What is a Program Leader Training Trip?
A Program Leader Training Trip is an exclusive, teachers-only trip to one of our popular tour destinations. Teachers tour a city for free and sit in on interactive training sessions to prepare for their upcoming student tour.
If this is your first time traveling on a North American tour with Explorica, and you have 15 enrollments for a flight group or 20 for a bus group, then you’re eligible for a free Program Leader Training Trip in Boston. Bring a friend or a fellow chaperone when you enroll 10 additional travelers.
For international tours, first-time teacher-travelers can qualify for any number of exciting destinations abroad depending on the number of students you enroll.
Five benefits of traveling on a Program Leader Training Trip
- Networking: The PLT is an excellent opportunity to network with other new Program Leaders from all over the country. Talk to each other and meet our Explorica program consultants in person!
- Training: Learn what to expect on tour from Explorica employees, veteran teacher-travelers, and one of our expert Tour Directors. Get a glimpse into what you and your students will experience when you explore the sites with other teachers.
- Mentorship: Meet a Teacher to Teacher mentor who will impart time-honored wisdom about how to run a successful travel program, things they wish they’d known their first time traveling, and much more. Get to know them and gain an excellent teacher resource.
- Easing your mind: We’re here to help, every step of the way. That means answering any lingering questions you may have, about every little detail. From student health to headcounts, fundraising, and more, the training trip is a prime opportunity to have any and all of your questions answered.
- Fun! Program Leaders don’t just get their questions answered; they also have a blast touring their destination’s biggest landmarks. This trip is for you—everything is free, and your Explorica family is here to make this trip and your student tour the best they can be. Enjoy yourself and thank you for choosing Explorica!
Here’s what teachers had to say about our recent Program Leader Training Trips:
The Boston orientation program was a great chance to collaborate with teachers from across the United States involved in student travel. Hearing everyone’s tricks and tips has me even more excited about my upcoming student tour. Plus, the Explorica staff showed us a great time in Boston!
–Kirby, History teacher
The PLT tour was definitely a game-changer for me! Learning from the Explorica team and the other teachers gave me invaluable information and set me and my students up to have a fantastic tour. I feel totally prepared now and am looking forward to a fabulous trip with my students this summer!
–Kelly, Drama teacher
I needed to feel what a trip like this would be like. I knew I’d be exhausted, but I didn’t know just how exhausted I’d be. Also, I felt so amazed by it all. It was great to get to take in the first leg of my future trip with other like-minded adults before we had teens onboard. I valued so much getting to see what the start of my student trip was going to be. I feel far less anxious because of this! Plus, I made a couple of friendships that I hope to continue through my years with Explorica. We not only helped each other but have similar interests, so we could form a collaborative tour in the future.
–Anonymous