Educational Travel Programs

At the Center for Talented Youth, we recognize the importance of educational travel. Exploring new destinations, cultures, and ideas is a transformational experience. Your destination is not a location, but rather a new way of seeing things. As such, Family Academic Programs proudly offers educational travel programs to fully engage CTY families in authentic learning experiences. Although each adventure is unique, they all aim to introduce students and parents to the rich natural, cultural, and historical aspects of spectacular destinations spanning the globe. From the Amazon rainforest to the Neolithic sights of Ireland, participants will build lasting memories and wonderful friendships as they expand their worldview!

Please note: Our Educational Travel Programs are recommended for students in grades 5 to 12. However, younger siblings and Talent Search participants in grades 2 - 4 may be permitted to attend after a parent or guardian speaks with Family Academic Programs staff about the pace and content of the programs. Please read Educational Travel Policies, Terms, and Conditions. Deposits are required to reserve your space.

ARCHAEOLOGY IRELAND   ●   WHALE WATCHING CANADA   ●   HONG KONG & CHINA 

An Archaeological Journey of Ireland
Sunday, June 30 – Sunday, July 7, 2013
Ireland is a treasure trove for archaeology and history enthusiasts. Ancient villages, stone circles and Neolithic tombs make Ireland an exciting and fun place to learn. During this unique tour, we will literally uncover some of Ireland’s best kept secrets and reveal sites unknown to most tourists. A team of highly respected experts will deliver an absorbing, hands-on tour, exploring Ireland’s rich cultural heritage through the lens of archaeology. CTY families will experience the excitement of a real archaeological research excavation at the Blackfriary, uncovering the ruins of a 13th century Dominican Friary. We’ll visit the site laboratory to see what the excavation has discovered to date and learn the process of archaeological discovery from find to conservation to museum display. Your unique visit to Ireland will involve plenty of interactive activities, including canoeing the Boyne River past breathtaking archaeological monuments, weaving of hazel to experience how early Irish peoples built houses, knapping flint, enjoying a riverside BBQ with live Irish music, baking traditional Irish brown bread, visiting an Irish farm to learn about tending animals, enjoying a traditional Irish Céili, and beating out the rhythm of the jigs and reels on a Bodhrán (Irish goatskin drum). Join CTY for this opportunity to explore Ireland’s hidden cultural sites.

Program includes accommodations, meals according to itinerary, excursions and activities as per itinerary. It does not include airfare or other transportation to and from Dublin at the start or end of the program. Click here to download the complete itinerary and reservation information.

Price per person: $3,900 per adult ● $3,600 per child under 16

** Please Note: Registration for this program is nearing capacity. Please call our office at 410-735-6115 before registering. 

 BBC History Magazine in association with the Lonely Planet have listed Meath as one of the top 21 destinations worldwide to explore history. Click here to read the article.

 Keith Bellows editor-in-chief of National Geographic, names the archaeological project at Dominican Black Friar ruins in his recently published book, 100 Places That Can Change Your Child's Life. Read about it here.

USA Today mentions the School House Hotel among the top places to stay in Ireland! Read 9 hotels that will make you fall in love with Ireland here 

Belugas, Bears, and Blooms
Thursday, July 25 – Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Enjoy the rare opportunity for face-to-face encounters with one of nature’s most breathtaking events—the summer return of more than 3,000 beluga whales to Manitoba’s Churchill River. During CTY’s six-day expedition, you will have the unforgettable opportunity to observe the largest beluga whale population in the world at surface level. This program includes fascinating field presentations, local history and culture exploration, a dog-cart experience, and a Tundra buggy ride. The adventure begins in the multicultural city of Winnipeg. During a guided tour, participants will marvel at the city’s rich highlights, including stunning turn-of-the-century architecture and historical sites. Take a short flight to the remote outpost of Churchill, accessible only by air or rail. During our stay, participants travel back in time to learn about the Inuit and fur trading history. Evening cultural programs, such as bonfires, story-telling, and arts and crafts, introduce participants to native Inuit and Métis culture. Two whale watching expeditions put you front and center to the action. Zodiac boats will provide CTY families with an amazingly close encounter with these curious and gentle belugas. Meet a local dog sledding expert, and learn about dog handling philosophy while enjoying a afternoon dog cart excursion. Become explorers for a day on an authentic Tundra Buggy, in search of caribou, arctic fox, ptarmigan, and—if we are lucky—a polar bear or two near the Hudson Bay shore. Get set for a once-in-a-lifetime Arctic summer experience that blends history, science, and culture.

Program includes accommodations, flights between Winnipeg and Churchill, meals according to itinerary, excursions and activities as per itinerary. It does not include airfare or other transportation to and from Winnigpeg at the start or end of the program. Click here to download the complete itinerary and reservation information.

Price per person: $3,975 adults and children. Registration for this program is nearing capacity.

Click here to watch Beluga Whales in Churchill River, Manitoba!

Everyday China: Through the Eyes of the People **
Sunday, July 21 – Wednesday, July 31, 2013
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth is pleased to partner with The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) for a unique journey to explore Chinese life and culture through hands-on experiences. Designed exclusively for CTY families, this program will take you beyond the tourist-trodden paths for an extraordinarily intimate look at life in China. HKUST faculty and staff will provide insightful interpretation throughout the program as we engage Chinese people of many backgrounds through a wide variety of activities and face-to-face interactions. This program will compare and contrast the cultures of the cosmopolitan region of Hong Kong with those of Guangdong Province, an area along the South China Sea largely unexplored by tourists. We begin in Hong Kong with an introduction to Mandarin, a guided tour along Heritage Trail, and a visit to the Hong Kong Museum of History. In Guangdong Province, we traverse the region’s twists and turns, making our way to small historical enclaves and cultural outposts. You will visit Tianhou Palace built to worship the Taoist goddess of sailors, and local manufacturing industries to better understand the dramatic economic development in China. We’ll be treated to a rare visit with village elders, where we will learn about village life. Hands-on activities will explore traditional Chinese culture such as paper cutting, calligraphy, farming, and Wing Chun—a Chinese martial art emphasizing balance, structure, and relaxation. This isn’t your typical sightseeing tour. If you want an original, unique experience, join CTY and discover the natural beauty, culture, and engaging stories of China once one gets off the beaten path.

Program includes accommodations, meals according to itinerary, excursions and activities as per itinerary. It does not include airfare or other transportation to and from Hong Kong at the start or end of the program. Click here to download the complete itinerary and reservation information.

** Please Note: Registration for this program is now closed. Filled to capacity.

To speak with someone about these trips or to register, call 410-735-6115, 8:30-5:00 EST, or e-mail ctyfam@jhu.edu

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