2026 CSI Summer Conference: Teach Together

Field trips don’t have to be expensive, complicated, or reserved for a select few programs—they just have to be worth it. In this session, Trent Van Leuven shares field-tested strategies for planning and leading meaningful student travel experiences that connect classroom learning to the real world. Drawing from over a decade of experience leading trips across 50,000 miles, participants will learn how to design trips with purpose, secure funding through community partnerships and creative fundraising, and manage logistics without becoming overwhelmed.  This session goes beyond checklists to focus on what makes a field trip truly impactful: preparation, student ownership, and intentional reflection. Attendees will leave with practical tools, planning frameworks, and ready-to-use ideas that can be adapted to any program—whether organizing a local day trip or a multi-state experience. If you’ve ever wondered whether a field trip is worth the effort, this session will show you how to make it both doable and transformative.