If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to travel with WorldStrides, a Discovery Tour gives you the opportunity to find out firsthand.
Designed for educators and program coordinators interested in exploring WorldStrides programs, our Discovery Tours provide a firsthand look at the experiences we create for school groups – from accommodation and meals to activities, educational opportunities and on-the-ground support.
In September, a group of educators joined us in Queenstown for four days of exploring, learning and experiencing some of the highlights a WorldStrides Snowsports program can offer.
What is a WorldStrides Discovery Tour?
A WorldStrides Discovery Tour is an opportunity to step into the shoes of your students and experience elements of our programs for yourself.
Throughout the trip, educators have the chance to experience a curated itinerary, visit accommodation used by our school groups, participate in activities and learn more about how our programs are planned and supported.
Depending on the itinerary, Discovery Tours may include experiences across a range of curriculum areas, including language, history, culture, performance and literature. Educators can also experience our LEAP (Learning through Exploring and Actively Participating) activities firsthand and see how learning can extend beyond the classroom.
Our Queenstown Discovery Tour included return flights, transport throughout Queenstown, accommodation, most meals and entry to itinerary activities, as well as the support of a Tour Director during arrival and WorldStrides staff travelling with the group.
Arriving in Queenstown
The tour began with a flight into Queenstown before the group headed to the waterfront for a Wānaka Māori welcome – a fitting introduction to the culture and history of the region.
That evening, everyone came together for their first dinner. Discovery Tours bring together educators from different schools and backgrounds, so these shared meals are also a great opportunity to connect, exchange ideas and get to know other teachers.
Experiencing a Snowsports program firsthand
Thursday brought one of the most anticipated parts of the itinerary: a day on the snow at Coronet Peak.
The group took part in a ski lesson before having free time to experience the mountain themselves, providing a firsthand understanding of what a school snowsports program can look and feel like for students.
That evening, WorldStrides team members Flick and Alana hosted a presentation over dinner, giving the group greater insight into WorldStrides, our programs and the support we provide to schools before, during and after their travels.
When travel doesn’t quite go to plan…
Anyone who has travelled with a school group knows that sometimes you need to expect the unexpected!
On Friday, strong winds meant The Remarkables was closed, with plans initially changing to another day at Coronet Peak. When Coronet Peak also closed, our team quickly adapted the itinerary.
After an early inspection of one of the accommodation properties we use for school groups, the group headed to historic Arrowtown, established during the Otago gold rush in the 1860s.
Here, they explored the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement and learnt more about the Chinese miners who played an important role in the region’s gold-mining history.
Following lunch in the Gibbston Valley region, it was back to Queenstown for another accommodation inspection. Seeing two different properties gave educators a useful behind-the-scenes look at the types of accommodation their students could stay in and the considerations that go into selecting properties for school groups.
While the day looked very different from what had originally been planned, it also demonstrated something that’s an important part of educational travel: being able to adapt when circumstances change.
Seeing Queenstown from above
With the clouds clearing on Saturday morning, there was time for one final Queenstown adventure.
The group travelled by gondola to Skyline Queenstown, taking in panoramic views across Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains before taking on three luge rides.
It wasn’t long before the teachers became the students again, racing each other down the track!
The timing couldn’t have been better, with the weather rolling in shortly afterwards and closing the track. The group then came together for one final lunch at Stratosfare Restaurant before heading to the airport.
It was an exciting, educational and action-packed four days – and a chance for our educators to see firsthand what goes into creating a WorldStrides experience.
Why join a Discovery Tour?
For teachers considering educational travel, there’s only so much you can learn from an itinerary.
A Discovery Tour gives you the chance to experience a destination for yourself, see accommodation and activities firsthand, meet the people behind our programs and better understand what your students can expect when they travel with us.
Most importantly, it gives you the opportunity to experience educational travel from a student’s perspective – learning, exploring, trying something new and making memories along the way.
Interested in joining a future WorldStrides Discovery Tour?
Get in touch with our team to learn more about upcoming opportunities and discover where WorldStrides could take you and your students next.
