Overview
Bring your students to discover the rich natural beauty of coastal Maine on this journey through Acadia National Park. Your group can look forward to hiking along Cadillac Mountain, exploring the 400+ native plant species cared for at the Wild Gardens of Acadia, and taking in a private show at the Versant Power Astronomy Center & Jordan Planetarium.
Itinerary
Day 1
Lunch
Travel to Bangor, ME
Penobscot Bridge Observatory & Fort visit
Step back in time at Fort Knox, where students will explore the historic grounds and then ascend the Penobscot Narrows Observatory. Ride Maine’s fastest elevator 420 feet up for 360° views from the world’s tallest bridge observatory and explore its impressive engineering.
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Cadillac Mountain hike
Conquer the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard! Students will hike the North Ridge Trail, enjoying sweeping vistas of Bar Harbor, Frenchman Bay, and the Schoodic Peninsula. At the peak, the Summit Loop offers a 360-degree perspective of Acadia National Park.
Lunch
Jordan Pond visit
Stroll along the Jordan Pond Path, a scenic route featuring wooden boardwalks and gravel trails that hug the shoreline of Acadia's deepest lake. Students will enjoy perfect reflections of the North and South Bubble Mountains in the crystal-clear water.
Dinner
Downtown Bangor walking tour
Students stand beneath the 31-foot Paul Bunyan statue, then visit the iconic Stephen King House with its bat-and-spider gates. The tour continues through the Great Fire of 1911 Historic District, featuring Lumber Baron architecture and a statue of Hannibal Hamlin.
Day 3
Breakfast
Sieur de Monts Nature Center visit and hike
Dive into Acadia’s biodiversity at Sieur de Monts. Students explore exhibits on local ecology and Wabanaki culture and visit the Wild Gardens of Acadia with 400+ native plants from peaks to wetlands.
Hike Jesup Path Loop
Sand Beach visit
Relax at Sand Beach, a 290-yard stretch of sand nestled between Acadia’s rocky headlands. Students can beachcomb, wade in the Atlantic, or explore tide pools at low tide to spot crabs, sea stars, and anemones.
Picnic lunch at the beach
Ocean Path Drive: Thunder Hole and Otter Point Visit
Students stand on glacially polished granite cliffs at Thunder Hole to hear waves roar and watch water spout skyward. The visit continues to Otter Point for sweeping ocean views and clear evidence of ancient ice sheets.
Dinner
Planetarium at Versant Power Astronomy Center
Embark on an exhilarating journey through the cosmos at the Versant Power Astronomy Center! Narrated by Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o, this immersive planetarium experience takes students on an epic adventure from the Moon and Mars to the gas giants beyond the asteroid belt.
Day 4
Breakfast
Travel to Portland, ME
Casco Bay - Harbor Lights and Sights boat tour
On this harbor tour, students cruise busy channels for close-up views of Civil War forts and historic lighthouses, pass through scenic Diamond Pass, and learn about Maine’s rich maritime history from expert guides.
Lunch
Depart for home
Dinner
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
WorldStrides Course Leader - a dynamic destination expert who brings learning to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Field Research Guide (Discovery Journal)
Scenes from Acadia
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.