#1 New York School Field Trip Destination

At Pocono Valley, we have a long history of serving schools that are looking for a scenic mountain setting in the Poconos. Pocono Valley is located only 90 miles from New York City and Philadelphia and is the ultimate setting for a variety of groups. We serve multiple school groups during the school year along with corporate retreats, team building events, retreats, weddings, and more.

We offer a multitude of new and exciting activities including Twin Pines Challenge Ropes Course which enables participants to build camaraderie amongst their peers. Enjoy PV’s private 40-acre lake with kayaks and pedal boats as well as swimming in our 2 Olympic size heated pools. All water activities are supervised by certified lifeguards and can be closed at your group’s request.

School Field Trip Basics

Budget cuts, standardized examinations, and increased workloads have reduced school day trips. The US Travel Association recently performed research with 400 individuals (balanced by gender, age, race, and income), half of whom had taken a learning trip as children, the other half had not.

Education excursions improve grades (59%) and graduation rates (95%) for all students, regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic position (12 percent higher annually). 89 percent said educational visits made them more engaged, intellectually curious, and interested in and out of school.

At Pocono Valley, we know the importance and value of holding a day trip for your students. A school retreat is a significant event in the life of a young child or an adolescent. It may provide children with the opportunity to form or strengthen lifetime friendships, acquire perspective, learn useful new skills, and gain a better understanding of their classmates, teachers, and parents. While there are many things that must come together for a great school retreat, one of the most crucial is the retreat location you choose. It can be the foundation for a good retreat if you choose wisely and strive to get the most out of its advantages.

Why Have an Outdoor School Field Trip at Pocono Valley?

Textbooks, worksheets, lectures, reports, and projects are the mainstays of the school year. Teachers and students alike work through this daily grind, day after day. Educational field trips allow a much-needed break from the daily routine and a host of other benefits to students.

By getting them out of the classroom and into the world, field trips to Pocono Valley Resort allow students to learn from experience, while teachers gain new insights on their students. Our mountain campus offers school field trips that are unique and exciting, creating lasting memories of the skills and lessons learned.

Hands-on Learning in Nature

Studies have shown that children of all ages learn better when they have opportunities for physical activity. Unlike visiting a museum or performance, school field trips held outdoors, like the ones at Pocono Valley, give students the opportunity to move their bodies, engaging with their environment in a way other field trips do not allow.

With activities such as sports, games, scavenger hunts, climbing towers and even zip-lining, students will be having fun while using both fine and gross motor skills and practicing hand-eye coordination.

During school field trips, students will be outdoors observing nature and wildlife in its natural habitat. You will see children listening and responding in very different ways than they would in the classroom, as their senses are full of new sights, sounds, and smells.

This type of trip also allows educators to connect with students on a different level; finding new ways to teach that will be more effective for each individual.

Because school field trips are led by professionally trained staff, teachers are able to stand back and observe the group as a whole, as well as individual students. Without the pressure of being responsible for the tour, you can examine group dynamics, and engage with individual students knowing the trainers and guides are keeping your class entertained and active.

At Pocono Valley, school groups are provided with professional guided tours and dedicated trained staff. By keeping group sizes small, wait times for the activities are short so that the students can gain the maximum benefits during their trip. Each student will receive personal attention, ensuring their safety, comfort, and happiness.

The goal is for each student to feel as though they have joined the Pocono Valley family, forging a group dynamic unlike any other experience.

Combining education, adventure, and nature into an unforgettable experience has provided countless students with lasting memories of their time. For many students, their trip to Pocono Valley is the highlight of the school year.

So Why Choose Pocono Valley?

Children will be encouraged to investigate, discover, work together, and learn about their surroundings, themselves, and their classmates during their time. The unmatched experience of school field trips at Pocono Valley keeps children engaged throughout their trip, learning new physical, social, and emotional skills.

Experience the Benefits

School field trips at Pocono Valley include lots of wonderful benefits like:

• Getting to spend a day in the beauty of nature

• Active and safe outdoor physical activities that are fun for all kinds of students

• Professionally trained leaders that help your day run smoothly

• Activities designed to encourage individual growth and teambuilding

• An intimate and relaxing environment that promotes good morals and family values

• And much more!

Every trip to Pocono Valley will leave you and your class refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of the school year with new-found skills and ideas.

Pocono Valley: #1 Field Trip Location for New York Schools

90 minutes from New York City, Pocono Valley is the #1 outdoor field trip location for New York Schools.

Pocono Valley offers 5 outstanding student packages to choose from! Whether it’s a single day or overnight stay, we have a package for your school trip. Located 90 miles from New York City and Philadelphia, we offer a wide variety of fun and exciting activities geared for students of all ages. We take pride in providing a unique combination of fun and educational experiences.

Pocono Valley’s experienced staff are stationed at each activity to ensure a great time for everyone! Delicious food is served buffet-style in our beautiful dining rooms.

For more of our exciting activities visit our ACTIVITIES page.