Overview
Set out alongside your students to discover the vast mysteries of outer space on a thrilling space- and aviation-focused tour through Colorado Springs. Your group will explore the Mars Lander Lab at the Space Foundation Discovery Center, participate in a simulated lunar mission at the Challenger Learning Center, and learning from pilots during an immersive aviation workshop, where students will build and fly a drone.
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Denver, CO
Lunch
Travel to Colorado Springs, CO
Garden of the Gods visit
Explore the iconic red rocks of Garden of the Gods! Students will visit the Nature Center to learn about the park's unique geology before wandering through towering formations on the Perkins Central Garden Trail. The experience concludes with a brilliant sunset.
Dinner
Hotel check-in
Day 2
Breakfast
Space Foundation Discovery visit
Experience Science On a Sphere®, a breathtaking 3D global display! Students will witness real-time planetary data and stunning visualizations projected onto a massive globe, bringing Earth’s systems and celestial bodies to life in an immersive, high-tech classroom setting.
Mars Lander Lab at Space Foundation Discovery
In this high-stakes Engineering Design Challenge, students work in teams to build their own Mars lander. By applying physics and problem-solving, they must account for gravity and thin atmospheres to safely deliver a payload. It’s a hands-on aerospace engineering experience.
Lunch
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument visit
Discover an ancient world at Florissant Fossil Beds! Students will examine delicate fossils of insects and leaves preserved in shale, then trek to see massive, 14-foot-wide petrified redwood stumps. This visit reveals the incredible story of a prehistoric forest frozen in time by volcanic ash.
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park visit
Step into a subterranean world at Cave of the Winds! Students will journey through winding passages to learn about cave geology and history while witnessing stunning formations. It is a firsthand look at the slow, powerful work of water as it creates intricate stalactites and stalagmites.
Flying W Ranch Dinner and Show
Experience a night on a 1,400-acre working cattle ranch! Students will enjoy a classic Chuckwagon feast before a rousing performance by the Flying W Wranglers. With world-class western harmonies, this evening brings the authentic spirit of the American frontier to life.
Day 3
Breakfast
Challenger Learning Center visit-Simulated Mission Lunar Quest
Students step into a high-tech learning environment to conduct lunar experiments, test robotics, and design electrical circuits. This hands-on mission strengthens STEM skills as teams work together to solve real-world challenges on the moon's surface.
Lunch
Royal Gorge Canyon Bridge & Park visit
Stand atop America’s Highest Suspension Bridge! Students will marvel at this 1929 engineering feat, suspended 956 feet above the Arkansas River. After a documentary on the park’s dramatic history, an Aerial Gondola ride offers 360-degree views of the rugged gorge and Colorado mountain ranges.
Dinner
WhirlyBall Experience
Get ready for the ultimate team face-off! WhirlyBall is a high-energy hybrid of basketball, lacrosse, and hockey—all played from the seat of a bumper car. Students will work in teams to master this unique game of skill and strategy, navigating the court for a fast-paced, unforgettable experience.
Day 4
Breakfast
Aviation workshop
In this Aviation Workshop, students explore aerodynamics and FPV flight, build and keep their own drones, and end with an exclusive Q&A session featuring professional pilots.
Lunch
Manitou Springs walking tour
Explore Manitou Springs on a historic walking tour. Students sample naturally effervescent mineral springs, visit the Penny Arcade’s vintage games, and learn about the town’s past as a mountain health resort.
Pikes Peak visit via Cog Railway
Ascend 8,000 feet to the summit of Pikes Peak—the 14,115-foot giant known as "America’s Mountain." Students will ride the historic Cog Railway past cascading waterfalls and through Engelmann Canyon before reaching the peak.
Dinner
iFLY STEM experience
Dive into the STEM concepts of aerodynamics, gravity, and air resistance as you learn about the physics behind flight and wind tunnel design. Connect classroom theory to real-world applications by watching demonstrations, performing experiments, and enjoying an indoor flight experience.
Day 5
Breakfast and hotel check-out
Broadmoor Seven Falls visit
Venture into a 1,250-foot box canyon to see Broadmoor Seven Falls. Students hike to the base, climb the 224-step stairway or ride a glass elevator, and enjoy sweeping views of all seven waterfalls.
Lunch
Travel to Denver, CO
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 Colorado Springs Space and Aviation
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.