
FieldTrip250 was created to help students experience America’s 250th year where history happened. Although the original educator contest closed on June 15, 2026, scholarship funding is still available for select schools so more students can take learning beyond the classroom during the 2026–2027 school year.
The purpose of these scholarships is to increase student participation in educational travel during this historic 250th anniversary year.
We believe more students should have the opportunity to experience meaningful domestic U.S. destinations in person—from Washington, D.C. and New York City to founding cities, national parks, military history sites, cultural landmarks, and other places where students can connect classroom learning to the real world.
These scholarships are designed to help reduce cost barriers so more students can participate in overnight field trips.
Each scholarship certificate is issued to a selected school principal.
The principal may award the $2,500 travel credit to one qualifying student group at their school that is planning an eligible overnight field trip with Orange Sky Travel.
The principal may select any qualifying student group at their school, as long as the trip meets the eligibility requirements.
Eligible groups may include grade-level groups, band, chorus, orchestra, theatre, student leadership, Beta Club, robotics, STEM, history, government, civics, JROTC, or other school-based student groups planning an overnight field trip.
To qualify, the trip must be a new overnight (min. 3 days of travel) student field trip planned and provided by Orange Sky Travel during the 2026–2027 school year.
Eligible trips must include:
- Domestic U.S. student travel
- At least three (3) total days of travel
- At least 25 student travelers
- A school-based student group
- Trip planning, booking, and payments collected through Orange Sky Travel
Final eligibility is subject to Orange Sky Travel approval. Sample field trip itineraries can be found here.
The $2,500 scholarship may be used as a travel credit toward one qualified overnight student field trip that takes place during the 2026/2027 school year.
The credit may be used to reduce the overall trip cost for the group or to cover all or part of the trip cost for one or more students selected by the principal, educator, or school.
The goal is to help increase student participation and make the trip more achievable for families.
That is okay. The scholarship may reduce the full or partial cost for one or more students in the group.
For example, a school may choose to use the $2,500 credit to fully cover one student or partially support several students. The educator and school may recommend the best use of the scholarship based on student need and participation goals.
Yes. Orange Sky Travel can provide personal donation links for registered travelers.
Each student may receive a secure donation link to share with grandparents, relatives, neighbors, church members, family friends, and community supporters. Donations made through a student’s personal link go directly toward that student’s trip balance, helping families lower out-of-pocket costs while reducing collection work for teachers and school offices.
To redeem a scholarship certificate, the principal, educator, or school representative should complete Plan My Trip form and provide the certificate number listed on the certificate.
After the form is submitted, Orange Sky Travel will review eligibility and contact the group leader to begin the planning process.
Final eligibility, trip details, travel dates, pricing, and travel credit application are subject to Orange Sky Travel approval, supplier availability, school approval, and applicable Orange Sky Travel terms and conditions.
Google Reviews
The Orange Sky Travel Difference
Orange Sky exists to make student travel easier for schools and more meaningful for students. We do that through clear communication, intentional planning, transparent pricing, and real support on the road—so teachers feel prepared, families feel confident, and students get the experience they came for.
Over 10 years of Student Travel
We’ve spent more than a decade helping schools plan and lead student travel with confidence. That experience shows up in the details, including better planning, smoother logistics, and trips that feel organized from start to finish.
Safety You Can Point To
Orange Sky runs comprehensive annual background checks on staff and carries specialized Professional Liability Insurance for Travel Agents and Tour Operators, so schools are not just told the trip is safe—they can see the structure behind it.
Handlers Who Travel With You
Every bus includes an Orange Sky Handler to help manage logistics, timing, and moving parts on the road. That means teachers can stay focused on students while a trained support person helps keep the trip running smoothly.