Overview
Step foot in the nation's oldest continuously inhabited European-established city and learn the story of America through the experiences of the Spanish who founded St. Augustine. Students will visit Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort, built of compressed seashells that caused cannonballs to bounce off it. There, they'll explore the clash and blend of Spanish colonial and Indigenous Timucua cultures and examine rich, maritime history at the lighthouse.
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to St. Augustine, FL
Lunch
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument visit
Tour the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, where six different flags have flown over more than 300 years. Learn about its rare walls made of compressed, tiny seashells that created a canon-proof barrier, and watch volunteers dressed in authentic 1740s Spanish military uniforms fire cannons.
Colonial Quarter visit
Experience 18th-century life as a Spanish settler, soldier, or craftsperson in this historic village. Costumed interpreters bring sights, sounds, and even smells of colonial life to life. Along the way, learn why this important city changed hands between Spain, Great Britain, and the United States, and how it shaped early America.
Dinner
St. Augustine Ghost Tour
Discover the haunted side of the nation's oldest city on an evening stroll along cobblestone streets that have seen nearly 500 years of military conquests, epidemics, and development. Listen to tales of the people who once took these same paths and learn what spooky secrets they left behind.
Day 2
Breakfast
Old Florida Museum visit
Discover the struggles and accomplishments of Florida’s people from prehistoric times to the present. Churn butter, make pioneer crafts, and watch interpreters reenact pioneer life. Travel back 400 years to learn how the Timucua people lived, then learn about Floridian’s current agricultural issues.
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum visit
Climb the spiral staircase in this working 1874 lighthouse for sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. Observe archeologists at work on maritime artifacts and explore a historic WWII spy station. Learn how the lighthouse’s distinctive flash pattern helped guide seafarers to the coastline.
Lunch
Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park visit
Enjoy the mineral-rich spring water at the Fountain of Youth, the site of St. Augustine's 1565 founding. Discover nearly 500 years of history, from the Timucua people and Spanish settlers to the United States. Learn about ongoing archaeological excavations, then take in the beauty of the flocks of peacocks that roam the grounds.
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 St. Augustine
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.