Educational Travel Programs

CTY’s Educational Travel Programs fully engage CTY families in authentic learning experiences at destinations all over the world. 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. 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 –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 for more information. Deposits are required to reserve your space.

To speak with someone about these trips or to register, call 410-735-6115, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET, or email ctyfam@jhu.edu,

Upcoming Programs

Naturalist Studies in the Highlands of Scotland – Beauly, Scotland

Saturday, July 7 – Saturday, July 14, 2018
Detailed itinerary for Scottish Highlands (PDF)

Discover the magic of the Scottish Highlands during this outdoor learning experience led by renowned author-naturalist Sir John Lister-Kaye and his team of rangers. Aigas Field Centre, set in the wild and rugged landscape of the Highlands, offers unrivaled access to the coast, lochs, mountains, and glens that make this area the most dramatic and scenic part of the United Kingdom. Through a variety of on-site presentations, hands-on activities, expert-led walks, and engaging projects, this program provides a unique view of Scotland's natural environment, ancient history, and contemporary culture. Lessons come to life during daily trips to various coastal and inland locations, including rugged coastlines, pristine lochs, sandy beaches, and castles. Weather permitting, we will enjoy a boat ride along the North Sea for a closer glimpse of seals, dolphins, puffins, guillemots, white-tailed sea eagles, and more. The week will finish with a grand farewell ceilidh, involving folk music, traditional dancing, and storytelling.

Whether observing a frolicking bottlenose dolphin, watching a summer sunset at 10 p.m., listening to melodic Scottish bagpipes, or enjoying afternoon teas and local culinary delights, families will build memories to last a lifetime.

Program includes accommodations, most meals during the program, and ground transportation between Inverness and Aigas Field Centre. It does not include airfare or other transportation to and from Scotland at the start or end of the program.

Price per person:

• $2,950 for adults
• $1,950 for students 16 and under

Register now

South Africa Odyssey

Sunday, July 15 - Monday, July 23, 2018
Detailed itinerary for South Africa (PDF)

"It is in your hands to make of the world a better place." - Nelson Mandela, calling on the younger generation to take up this task. Join CTY on this amazing odyssey and experience the wonders of South Africa where the history is rich, the culture is diverse, and the natural habitat is extraordinary. Our journey begins in Cape Town, where we will encounter places and people that provide insight into the "Mother City." July 18 marks the 100-year anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birth and we will be celebrating his life and legacy as we explore this vibrant city. This Rainbow Nation, composed of African, Asian, and European descent, will astonish you with the variety of cultures, languages and religions that triumphed apartheid. The species-rich landscape of Kruger National Park will be our next stop on this African adventure where we will learn about the conservation efforts to protect endangered species throughout the country. This is ideal viewing time when Safari visibility is optimal and birthing season is at its peak. During one of our many game drives/bush walks we'll be given the opportunity to come face to face with the Big Five: buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, and rhino. The program will end in Johannesburg.

Program includes accommodations, most meals, and internal transportation during the program. It does not include airfare or other transportation to and from South Africa at the start or end of the program.

Price per person:

• $6,150 for adults
• $5,995 for students 16 and under

Register now

Indochina Exploration: Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia

Monday, July 23 – Wednesday, August 1, 2018
Detailed itinerary for Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia (PDF)

Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth invites your family to join a memorable immersion into Indochina’s culture and history, through hands-on experiences with artists, chefs and village schools in authentic people to people exchanges. Learn from a Laotian mahout how to properly lead your elephant into the Mekong River for its daily bath. Explore with a local expert the limestone caves of Vietnam’s Halong Bay. Taste dragon fruit…climb down into an underground tunnel complex...climb on a temple at Angkor Wat. The list of immersive family activities during this program is an excellent way to widen your family’s horizons. Southeast Asia is ideal for multi-generational travel. It’s absorbing, unexpected, full of unique sights and learning experiences. We are accompanied by expert local guides throughout the program. Whether you’re chatting with a rice farmer, visiting the Fine Arts Museum in Saigon, or learning calligraphy from an expert, this is a family vacation none of you will ever forget.

Program includes accommodations, most meals, and internal transportation during the program. It does not include airfare or other transportation to and from Indochina at the start or end of the program.

Cost: $5,900 per person, Register now

Wild Wyoming: A Scientific Adventure – Jackson, WY

Friday, August 3 – Sunday, August 12, 2018
Detailed itinerary for Wyoming (PDF)

To help ensure a meaningful experience for CTY students and their families, Teton Science Schools has created an exciting itinerary of activities to connect you to the wonders of the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, each rich in its unique topography and ecology.

Throughout the program, you will have the opportunity to meet with and learn from expert scientists in the fields of biology, ecology, geology, and ornithology. You will be amazed by Grand Teton National Park, whose majestic mountain range, pristine lakes, and diverse wildlife comprise one of our country's most breathtaking natural treasures. Equally unforgettable are the wonders of Yellowstone, established in 1872 as America's first national park. Discover the ecology of plants and animals living in this mountain environment as we wind our way through these parks. Investigate the geological forces that shaped the region while hiking among geysers and hot springs. Ride the aerial tram at Jackson Hole to the top of Rendezvous Mountain.

Spend the day considering the role water plays in the ecosystem during a canoe trip on String Lake. Families will experience the magic of Yellowstone by day and by night during an overnight camping excursion. You will be amazed at the dazzling display of constellations, planets, and nebulae normally invisible to urban/suburban dwellers because of light pollution. Less than two miles from the charming town of Jackson, Teton Science Schools 900-acre campus is located in an open and somewhat secluded valley surrounded by creeks, ponds, aspen, and conifer habitats. Join us for this exceptional experience, organized exclusively for CTY families and absorb the grandeur of these magnificent parks.

Program includes accommodations and most meals during the program. It does not include airfare or other transportation to and from Wyoming at the start or end of the program.

Cost: $2,990 per person, CLOSED, Add me to the wait list

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