Overview
Trace the history of the Civil Rights Movement and understand why one of the most groundbreaking modern music genres erupted from the Motor City, where the enslaved found freedom along the Underground Railway on their way to Canada. Students visit the Motown Museum and admire memorabilia from music legends like Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder. They’ll visit the Ford Rouge Factory and the Henry Ford Museum, where they can sit on the bus in which Rosa Parks’ stoic, non-violent resistance sparked the Montgomery boycott.
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Detroit, MI
Lunch
Ford Rouge Factory Tour
Go to the heart of the American auto industry in this five-part, multi-sensory factory tour. Learn how robotics and the introduction of assembly lines increased workers’ wages tremendously but came at a great human cost. Admire a 1929 Model A and watch F-150s being built before your eyes.
Detroit Course Leader-led walking tour
Get to know Detroit from the ground up on this tour honoring those who fought for progress. Stop at the Martin Luther King Jr. and Joe Louis monuments to learn how these influential figures used their voices to challenge segregation and advance racial equality.
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History guided tour
Journey through the deeply moving history of African Americans, from their origins and enslavement to the Civil Rights Movement and present day. Through exhibits like "And Still We Rise," gain a deeper understanding of the resilience, creativity, and strength that have shaped generations.
Motown Museum visit
Step inside the legendary studio where Motown stars like Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross began their careers, and feel music’s power to transform people and drive social change. Discover how Motown’s artist development program transformed raw talent into global icons, and hear behind-the-scenes stories from guides who bring the music to life.
Lunch
Detroit River cruise and lunch
Discover Detroit's role in the Underground Railroad on this river cruise tracing the route where tens of thousands traveled in search of freedom in Canada. Learn why this route became a vital pathway for those escaping slavery.
Second Baptist Church guided tour
Step inside these hallowed grounds, one of Detroit’s most significant Underground Railroad sites, and learn how faith communities and safe houses helped thousands of enslaved people reach freedom. Hear stories of courage, resistance, and moral leadership.
Detroit Historical Museum guided tour
Understand the industry, music, and social movements that shaped Detroit. Explore more than 300 years of history, walk along recreated 19th-century streets, once packed with workers seeking manufacturing jobs, and learn about racial tensions that led to the 1967 Detroit uprising.
Dinner
Rock n Bowl at the Garden Bowl
Day 3
Breakfast
Henry Ford Museum of Innovation visit
Lunch
Depart for home
Dinner
Already Included
Transportation to and 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
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Field Research Guide (Discovery Journal)
Scenes from Detroit
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.